Bill Kochman has been teaching for many years that in ancient times, what today is known as the nation as Turkey, played a pivotal role in the First Century invasion of Israel. It may have been the home of some of the leaders who eventually followed and joined forces with the Beast in Israel. One key verse which led Bill Kochman in this particular direction is the following:
"And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."
Revelation 16:12, KJV
In the previous verse, the word "east" is derived from the Greek word "anatole". Pronounced an-at-ol-ay', this word also signifies the former name of Turkey, which is still used within the country even today; that is, Anatolia. There is even an Anatolia News Agency, for example. In other words, Revelation 16:12 could actually be saying "the kings of Anatolia"; that is, the kings of what we know today as Turkey.
To clarify, the name "Turkey" was never even used until about ninety years ago, when the nation acquired this name in honor of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who was an Ottoman and Turkish army officer who founded the modern, secular nation of the Republic Turkey. Ataturk was in fact the first president of Turkey; and until recent years, the nation was completely ruled by the military. While the military still has very strong sway in Turkey, the Islamists have enjoyed a lot of power and influence in recent years under Turkey's Islamist president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Many people -- that is, Christians who embrace a Futurist perspective regarding Bible prophecy -- assume that the kings of the "east" crossing over the Euphrates River signifies the leaders of modern oriental nations -- such as China, Japan, Korea, etc. -- crossing over the Euphrates River in Iraq, on their way to -- in their view -- the assumed Battle of Armageddon in Israel. However, even if this interpretation were correct, why would such nations even be interested in attacking Israel? It simply doesn't make any sense. It has long been Bill Kochman's personal belief that Bible prophecy centers around Israel.
In short, people who embrace this "oriental kings" scenario fail to recognize a few important points:
1. When John received the Book of Revelation, he was located on the isle of Patmos; which at that time was a Roman prison colony that is located in the Aegean Sea. If John were to look east, he would
not see China, Japan or Korea; he would see Turkey -- Anatolia -- which would be the land of the rising Sun to the east of him.
2. The head waters of the Euphrates River are in the eastern Turkey and Armenian region. The Euphrates River flows down through eastern Syria,
before entering northwestern Iraq. In short, the military leaders -- "kings" -- could conceivably have crossed the Euphrates River in Syria, in order to enter ancient Israel to engage in the Battle of Armageddon.
While Israel and Turkey previously enjoyed warm relations -- obviously for political, economic and military advantages -- relations have been cooling off ever since Israel attacked the flotilla that was headed for the Gaza Strip, which set sail from Turkey. Bill Kochman has long expected Turkey to double-cross Israel, and it now appears to be happening. It is important then to keep our eyes on Turkey, because it is important in God's Plans.