This map of Asia Minor and surrounding area was made by the Germans in 1914, which shows the traditional ethnic regions before today’s modern boundaries were imposed after the breakup of the Ottoman Empire. You can clearly see the Ottoman power base in Asia Minor. The Armenians are colored in blue, and have been since the advent of Christianity, Christians. You can also see the territory of the Kurds adjacent to and interwoven with the Armenians.
This is significant because the article posted about Turkey’s failed coup attempt which will only be repeated at some point in the future, this time successfully, mentioned Turkey’s animosity toward the Kurds. The Kurds have been wanting their own state separate from Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran for some time (their traditional territory fell partway within the modern boundaries of all these states). Kurds claim their descent from the ancient Medians, and were forcably converted to Islam during Islam’s career of Middle East conquest. Interestingly enough, the ten tribes of the northern kingdom were deported by the Assyrians to the cities of the Medians:
In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah and by the Habor, the River of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 2 Kin 17:6.
The shaded territory on the above map, especially that at the northern end of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, is the ancient homeland of the Assyrians.
18 “In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by the Lord of hosts; one will be called the City of Destruction.
19 In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border. 20 And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. 21 Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it. 22 And the Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians.
24 In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, 25 whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”
Isa 19:18-25, one of the unfulfilled prophecies remaining in Isaiah.
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