ments to Albania. We must never forget that
Mohammedan pilgrims from India visit Jerusalem, just as
Christian pilgrims visit it from Europe. Lastly, Jerusalem is
profoundly sacred to the Jews, and the Jews are beginning to be
locally numerous and important. Most certainly there are no
elements of difficulty wanting in the problem of the future of
Palestine."

History records the fact that rivalry over the care of the traditional
holy places helped to precipitate one European war--that of the Crimea.

In the study of the Eastern Question, we have seen that the prophecy of
Daniel 11 marks Jerusalem as still a storm center in the closing scenes.
A British consul in Jerusalem, in the days following the Crimean War,
set forth suggestively his view of one of the factors in the Eastern
Question. He wrote:

"The very heart and kernel of the Eastern Question can only be
reached in the Holy City, Jerusalem, where the Eastern and
Western churches are still wrestling as of old for the
mastery.... Now as heretofore, disguise the object as they may,
they are striving for a prize which has not been destined by
divine Providence for either; and this prize is no less than a
virtual dominion over the Christian world, from a throne of
government within the sanctuaries of the Holy City; and the
possession of that throne would involve possession of the key
to universal dominion."--_"Stirring Times: Records from
Jerusalem Consulate Chronicles," by James Finn, introductory
note by editor, p. xxiii._

Foretold in Prophecy

By every consideration--political, racial, and religious--the Near East
supplies all the elements for involving the whole world when once the
sweeping displacements begin which the prophecy foretold, and for which
statesmen in our day have sought to prepare.

Long ages ago the prophet of God, in vision on the Isle of Patmos, was
shown the clash of interests and the gathering of the nations around
this historic center. Before our eyes today we see events tending to
give to this region the very character assigned to it by the prophecy.
It was written in the sure word of prophecy in order that, as the events
foretold are seen approaching, men may believe and turn to God, and find
salvation from the things coming upon the earth.

Into the prophecy of this sixteenth chapter of Revelation, describing
the gathering of forces to Arma