Light The Lights
חֲנֻכָּה
Chanukah/Chanukkah /Hannukkah/Hanukkah
This coming week is
חֲנֻכָּה
which begins 24 Kislev 5777 and lasts 8 days.
It is not a biblically-commanded feast/ appointed time of the Lord. (Leviticus 23.)
However it has become a permanent fixture on the calendar; maybe it is partly because there is a distinct lack of annual appointment times during the almost 6 months which include winter and also due to the fact that it falls during the annual Christmas season and people have come to associate it with a Jewish alternative of the western Christmas celebration.
For the Hebrew Israelites/ Jewish people, wintertime is a season that is supposed to be a time of preparation and a kind of dormancy period (like a hibernation) which stands between the end of Israel’s year in the autumn/fall and it’s new beginning in the spring time when the annual cycle of God’s appointed times begins again.
In fact it is not mentioned anywhere in the scriptures of the Old Testament/ Torah. Which is an interesting point, however, it is mentioned in the New Testament
The one place it is mentioned is in connection with Messiah/Jesus when he was in Jerusalem walking in the temple and could indicate that He was celebrating the remembrance or could indicate that He at least acknowledged it’s significance.
John 10:22-23
“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.”
This begs the question. Why do Jewish people who do not believe in Jesus Christ as Messiah or acknowledge the new testament/ covenant as Any kind of divine Record of truth, celebrate the season of Hanukkah?
Historically it is a factual incident which took place between the years that ended the old testament Records and when the New Testament Records begin approximately 150 years before Messiah/Jesus was born.
The event that precipitated the Chanukah commemoration occurred around 168 B.C. Jerusalem had been conquered and the Holy Temple had been defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes IV and his Syrian army.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a Hellenistic Greek king of the Seleucid Empire from 175 BC.
Thousands of Jews had been slaughtered and Antiochus had set up an idol in the Temple, declaring himself to be god. His coup de grâce was sacrificing a pig on the altar.
Hanukkah also known as the festival of lights begins each year on the 25th day of the nine months Kislev according to the Jewish calendar which usually corresponds to the month of December.
Hasmonian Period (166-63 BCE)
It is based on historical events Hanukkah means the feast of dedication and commemorates the victory of Judah Maccabee (which means “hammer”) and the group of Israelites who became freedom fighters against the Greco- Syrian oppressors during the second century BC. Israel’s temple was defiled by pagan sacrifices during the course of foreign occupation.
These brave men who came to be known as the Maccabees retook Jerusalem from the invaders, the first act was to purify cleanse and rededicate the temple and this is the root of the eight day annual celebration and remembrance.
Restoring the Eternal Light
“…command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. …It shall be a statute forever to their generations…” Exodus 27:20-21
The Temple Menorah needed the oil to keep the flames alight and hence the 9 branch Menorah, called a chanukiah, is lit during the week one for each night + the servant candle the tallest central candle.
Links below for more details of the lighting and meaning.
https://www.minimannamoments.com/who-lights-up-your-life/
https://www.minimannamoments.com/hanukkahchanukah-believers-today/
https://www.minimannamoments.com/chanukah-or-hanukkah/
Within the framework of historical events the rabbis enhanced the legend of the miraculous eight date burning of a single days supply of oil which is commonly taught and universally accepted explanation of the meaning and the purpose of Hanukkah.
This is all recorded in the Talmud tracate Shabbat 21b. The events referred to here are all verified by historical sources, except the miracle of the enduring holy oil.
So it may have happened but It may not?
The real story of Hanukkah is recorded in the ancient Jewish writings 1 and 2 Maccabees which is part of the inter-testamental manuscripts catalogue among the infamous Apocrypha.
The Apocrypha, which is a collection of writings included in the Septuagint which is the Jewish translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. It is also contained in the Latin Vulgate and was originally part of the King James Bible however many Jews and Protestant Christians do not consider the books of the apocrypha to be divinely inspired note to carry the weight of scriptural authority.
However, although 1 and 2 Maccabees are included in the apocrypha, it’s not the canon of Hebrew Scriptures but are nevertheless considered authoritative accounts as accurate historical documents.
For further study here are 2 links for PDF files of 1 & 2 Maccabees
http://www.jacksonsnyder.com/yah/manuscript-library/11-maccabees_1.pdf
The real story of Hanukkah is the story of turmoil and upheaval to the nation of Israel. It is a record of the attempted simulation of the Jewish people and the anti-Semitic spirit set against them. It is a story of sin and corruption; oppression and persecution; freedom and ultimately victory.
The heroes of Hanukkah were not motivated by loveless legalism or a misplaced religious fervor but by an overwhelming zeal for the one true God and it is a rallying cry for all who have dedicated their lives to serve the Messiah every single day of our lives and not just for one week of the year.
At the heart of this story is the account of Gods people experiencing assimilation, oppression, conviction, self-sacrifice victory and above all dedication.
Why is this relevant to Christians?
The Temple had to be restored before Messiah Yeshua could come. He acknowledged this holiday as we read in the new testament scriptures, where He rebuked the leading Jewish authorities for non-biblical aberrations.
John 10:24 was the opening description of a discourse by Jesus the Messiah, just before He was to reveal that it is His works that bear witness of who He really is. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, ‘How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’
Few realize that this took place during the Chanukah celebration in Jerusalem. It was here in the Temple, more than 150 years earlier, that an event had taken place that was essential for Jesus to come, for it restored the Temple and Jerusalem to Israel.
Therefore, it is easy to understand why Messiah would share in the celebration even though it is not one of the commanded biblically appointed times of the LORD from Leviticus 23.
There is also a teaching that links CHanukkah with the end times and the coming of antichrist.
It behooves us all to remember the real reason for the season amid the frenzy of parties, food, drink and gifts.
This year, when we see the familiar Christmas lights let’s remember Messiah is the True light of the world and remind ourselves that we are to be the light shining into the world. Instead of miracles and merriment the father is longing for His people to return wholeheartedly to Him.
The light of the fire of His love still blazes in His heart and true shalom – peace on earth and goodwill towards men; will maintain its original and prophetic meaning for all those who will believe and receive His miracle gift of salvation in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus of whom the central servant candle the Shamash is a representation.
The Shamash reminds us that we are servants of the LORD Most High. We are privileged to carry His Name, His Light before men, bringing that light into a dark and wicked world. Just as the few men who stood for God against an evil generation.
Chanukah Blessing to the LORD as We Light the Candles
Some words to remember and focus on during this season:
Return, Restoration, Rejoice, Thankfulness, Grateful hearts, Victory, Light of the World and Servanthood.
Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart. Ps 97:11
Extra helping –
the hidden mystery –
a blueprint for the last days revealed in The season of Hanukkah – dedication or rededication – has the most amazing and specific revelation of end times ever given by the Father.
In scripture there are some things relating to end times in the feast of trumpets and the feast of tabernacles. However Hanukkah holds the most exact precise revelation of what is going to take place and also the strategy of how to overcome in those days.
Daniel prophesied of these times in the old testament saying in chp.12:7; concerning the length of the time; of the temple desecration and oppression by Antiochus. He said it will be for a time, times and half a time, which represents 3 ½ years. He further speaks prophetically in Dan 9:26 about the prince that will come and make a covenant for a week and in the middle of the week will break it middle of 7 is 3 ½.
We read how apparently Messiah celebrated the feast of dedication/Hanukkah in the new testament.
(This is a great witnessing scripture to the Jewish people concerning Messiah.)
Without Hanukkah there would be no Christmas – because without Hanukkah the faith of Israel would have been wiped out; including all the family line through whom Messiah was born.
Rev 11:1, 2 also refers to the gentiles; a time line of 42 months, which is also 3 ½ years. Rev 12:6 also refers to this Hanukkah number of 1,260 days which also = 3 ½ years..
The abomination of desolation was spoken of when the pig was sacrificed in the Temple, which was the reason there had to be a Hanukkah – a rededication.
Also in reference to Messiahs words in Matt 24:15, when you see standing in the holy place the abomination of desolation…..
(when we don’t understand the roots of some of these events, then we miss the truth behind that reference.)
All Jewish people know of these times because it’s a part of their history and it did not require further explanation when Messiah spoke of it, they understood. What He was declaring was that, what happened in Daniel, will happen again, as written in the book of Revelation, so its not a case of ‘either/or’, but both.
By saying this Messiah also seems to give a clear timeline that this will happen before He returns.
The one world system and Israel along with gentile believers will not fit in to the new world order of the antichrist and the beast system. So there will be yet another attempt to destroy all God’s people through persecution.
Hanukkah is a reflection of what is occurring today and also gives a strategy of how to overcome in the end times. The spirit of the antichrist is already working towards requiring worship of the replacement ‘god’.
Eph 2:2. according to the will of the prince of the power of this air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience,
As believers we too must turn away from compromise of the world and go to the Father by re dedicating our lives, take time to fast and pray and as we do, Father will give us the steps to take.
If the light of God is not shining through us – darkness will encroach.
The 1st important message of Hanukkah is for the believers and clearly the Word states that the antichrist will not come except there is a falling away, an apostasy.
2 Thess 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
the changed or altered kingdom in hebrew Strong’s Hebrew: 8132. שָׁנָא (shana or shanah) — to change Phonetic Spelling: shaw-naw
לְהַשְׁנָיָה֙
Change denotes the transition that occurs between one state to another.
ə-haš-nā-yāh to change (strongs 8133) אשְׁנָ Phonetic Spelling: (shen-aw’)
Strong’s Hebrew: 8138. שָׁנָה (shanah) — to repeat, do again
This word meaning, changed, or altered kingdom, used in the Hebrew, Daniel 7:25, described what Antiochus put in place, is the same meaning referring to antichrist, who will also initiate a changed or altered kingdom, perverted, different or unnatural order; over which he can rule, pushing his agenda of the one world system.
He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High.
Daniel 7:25,
Apostasy, means; to depart from revealed truth, to lead away, seduce, mislead; to defect, to blind the eyes of the people by manipulating the truth; to turn one from the truth. It speaks of a culture that once knew God and has compromised their faith, which is self evident in their lifestyle.
Congruent with a general falling away from the purity of the faith; and a tolerance for things that are against the Bible. People who are wanting a ‘new god’. It’s a rejection of the true God/Christ Messiah, and is the spirit of anti-Christ and it could not be manifest until Christ had actually come because it’s against Christ. So in that respect that spirit has only been working the last 2000 years.
Since the days of Acts until now, there has never been such a strong joining together of Israel and Christian believers.
The One New Man of Eph. 14-16.
Christ Our Peace – For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken … in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
The name Antiochus Epiphanes; Epiphanes means. ‘god manifest’ and it is said he created the statue of Zeus to look like him. This reminds us of the image of the beast as being the same as that of end times and that he was changing and redefining things that are biblically based in society. Making himself as being god, reigning supreme over everything, so that he can do whatever he wants making new laws with no oversight or restriction.
The Zeus legend tells that Zeus took on the form of a bull and carried away a woman called Europa and it is where we get our word Europe from. Here is the representation of end time; the woman on the beast. Rev 17:5 The people of the revived roman empire which turned away from the God they once knew and worshipped. The Europe symbol of today is a woman riding a bull…
Hanukkah and the antichrist is repeating the slow change in society where people begin to call evil good and good evil. Antiochus declared the word of God illegal.
Links to events happening recently:
Assembly Bill 2943 in the California legislature intended to ban gay conversion therapy is also worded so that it could be used to ban books such as the Bible. The law has just passed the state Assembly with bipartisan support, and Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign it into law. 4/20/2018
Has California Just Voted To Ban The Bible? link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjHUvDqgZwA
No, not fake news. Here is the actual Bill and it has already passed the general assembly
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB2943
The bill is aimed at the sale of goods that would encourage sexual identity change therapy. If taken to its logical conclusion, this would ban the sale of Bibles because of passages like Romans 1.
https://www.charismamag.com/life/culture/36659-will-california-go-from-banning-religious-books-to-burning-them
2 Thess. 2:3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
that day = 2 Thessalonians 2:3 read in Context. 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
That day is the coming of Messiah – Yeshua – our Lord Jesus Christ….so let us therefore
Here is the type of the remnant and the blueprint for victory.
The family of the Maccabees represent the believers who stand against the antichrist spirit and have the victory.
Hanukkah the blueprint of end-times.
1 They decided no compromise, mentally drew a line in the sand, in effect saying, from now on I’m not playing around any more. Not I’ll do it sometime later when I’m not so busy! The challenge of Hanukkah is become what you are called to be NOW.
2 They didn’t care that they were the minority; they were with God and He is bigger than any problematic situation so don’t believe the circumstances cannot be changed, they can.
3 They went against the spirit of the times. They bent their life and circumstances to fit the word of God not the other away around, by bending the Word of God to their desires. They chose not to be like, to resemble in fashion or behave like the world around them.
4 They separated themselves and prepared to engage the enemy. We too are to be separate, yet impact the world around us.
5 They become warriors and turned whatever the enemy sent back against him. Eph. 6:12-16.
And finally they carried on the war joyfully. In Maccabees we read they declared, god has chosen us to do this, and they did it even after the discouragement. Neh. 8:10 and also David encouraged himself. 1sam 30:6.
They lived by and fought by the Word. They knew their God and resisted and they cleansed the Temple’…
‘but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32b
Messiah will come and cleanse this world and bring everything back to the Father.
We are to be the….
those who smash the works of darkness.
Lights in the darkness is the symbol of the Hanukkah menorah .
End time Israel’s symbol is not so much the star of David but rather the menorah light and it is indicative of an active agent in the world.
Us!
The sum of the Hanukkah message is – God wins and if we are with God, we will always be on the winning side.
Shalom to every reader as we celebrate the light of the world.
He said…
