Secret of the Cities, a 1500-year-old Pilgrim Hotel & Megiddos Daughters.
…. Jesus/Yeshua Had Not Come… there would be no New Year according to the Gregorian calendar. 
It is 2018 only because of Jesus! 
Remembering that in Israel, the fall appointed time of Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year” and that’s why it’s called The Jewish New Year (also known as Yom Teruah and often translated as Feast of Trumpets.) 
A very interesting point is, the Hebrew year 5778 coincides with 2018 on the Gregorian calendar and is significant because it was in the year 2018 BC (or AM) that God made the first covenant with Abraham. (This was 70 years after Abraham’s birth in 1948 BC (AM). 
Just imagine, if Jesus had not come, the Bible would end at Malachi or if read in chronological order it would stop after 2 Chronicles.
It would probably only be available in the Hebrew language and maybe still only on kosher scrolls.
The complete set Hebrew Scrolls Tanakh
No ‘communion’ (as in bread and wine celebration) outside of Passover, Pesach.
This was celebrated as part of the commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in ancient Egypt and their freedom and rebirth as a nation under the leadership of Moses.
There would however still be the Holy Land and the children of Israel, the tribes and their descendants and the Jewish people. 
The term having come from the tribe of Judah – Yehudi – Judahite and shortened to Jew. It is written that all tribes will want to say they are from Judah collectively and not so much as individual tribes an example is Mordecai in the book of Esther, he was from the tribe of Benjamin but was known as Yehudi.
That Hebrew language would be still intact as it is today and so is their faith that one day Messiah will come as promised in prophecy.
there would still be
Torah, Prophetic, Poetic and Historical Writings.
So what are we doing? Have we disregarded the Old Testament foundation in favor of ‘Penthouse’ believing? Are we guilty of thinking that somehow we are more ‘entitled’ by our new Testament faith in Jesus? 
A world without Jesus/Yeshua would be a world without born again believers, both Messianic Jews and Christian believers. No Christmas holiday or carols, no Turkey’s, presents or all the worlds commercialized accessories and distractions.
The biggest obvious consideration is that our sins have to be paid for and that by a blood sacrifice.
A life for a life. And the life is in the blood, so an innocent must die for each and every individual.
And by His life and death and resurrection, He fulfilled the promises in the bible of a coming Redeemer. One man’s life blood – God Himself, paid the price for our sins. Once for all and no more individual sacrifice is necessary.
Do we have a deep remorse and hatred of the way we were before He graciously accepted us into the beloved. We are grafted in by His compassion He is calling the Goyim, the heathen, to be His own.
Is living for our self the way we show Him our love? Is building our own reputation and kingdom/empire really part of His plan for us?
Self-deception is subtle and is an easy slippery slope, the biggest problem being we don’t believe we are deceived or that we can be.
We use the tools of the world and its commerce to fulfill desires based on covetous, selfish ambition and aspire to a comfortable way of life.
We are to preach the good news, make disciples, visit the prisoners and the sick, bring healing to them, deliver the oppressed, set spiritual captives free, feed the hungry, give to the poor, house the homeless, which of these did we do today? Which of these did we do this Christmas
We are to bind up the brokenhearted, raise the dead, calm storms.
If Jesus had not come we may have something of a legitimate excuse, that we don’t know any better but He did come and so we are without excuse.
Time is one of the greatest gifts we have been given. What we do with it will have a huge impact on our final destination. 
It is a phrase that has the connotations of ‘satisfaction.’ Abraham died as a man at peace with himself, at peace with God and at peace with the world. He was contented with all that God had done with him and in him, at an old age that was good and mature and content. In verse7 ‘Now these are the days of the years of Abraham which he lived.’ For it implies that he had lived every day to the full in the will of God not one day was wasted of the days that had been given him.
According to The JPS Torah Commentary on Genesis, the meaning of this phrase in Genesis 25:8 is “old and contented.” The commentary continues, “Such a summation of a life is found with no other personality in biblical literature. The phrase describes not his longevity, which is otherwise mentioned, but the quality of his earthly existence.”
As we go forward into ‘2018’ and continue in 5778, let any resolution we make begin with a grateful heart of thanks that HE CAME; and let the number of this year reminds us how long ago that was.
Let’s try to remember that, ‘New Beginnings’ come from the Grace of God, not from dates or resolutions. 
It’s an alarm bell to wake up the sleeping ‘ecclesia’, we are the ‘called out ones.’
His presence is now, believing in faith is for now.
The treasures revealed from His Word, are not simply for information but include messages to be lived and ways to develop a relationship with the Father. 
This post begins with some ???s
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had a specific time, place and purpose for His Chosen Son. 
Maybe we need to take another look at some details surrounding the birth of Jesus, our Messiah.
Even non-believers are familiar with the story.“1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (Lk. 2:1-18).
Here is the story of all stories, involving a young Jewish couple. The setting was at a time of socio-economic unrest following the mandates of a census being taken by the leaders of the Roman Empire. It involved two cities of Nazareth and Bethlehem. 
Nazareth is a village in northern Israel, and serves to remind us of the close family relationship and seclusion that Jesus experienced as He grew to manhood. 
“2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2).
The Momentous Death of Rachel an important incident.. ..everything is connected!“10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. 11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; 12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land” (Gen. 35:10-12).
Shortly after this, they travelled southward to the place that has been known ever since as Bethlehem, the Hebrew word that translates as “House of Bread.” 
This was the place where Christ was to be born about eighteen centuries later:
16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. 17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. 18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. 19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. 20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day. 21 And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar. (Gen. 35:16-21).
Rachels Tomb
About 1,000 years after Rachel’s death, the prophet Micah spoke about the still-future birth of Israel’s Messiah. 
Beginning In Micah 4:1 and connecting the verse above with some verses right before it, the prophet was speaking in the same context, Micah lays out the distant future in a prophecy of the coming Kingdom. Here he refers to that time period as “the last days.” Then, he goes on to say the following:“6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; 7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. 8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. (Mic. 4:6-8).
The location mentioned here was marked out for the amazing future fulfillment of prophecy. In Hebrew, the term “tower of Edar” is migdal eder. Its literal meaning of this title is “tower of the flock.” It would seem that this is the place where Christ was born, as described by Luke’s Christmas story.
Here, we have a prophecy that describes the mysterious location, the strange edifice was a watchtower – and here it is presented as the key to understanding the birth of the Messiah. these words were written by Micah in the 8th century, B.C., long before Israel’s Babaylonian captivity, which Micah describes in the following verses:“9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. 10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. 11 Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. 12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. 13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. (Mic. 4:9-13).
Amazingly the strange watchtower over the flock
Jacob was the father of the twelve tribes,
Here is where it gets interesting Luke 2:11-12 NKJV 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
Micah 4:8 NLKV 8 And you, O Migdal Eder (tower of the flock), the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, even the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.
The shepherds keeping watch over these sheep all year round knew the purpose for the lambs under their care. 
And their job was to keep the animals under them from becoming injured or blemished.
Only in warm weather do the Shepherds keep their flocks outdoors at night in Bethlehem so it could not have been winter because when it was cold they sheltered in nearby caves. Could it be that the birth was closer to the date in Israel’s calendar celebrating the Feast of Succoth?
It was to those watching over animals destined for temple sacrifice that the angels announced Jesus’ birth.“For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
The male sheep (Jesus) was a ‘burnt’ (sin) offering and the female was for a ‘peace’ offering and at birth they were wrapped in swaddling cloths to keep the new lambs without spot or blemish, then they would be laid in a manger until they had calmed down.
Their swaddling cloths no doubt stained with blood!
Newborn lambs.
As lambs destined for Temple sacrifice were born in these special flocks, they were inspected to make sure that they were perfect, not having any defect, so that they were suitable for sacrifice by the priests at the Temple. The Apostle Peter refers to Christ in precisely this way:“18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (I Pet. 1:18-20).
Only Luke talks about Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
The swaddling cloth was a square yard of cloth which had a narrow band attached at one corner. The mother would wrap the child in this swaddle with its arms close to its body and its legs stretched out. She would then wind the narrow band around the body from the shoulders to the ankles until the baby resembled an Egyptian mummy. This ritual was performed as often as we would ‘change’ the baby and would be done until it was no longer required by the growing child.
These priestly shepherds knew the ‘swaddling’ procedure and, when told it would be a sign, they recalled Micah 4:8 and, with haste (Luke 2:16) ran to see the newborn Jesus, the Son of God.
Luke 2:11 -12 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
Shepherds watching over their Flocks by Night
This was the last few weeks before the harsh winters would set in, and the shepherds spent a lot of time allowing the sheep to fatten up before winter. The dreaded heat of summer was over, and the evenings were cool, crisp and pleasant. 
An infant, now wrapped in swaddling clothes for protection in the cool breezes of evening and the curious stares of the domestic animals is a scene familiar to all. Nearby, shepherds on a grassy sloped hillside suddenly found themselves serenaded by a chorus of supernatural choristers, saying,Luke 2:8-10 – “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth, Peace, Good Will towards all men on whom his favor rests…”
When that inter-dimensional gateway into the world of the Divine opened and again there 
Luke 2:10-12 – “I have good news for you: there is great joy coming to the whole people. Today in the city of David a deliverer has been born to you – the Messiah, the Lord. And this is your sign: you will find a baby lying wrapped in his swaddling clothes, in a manger.
Why had Joseph and Mary come all this way from their hometown when she was in the late stages of pregnancy? Because their registration was decreed by the bureaucrats of the Roman Empire. Their genealogies were both out of the line of Judah. Joseph’s ancestry – the royal genealogy of Jesus in Matthew – came through King David, himself. 
Did they use the 
Was the manger in which He was placed located in 
So now we know how Rachel, Jacob, swaddling clothes, shepherds, a manger and a lamb are connected to Ephraph and the mysterious Edar tower prophesied by Micah 700 years BC!
Even in the nations in the southern hemisphere, where Christmas is in the summer season, there are still lights to celebrate the ONE,
WHO WAS and IS and always will be, the light of the world. 
Jesus, whose Hebrew Name is Yeshua. 
and fulfilled in 
So it would seem the most famous person ever to celebrate the festival of Chanukkah was Jesus, the one who is the light of our lives.
We all called to be the light of the world and not hide it under bushes or anything else for that matter!
Not surprisingly Israel’s national symbol on their parliament building the knesset 
and their National Seal is the seven branched menorah.
Israel is called to be a light to the nations. 
Are we living a life full of light?
Are we constantly filled and refilled with Holy oil, so we can stand in the Holy place in worship and then take the light to those around us?
It’s our heritage and our national calling to live life as a holy menorah of the Lord.
Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world’; and we are to let the light of His indwelling presence shine forth and then, He can draw all people to Himself Hebrews 1:9.
Olive oil symbolizes knowledge of Torah which provides spiritual illumination. We are to be the heavenly light in the world’s darkness.
Whether you are Jewish or not, if you are born again you are grafted into the Olive tree of Israel you are a citizen and a part of Israel. Ephesians 2:14, 15
Whether you know it, 
Jesus was Jewish, descended from the children of Israel. You cannot separate Him from His roots, any more than we can deny our own families heritage, or the Judaeo-Christian/Hebrew roots of our faith.
Hanukkah is a time to appreciate all we have to be thankful for.
We express our thanksgiving to God for protecting us and providing for our needs.
Chanukah begins on the twenty-fifth day of the Jewish month of Kislev. The Jewish calendar is primarily based on the lunar cycle, and its dates fluctuate with respect to other calendar systems.
Thus the first day of Chanukah can fall anywhere between November 28th and December 26th. this year it , begins at sundown on Tuesday, 12 December 2017. The Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the Festival of Lights and the feast of dedication and It is referred to one time in Scripture in the Gospel of John 10:22,23
Both Christmas and Chanukah are actually known as the “Festival of Lights.” The focus of each holiday is about God showing His salvation and supernatural miracles that lasted eight days and continues to illuminate our lives even now.
For believers, Christmas celebrates the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus/Yeshua, the Light of the World, who was born to save the world from their sins.Mary and Joseph were traveling to Bethlehem to register during a Roman census, and the shepherds still had their flocks out by night (Lk.2:1-8). Shepherds would likely not have had their flocks out at night in December because it is too cold, which is an interesting point.
(food for thought!)
It’s also unlikely that any ruler would compel people to travel many miles mostly on foot or riding animals, to register for a census when the likelihood of bad weather would have made such an effort self-defeating. Some scholars say it is possible that Jesus was born on one the appointed festival dates, likely in the fall around the time of Sukkot, and not in the winter, as His coming then and in the future are in fulfillment of the promises foreshadowed in the annual cycle of feasts of the Lord. (All 7 Feasts are discussed in earlier posts.)
However, the history of Chanukah is very interesting because it celebrates two miracles:
The name Maccabee may come from the Hebrew word for hammer, or for hitting. It is also an acrostic for Mi Kamocha Ba-Elim Hashem! (Who is like You among the mighty, O God!)
In the Hebrew, Chanukah is pronounced with the letter chet. The chet’s “ch” sound is not enunciated like the “ch” in child; rather it’s a guttural, throaty sound—like the “ch” in Johann Bach—which does not have an English equivalent. The letter “H” is the closest, but it’s not really it. So while some people spell and pronounce it “Chanukah” and others settle for “Hanukkah,” they really are one and the same.
Chanukah means “dedication” or “induction.” Following their victory over the Greeks, the Maccabees rededicated the Holy Temple and its altar, which had been desecrated and defiled by the pagan invaders.
the weekly Shabbat Sabbath menorah has 7 branches for lights.
In addition to the eight main lights, the menorah has an extra helper candle called the “Shamash.” Since the Shamash does not count as one of the eight regular lights, your menorah should have the Shamash set apart in some way ― either placed higher than the other candles, or off to the side.
On each of the eight days of Chanukah, the menorah is lit, a nine-branched candelabra, after nightfall (aside for Friday afternoon, when the candles are lit shortly before sunset). On the first night kindle one light plus the shamash (attendant or servant candle), on the second night kindle two lights plus the shamash, and so continue until the eighth night when all eight lights are kindled, plus the shamash. The menorah lights can be either candles, or oil and wicks.
This is significant as representing Jesus who as Servant and the Light of the world lights every other light.
Idols were set up in its courts and it became in effect a pagan temple filled with degradation.
Antiochus tried to eliminate Judaism, not so much by killing the Jews as by forbidding the practice of Judaism.. 
Reading Torah was forbidden, along with circumcision, honouring the Sabbath, and celebrating the seasons of the Lord. In 167 BC a priest by the name of Mattityahu Hasmonea started guerrilla warfare along with his sons and a few followers.
As previously noted, his motto was from Exodus 15:11; Who is like you Lord among the gods? Mi camokha ba’elim Adona’y. 
Therefore he was called the hammer, so the books of Maccabees history written in the apocrypha were about their successful wars. In 164 BC they took over the Temple.
This was the first war fought over a principal, religious freedom, and was the first successful guerrilla war. And they drove out the invaders.
They removed the idols, cleansed its courts, repaired its chambers, restored its vessels, and went to rekindled its holy lampstand in preparation to rededicate it to God. The kindling of a seven-branched Menorah (candelabra) was an important component of the daily service in the Holy Temple.
But a problem arose on that joyous day!
Rather than wait eight days to sanctify more, they began the temple sanctification process with a one-day supply. The Lord through a creative miracle made that one day supply last for eight days. For this reason and it is also called the Festival of lights. 
This victory climaxed with the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164BC.
God has another sanctuary another Holy dwelling place He has created for His Presence. Each of us was created to be the dwelling place of God’s presence, the Holy sanctuary /Temple of his glory. 
Every life is made to be a sanctuary /temple filled with God’s presence but without God’s presence we become a sanctuary /temple desecrated, defiled, darkened, filled with idols, a sanctuary /temple created to be Holy but fallen from its true purpose. 
Messiah Jesus, speaks of an abomination desolation yet to come in the last days. So Chanukah contains a prophetic blueprint of that which will take place at the end of the age.
Back then, even though most went along with the apostasy and the darkness; there was a remnant, who would not go along with it, who held strong and they became the resistance, the Maccabees. God anointed them and empowered them to overcome the darkness and to let in the light, so it is the Festival of lights. 
The Scriptures attest that Yeshua is the true Light (אוֹר אֱמֶת) that comes from eternity to give light and revelation for all mankind:
Greek scholars note that the word lethei itself is derived from the verb lanthano (λανθάνω), which means “to be hidden,” so the general idea is that a-letheia (i.e., truth) is non-concealment, non-hiddenness, or (put positively) revelation or disclosure. Thus the word of Yeshua – His message, logos (λόγος), revelation, and presence – is both “unforgettable” and irrepressible.
The Hebrew word for truth (i.e., emet: אֱמֶת) comes from a verb (aman) that means to “support” or “make firm.” There are a number of derived nouns that connote the sense of reliability or assurance (e.g., pillars of support). The noun emunah (i.e, אֱמוּנָה, “faithfulness” or “trustworthiness”) comes from this root, as does the word for the “faithful ones” (אֱמוּנִים) who are “established” in God’s way (Psalm 12:1). 
In colloquial English, for example, this idea is conveyed when we say, “He’s a true friend…”, indicating that the loyalty and love of the person is certain. The familiar word “amen” likewise comes from this root. Speaking the truth (dibbur emet) is considered foundational to moral life: “Speak the truth (דַּבְּרוּ אֱמֶת) to one another; render true and perfect justice in your gates” (Zech. 8:16).
During this Chanukah Season, and always, may the LORD God of Israel help us walk in the unforgettable and irrepressible radiance of His glory. 
There seems to be some confusion surrounding the actual spelling of Chanukah. Part of the reason for this confusion may be due to the fact there is no exact English translation of the Hebrew word for Chanukah.
More details can be found on last years posts athttps://www.minimannamoments.com/chanukah-or-hanukkah/
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