Happy Hanukkah!

Tonight (Sunday 12/6) begins Hanukkah, a season of joy, miracles, and dedication.

Rather than being a “Jewish Christmas” lasting eight days we find that as we read the bible this was a celebration that Yeshua (Jesus) himself endorsed.

In the Gospel of John, chapter 10 vs. 22-39 , Yeshua is found attending the Feast of Dedication. The word Hanukkah means “dedication”.

Moreover, he gave a warning to the future believers that they were to know, and be aware of, a future person who’s life was foreshadowed in the events of Hanukkah (Matt. 24:15-24). As prophesied by Daniel an evil man had stood and profaned a culture, their place of worship, and desired total domination of the Jewish nation (Dan. 8:9-14 & 11:21~12:13). Also, as prophesied, a handful of the Jewish people won a war reclaiming their Temple, cleansing it and dedicating it once again to God. Thus the celebrations roots. However, Yeshua gave warning to the coming anti-Christ who would seek total domination of not only the Jews, but the entire world as Daniel had also written.

In the book of Haggai two prophecies were given the day Hanukkah began. Chpter 2 vs. 10-19 promises to a downtrodden and soiled people that there would come a “day of blessing” . That day of blessing came hundreds of years later when General Allenby defeated the Ottoman Turks and entered Jerusalem on December 11, 1917, the day of Hanukkah. The second prophecy is yet to unfold, Chapter 2 vs. 20-23 hold the promise that God will destroy the unrighteous kingdoms and establish Zerubbael as the symbol of authority, which is to say the Kingdom of Messiah.

So, my friends and family, as we watch the world spiraling out of control, darkness ever growing, and violence ever increasing, may we find hope in the power of a sovereign God who has sent his Son as the Light of the World. May the congregations awake to the importance of Hanukkah, to embrace the ways of their Redeemer and walk in his path.

Chag Semach Hanukkah,

Lynn