Dear friends:
The Bible declares that there is nothing new under the sun. What happened back then is happening today. We are only building upon the sins of the fathers. Sadly, the events at the U.N. on Friday – will only get worse. We as a nation now have chosen to curse and betray the ‘siblings of the Messiah.’
There is a saying that the Church started it all with forced conversions declaring:
“Jews cannot live among us as Jews!”
Then, the nations of the world followed up on what the Church said by expelling the Jews from various countries and declared:
“Jews cannot live among us as Jews!”
Hitler simply built on the foundation that the Church and the nations had laid by stating:
“Jews cannot live among us as Jews!”
The National holidays of Israel point to a time of two such persecutions. Esther is the story of Purim – when Haman (like Amalek) wanted their extermination. Chanukah was a time of forced assimilation by the Greek Empire. The Hebrew word “Chanukah” (say “chah-noo-kah) literally means “dedication.” It is from this word that the holiday known as Chanukah gets its name. This festival is not one of the seven festivals of the Lord found in Leviticus chapter 23.
Some Background is needed
During the few hundred years prior to the Common Era (C.E.), the Hellenistic (Greek) armies of Alexander marched throughout the Middle East in a conquest to control the civilized world. The later Hellenistic armies, led by General Antiochus Epiphanies IV, sought to eliminate all traces Judaism which was alien to Hellenism, by fierce methods of assimilation.
He enforced strict anti-Torah policies, the forbidding of circumcision and public and private Torah reading. The Judeans resisted. Antiochus eventually seized complete control of the Temple itself, and in a public display of triumph and mockery, he sacrificed swine upon the altar itself, pouring swine urine on the Temple furniture and holy things. He also enforced the strict Hellenization of Israel by setting up a gymnasium in Jerusalem, compelling Jews to attend. His activities are described as – And forces shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt-offering, and they shall set up the ‘abomination that maketh desolate.’ Daniel 11:31. That phrase and its implications are covered in our study.
A resistance led by the Maccabean family began to fight back. When the Temple was eventually recaptured by the Judeans, it was in shambles. The altar had been ritualistically defiled by Antiochus’ armies. It was decided that before any reconstruction and repair could commence, the House itself had to be cleaned up and rededicated back to God. The story is recorded for us in the Apocryphal books known as the Maccabees.
The familiar 9-branched candlestick is known as a “Chanukah.” The Chanukah (the Hanukkah menorah) has very special instructions for how it is lit. The lampstand itself has eight candles, with one extra candle set apart or placed higher than the other candles. This special candle is the Shamash or servant candle. All the main candles on the menorah receive their light from the Shamash.
In the same manner, we receive our light from the Messiah, the Suffering Servant of The Almighty of whom it was written: “The One who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)
The Bible tells us John 10 v 22 – It was now winter and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Temple during the time of Chanukah, the Festival of Dedication.
So this Festival of Lights is a time of dedication. Rededicate your Life to renewed service to the Messiah – the Light of the World.
Starting in a few weeks it is my hope to add weekly written and audio teachings to this site. We are adding almost 70 new books in January that we just completed processing. Some are quite exciting. Please forward our material to others.
Blessings
Richard A. Volunteer