Turkey’s rising power and influence in the region cannot be ignored. Under President Erdoğan, the nation has pursued a neo-Ottoman vision, flexing its military and economic muscle from Syria to Libya.
In a striking geopolitical maneuver, Ukraine has recently inked a landmark deal with Turkey, turning away from a bold and controversial proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump. This decision, announced in early 2025, centers on the fate of Ukraine’s vast rare earth mineral reserves—resources critical to technology, defense, and the global economy. For Christians seeking to understand these events through the lens of faith, this moment offers both a call to prayer and a challenge to discern God’s hand in the shifting tides of nations.
The Ukraine deal enhances Turkey’s strategic leverage, granting it a foothold in the rare earth market—vital for technology and defense industries—while cementing its role as a counterweight to Russia. For the Islamic world, Turkey’s success could amplify its soft power, casting it as a champion of Muslim-majority nations against Western dominance.
As Christians, we are called to pray for all nations (1 Timothy 2:1-2), including Turkey, that they might seek peace and righteousness. Yet, this rise also prompts vigilance. A stronger, more assertive Turkey could shift the balance of power in the Middle East and beyond, potentially challenging Israel’s security or aligning with other Islamic powers in ways that fulfill prophetic warnings. While Ukraine’s choice may secure its immediate needs, it inadvertently elevates a nation whose ambitions could ripple into the spiritual realm, where the battle between light and darkness persists.
Ukraine’s Strategic Pivot
In a surprising turn of events in early 2025, Ukraine has forged a new economic and security partnership with Turkey, while firmly rejecting a bold proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump that would have granted America 50% ownership of Ukraine’s vast rare earth mineral reserves. This decision carries profound implications—not only for Ukraine but for the spiritual and geopolitical landscape of the region. As Christians who hold fast to the truth of Scripture, we must examine this development through the lens of God’s sovereignty and the prophetic currents that ripple through nations.
The Trump Proposal
Since late 2024, the Trump administration has pressed Ukraine to relinquish half of its rare earth minerals—estimated to be worth upwards of $500 billion—as a form of repayment for U.S. military and financial aid during Ukraine’s war with Russia. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered this proposal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on February 12, 2025, framing it as a quid pro quo for continued American support. For some in Ukraine, however, the deal felt more like a shakedown than a partnership. Zelensky, citing insufficient security guarantees and the overriding of Ukraine’s existing trade agreements, declined to sign, sparking a public war of words with President Trump and Vice President Vance.
While Ukraine has been siphoning U.S. taxpayer money to the tune of bigly American dollars, it has yet to offer anything significant in return to Americans. President Trump has an ‘America First’ policy, unlike Biden who has been following a more globalist agenda. This has prompted the question of what will America finally get in return for America’s support. There are no current treaties in place with America and Ukraine to keep up with Zelensky’s never ending demands. Some find it challenging to imagine how a country so dependent upon the aid of other nations, could be so stubborn when it came to sharing their natural resources in return for even aid already provided, much less any aid provided in the future. Yet, to Ukrainian Zelensky and his administration, America’s proposal smacked of exploitation—a demand that undermined national sovereignty and stewardship.
Major Update: Zelensky pivoted so fast to buckle under Trump’s offer, that he agreed to terms with Trump after article and video created.
The Turkey Accord: A New Ally Rises
In a swift pivot, Ukraine announced on February 20, 2025, a multifaceted agreement with Turkey, encompassing trade, military cooperation, and joint development of select mineral resources. Turkey’s deal reportedly offers Ukraine favorable terms: access to Turkish drones and technical expertise in exchange for a limited share of mineral outputs, alongside mutual defense commitments. This partnership strengthens Ukraine’s position against Russia while deepening ties with a NATO member that straddles Europe and the Middle East.
For followers of Christ, this shift invites reflection on God’s orchestration of nations. Turkey is emerging as a regional power broker. The agreement bolsters Turkey’s influence over the Black Sea region and its access to critical minerals, potentially positioning it as the most powerful Islamic nation in the area. Evangelicals might see echoes of biblical prophecy here—nations like Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38) often linked to modern-day Turkey in end-times discussions. While we must approach such interpretations with humility, this development stirs prayerful concern about the spiritual dynamics at play.
Turkey’s Military Modernization
Ukraine is looking for a deal that would allow it to retake Crimea. President Trump did not put that option on the table as far as anyone knows. However, this accord with Turkey may provide Ukraine some hope. Turkey’s plans for military modernization includes having an aircraft carrier, symbolic of a super power, among other plans that also give it the practical power of a regional military power house greater than it already is.
Magog Within Turkey: Potential Bible Prophesy
In the intricate tapestry of biblical prophecy, few subjects ignite as much curiosity and debate as the identity of Gog and Magog, figures central to the apocalyptic visions of Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 20. Among the various interpretations, a compelling case emerges that Magog, rather than being solely tied to Russia as traditionally suggested, may find its roots within the territory of modern-day Turkey. This perspective not only reframes the geographical context of these prophecies but also sheds light on how surrounding regions unite against Israel in the “last days,” as described in Scripture. By examining historical, geographical, and biblical evidence, this article explores Turkey’s potential role as Magog and the formation of a coalition poised to challenge Israel in an end-times scenario.
A Historical and Biblical Perspective
The name “Magog” first appears in Genesis 10:2 as one of the sons of Japheth, Noah’s son, whose descendants spread across regions after the Flood. Ezekiel 38:2 further describes Gog as “of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal,” providing critical clues to Magog’s location. Historically, Meshech and Tubal are widely identified by scholars as ancient peoples inhabiting central and eastern Anatolia—modern-day Turkey. The Assyrian texts from the 7th century BCE locate Mushku (Meshech) and Tabal (Tubal) in this region, a connection supported by historian Edwin Yamauchi and the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, which suggests Magog may refer to Lydia, also in Asia Minor.
Unlike the popular view linking Magog to Russia through the term “Rosh” (interpreted as a root word for Russia), a closer look reveals “Rosh” can simply mean “chief” or “head” in Hebrew, not necessarily a distinct place. First-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus identified Magog with the Scythians, a nomadic people who roamed areas including parts of what is now Turkey, further anchoring Magog to Asia Minor rather than the far northern reaches of Russia. Turkey’s position as a bridge between Europe and Asia, encompassing ancient lands like Gomer and Beth Togarmah (also mentioned in Ezekiel 38:6), strengthens the argument that Magog lies within its territory.
This interpretation is surprising because it shifts the prophetic focus from a distant northern power to a nation geographically closer to Israel, with a rich history of both alliance and enmity toward the Jewish state. Turkey’s modern geopolitical rise, coupled with its Islamic identity, aligns with the biblical portrayal of Magog as a significant player in the last days. If you point a compass directly north of Israel, you run into modern day Turkey.
The Surrounding Regions Unite Against Israel
Another possible reason that Turkey standing up against a super power in aid of Ukraine can be significant, is future biblical prophecy. Ezekiel 38-39 paints a vivid picture of a coalition led by Gog of Magog that unites against Israel in a time described as the “latter years” (Ezekiel 38:8). The prophecy lists specific allies: “Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—many peoples with you” (Ezekiel 38:5-6, NASB). These ancient names correspond to modern nations surrounding Israel, many of which fall within or near Turkey’s sphere of influence:
- Persia: Recognized as modern-day Iran, a vocal adversary of Israel and a key regional power aligned with Turkey in certain contexts. If there was something such as a revived Ottoman Empire that had the Caliphate, this would include Persia since it is an Islamic State.
- Cush: Often linked to Sudan or parts of Ethiopia, representing African nations south of Egypt with growing Islamic ties.
- Put: Identified as Libya, another North African state with historical instability and anti-Israel sentiment. Turkey just recently pushed back Russian forces from Libya.
- Gomer and Beth Togarmah: Both associated with areas in modern Turkey, reinforcing the centrality of this region in the coalition.
The phrase “from the far north” (Ezekiel 38:15) is relative to Israel’s perspective, and Turkey, lying directly north of Israel across the Mediterranean and Syria, fits this description more naturally than Russia, which is farther removed. This coalition’s unity is driven by a shared purpose: to invade Israel, plunder its wealth, and challenge its existence, as Ezekiel 38:11-12 states, “I will go up against the land of unwalled villages… to capture spoil and to seize plunder.”
Psalm 83 complements this narrative, describing another confederacy of nations intent on wiping out Israel: “They have said, ‘Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more’” (Psalm 83:4, NASB). This psalm lists groups like Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia—modern equivalents including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Palestinian territories—all geographically proximate to Israel and often aligned with Turkey’s regional ambitions. While Psalm 83 may depict a precursor conflict, Ezekiel 38-39 escalates the scale, incorporating a broader alliance under Magog’s leadership.
The Last Days Scenario in Scripture
The biblical “last days” framework ties these prophecies together. Ezekiel 38:16 declares, “It will come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog” (NASB). This invasion is not merely a military campaign but a divine setup for God’s intervention, as Ezekiel 39:6-7 promises, “I will send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety… and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore.”
Revelation 20:7-8 revisits Gog and Magog, depicting a final rebellion after the Millennium: “When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war.” While some see this as a distinct event, the recurring names suggest a thematic continuity—nations from Magog’s region, including Turkey, repeatedly opposing God’s people. So many seem to forget that the Bible says Satan uses Gog and Magog to deceive nations and to turn against Israel. For some reason, many seem to hold an opinion that it’s the other way around.
Turkey’s modern trajectory supports this prophetic alignment. Once a secular ally of Israel, Turkey under leaders like Erdogan has shifted toward an Islamist stance, vocally opposing Israel and advocating for Jerusalem’s “liberation.” Its alliances with Iran, its influence over Sunni Muslim states, and its strategic position make it a plausible leader of such a coalition.
Identifying Magog with Turkey reshapes our understanding of end-times prophecy, emphasizing a regional rather than a distant threat to Israel. The surrounding nations—spanning Turkey, Iran, Sudan, Libya, and others—unite under a shared hostility, fulfilling Ezekiel’s vision of a diverse yet coordinated assault. Scripture assures that this conflict, though formidable, ends in divine triumph, as God defends Israel to reveal His sovereignty (Ezekiel 39:21-22).
Conclusion
This perspective invites reflection on current events—Turkey’s rising power, its strained ties with Israel, and its partnerships with nations like Iran—without claiming absolute certainty. As believers, the call is to watch, pray, and trust in God’s ultimate plan, knowing that “the nations rage, but the Lord laughs” (Psalm 2:1-4, paraphrased). All while standing up to and even pushing back military forces of a super power, Russia, in Syria, Libya, and potentially through aid with Ukraine.
