On Sunday I was in Istanbul – ancient Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire – alias the Eastern Roman Empire.
Istanbul occupies one of the beautiful positions in the world. Straddling the Bosphorus, the narrow strait leads into the Black Sea and gives Russia access to warm water ports.
Byzantium was selected by Constantinople as Nova Roma, the New Rome. In Bible terms it was the eastern leg of Nebuchadnezzar’s image (Daniel 2:40-45). Perhaps its most illustrious ruler was Emperor Justinian, mid 6th century. He codified Roman Law which is the basis of European law. He rebuild Constantinople after fires destroyed much of the old city. His greatest achievement was the Hagia Sophia (the Church of Holy Wisdom) with a high central dome. It was the largest church in the world for years.
Istanbul has been under the Turks since a dramatic siege in 1453. The Emperor, Constantine XI, died fighting on the walls with his men. His only heir and niece, Sophia, was offered two marriages, and she chose the rising leader, Ivan, in Muscovy. Among her luggage, Sophia took the royal regalia, crowns and beautiful carved ivory throne depicting the double-headed eagle on the back. This throne was ordered by Justinian who patterned some of his royal customs on King Solomon of the defunct Kingdom of Israel.
Of all the beast empires (outlined in Daniel 7), the fourth beast (Roman) was the most dominant and rapacious. It not only conquered, but tore in pieces and trampled every last vestige of those it conquered (Daniel 7:7). This is clearly demonstrated in its subjugation of Judea in AD66-70. Marching through the land from north to south, they took each town, while those who could escape, fled to the fortress of Jerusalem, the worst siege in history. The city was levelled according to the words of Jesus (Matthew 24:2-28).
The Romans regard the one who possesses the royal regalia as having the authority to rule. So from Ivan of Moscow and his wife Sophie, came the first Tzar of Russia. All the Tzars were crowned on the beautiful ivory throne of Justinian. Thus, say the historians, Russia became the legal heir of the Eastern Roman Empire. When the Muslims took over Constantinople, they closed the churches. The Greek priests left, taking their precious manuscripts with them. Within 5 years, Greek was being taught in the University of Paris, and the manuscripts were available for students. The Greek New Testament helped Martin Luther to see that the Church had changed Bible teaching. Latin had distorted the doctrine of God.
Islam however, absorbed the wisdom and sciences of the world of the East (the old empires such as the Babylonian and Persia) when the wisdom and culture flowed from the East to the West. It was not until after the Renaissance that the flow changed, from West to East. Recently a documentary has been produced which portrays two different worlds, different points of view, different perspectives. …between works inspired by revelation and the works that are the product of the human mind – the Prophet Abraham, the former, and Alexander the Great, the latter.”
Standing in the Hagia Sophia today (the Church of Holy Wisdom), the Muslims have plastered over many mosaics and erected huge circular plaques to honour Allah and his prophet Mohammed. When Russia occupies the city, she will do so as the Roman Eastern “leg” of Daniel 2:35, the eastern section of the revived Roman Empire (the modern EU). The Orthodox Church will be restored to its ancient pre-eminent religious position and then the Muslim plaques will be removed. But Russia’s occupation of Constantinople will be short lived. It is possible that Istanbul will share the fate of Rome (Revelation 18) when the Lord arrives to elevate Zion as the pre-eminent city of the world.