What’s Happening and Why Are We Excited About it? :: By Gene Dahler

ourCOG December 6, 2023 4:40 pm Uncategorized 1

This is a short commentary on what is happening in the world today and a perspective of what to look for in the near future.

People from all walks of life are wondering what’s happening in Israel, America, and the world in general. The briefest answer is simply this: THE BIBLE IS HAPPENING!

People are recognizing the instability of many factors of worldly life. Many are concerned about the future. According to some polls, as many as 60% of Americans believe we must be near the end of the world (we are not). Most remember when things were more stable, more comfortable, and although change happened even then, it was at a much slower pace. And because of that slow pace, we felt we had a better understanding of what was going on and were simply more comfortable with the situation. Those days are over!!!!

We are living in a time like no other in all of history. We are approaching a time just preceding a significant transition when there will be major milestone events. What we are seeing now is the beginning of some of those things that will happen when the next era starts. The born-again, spirit-filled, pre-tribulation rapture Bible believers will know that what is coming is called “the” tribulation. We are to be informing our friends and relatives, both saved and unsaved. Don’t be discouraged by their unbelief, as Jesus prophesied that what we are living today will be like the days of Noah. The masses will not understand (Mt 24:37-39), but a remnant will fully comprehend it.

Today, we are living in a time just preceding when the prophecy of Daniel chapter 9:27 will be fulfilled, and Israel will be given a 7-year period of time to accept their Messiah. During that 7-year period of time, Satan will do everything possible to prevent the Israelis from acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus described that period as the most devastating since the beginning. He said the period of time we are living in now will be like a woman beginning labor to give birth (Mt 24:8). As we get closer to the end, the birth pangs will become stronger and more frequent. World conditions will change, not slowly, but rapidly.

Check the timeline below. To understand what is happening, it is essential to understand where we are in time. We are nearing the end of the church era, and scripture says that we will see the events of the tribulation period “begin” to happen.

Most of the beginning tribulation events we are seeing now are disturbing and negative. But always remember what Jesus said, “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). This is not a time to be down, this is not a time to be anxious, but a time to know that you are observing exactly what the Bible said would happen and that God is in control amongst the noise, chaos and confusion of the events of this country and the world. Many pieces of the Biblical events puzzle are falling into place like never before in all of history. It is comforting to know that it is all progressing as described in the Bible and that our understanding of the truth of this time on earth is correct.

Perhaps this is one of the most exciting times a person could have ever been alive on planet Earth. You may not agree with that, but you have no option. You are here now, and you can’t escape as long as you remain here on earth.

To receive the peace, rest, freedom and power that Jesus and the Apostles promised, we must understand what the Bible says about what is happening. It is the ONLY source of information that is reliable today. Realize you are entering an uncharted time (check the timeline). No one has ever been here before!! We are witnessing things that have never happened before. Jesus is quoted 10 different times in the New Testament to be watching. What are we watching for? Signs of the “beginning” of the tribulation events which confirm we are in the season of His return and our redemption. It definitely appears we are there.

Jesus describes the beginning of the tribulation events of today to be similar to birth pangs in frequency and intensity. The current events we are witnessing today are just the beginning. Some of the events would be: a planned pandemic, lawlessness, wars, UFO activity, dominance of world organizations (WEF, WHO, etc.), censorship, floods, droughts, earthquakes, Israel (war, temple, red heifer), AI (artificial intelligence), antisemitism, anti-Christianity, racism, decline of America, illegal drugs, pro-terrorism protests, satellite communications, lack of a world leader, etc. All of this will be communicated by the media with continual distortion and deception. Expect the expanded publicizing of these areas to know no limitations in the near future.

Those hoping to return to what they consider the normal pace of life, perhaps like the 1970s or 80s, must realize that our timeline is a one-way timeline. There is no going back, only forward. To be comfortable during this time, you need to know the Bible and what is happening.

Our mission during this period of time is to share Christ with as many unbelievers as possible and to share the sequence of events in the Bible with our Christian friends who do not know about them. Do that now. Time is not on our side!!

So, why are we excited? Because we are about to become part of the most incredible blessing that God has ever provided to people on earth. Possibly in the not-too-distant future, this blessing for church-era overcomers will begin to unfold. What is an overcomer?

1 John 5:1-5 “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (scriptures quoted from NASB).

An overcomer is a born-again spirit-filled believer who keeps their faith in Jesus until their departure from earth. Jesus wants every believer to be an overcomer, which is why the Apostles focused on building up believers in faith through their New Covenant messages to the first-century church. The message is simply this; Be an overcomer.

Today, what does an overcomer have faith in? The answer – the promises found in God’s Word. The following is a brief list of some of the promises:

– Going to be with Jesus in heaven if their body should expire before the rapture (2 Cor 5:6-8)

– Receiving a glorified body (similar to Jesus) (Phil 3:21)

– Meeting Jesus at the redemption (rapture) of overcomers (1 Thess 4)

– In heaven being part of the greatest celebration in the Bible (Rev 5)

– In heaven being the bride at Jesus’ wedding (Rev 19)

– Returning to Earth with Jesus on white horses (Rev 19)

– On Earth, observing the victory at Armageddon (Rev 19)

– On Earth, reigning with Jesus for 1,000 years (Rev 20)

– Jesus promised the following to the church-era overcomers in His epistles;

Eat of the tree of life in the Paradise of God (Rev 2:7)
Jesus will give you a crown of life (Rev 2:10).
Jesus will give you hidden manna, a white stone, a new name (Rev 2:17).
Jesus will give you authority over the nations (Rev 2:26).
Receive white garments (Rev 3:5).
Jesus will not erase your name from the Book of Life (Rev 3:5).
Jesus will confess your name before His Father and the angels (Rev 3:5).
Jesus will make you a pillar in the temple of His God (Rev 3:12).
Jesus will write on you the name of His God and the name of the city of God (the New Jerusalem) and His New Name (Rev 3:12).
Jesus will grant to you to sit down with Him on His throne (Rev 3:21).
Jesus said, “HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO HIS CHURCHES.”

Are you excited yet?????? These promises are not everything, just a cursory review of what lies ahead. These promises should help us put in perspective the temporary worldly issues we face on earth today.

Back to today to close this out.

Two key things to remember:

ONE – In regard to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, God’s Word has already informed us that Israel as a nation wins. What we see happening today is simply filling in the details of how it happens.

TWO – your inheritance (1 Pet 1:3-5) is not at risk. If you don’t know about the incredible inheritance that you received when you joined God’s family, join a good Bible study that teaches on it. You will be delighted to find out what God has planned for you. That knowledge will give you the faith to make it through whatever this country may throw at you.

American Christians, now that we have entered a post-Christian era, should not forget how the Apostle Paul described our citizenship:

Phil 3:20-21 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

Remember, we are living the Bible. Every promise and prophecy will happen just as scripture says. You can be confident of one thing; you have found the truth. Therefore, we will put our trust in God’s Word. Our faith is not bound by circumstances. We have nothing to fear!

Remember another one of the Apostle Paul’s messages to us:

Phil 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Then, let’s do what Paull did:

Phil 3:13-14 “…one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

We are living in the time when the call of God is closer than it has ever been. The call happens when Jesus returns for the overcomers, His bride. The sequence of His return is a shout (heard around the world), a trumpet (heard around the world), the physically dead overcomers will rise to heaven receiving their glorified bodies in the process, then those who are alive will receive glorified bodies and rise to heaven to be with the Lord forever (1 Thess 4 & 1 Cor 15) and join in the amazing events in heaven before the second coming (Rev 4, 5 & 19) Always remember, you are safe, regardless of your worldly circumstances. God really does love you. As an overcomer, you cannot personally lose.

What do we do? Acknowledge we are living the Bible and continue to build our faith in a Bible study dedicated to teaching the truth. Then, live every day in full recognition of: