Last weekend I had the privilege of hearing a teaching on Hanukkah by Pastor Gary Fishman. He clearly presented the prophetic picture of how the story of Hanukkah is yet being played out in today’s current events.
Daniel 11: [31]“Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation. [32] By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.
The spirit of anti-Christ, which is the same spirit that operates anti-Semitism, is attacking the worshipers of the One True God today. Believers throughout the globe lose their lives daily for living an uncompromised life. Jewish people throughout Israel and those in the diaspora face the threat of terrorism and annihilation daily, as well.
Today’s politically correct culture is removing God from His rightful place throughout our land not only in the churches but in seats of government and communities. Laws are being put in place contrary to the Word of God to take away our rights of assembly, prayer and language of honor to God; such as saying, “God Bless you”, and now in this season, “Merry Christmas”.
The courage of the Jewish people to hold fast to their covenant commitments even at the cost of their own lives eventually brought them the victory. Although they were small in number, against all odds, they were able to overturn the corrupt government and give God back His rightful place.
I ended my last article reminding us that God will never leave or forsake us. Pastor Gary challenged his listeners to decide if they would ever forsake God. Would they have the courage of the Maccabees today if the commitment of no compromise concerning the ways of God would cost their very lives? Did they have the faith to believe as the Maccabees that they could make a difference in today’s world? Were they willing to position themselves to receive a miracle as the Jews did? What will it take to rededicate the altars of this world including the altars of our own lives? Sobering questions, yet important in this hour in which we live, especially in this season of re-dedication which is the true meaning of Hanukkah.
So far I have shared with you the historical facts of the story as we know them. I have presented in part a prophetic revelation of how history, (which is His Story), continues to reveal the war of which I spoke in the first article. There are, however, many more spiritual revelations hidden in this story that God has given us to show us His glory, His heart and His plan. For me it is the hidden treasures of the Word that strengthen me with the courage to hope in victory and stand in the day of trial. So now let us see how clearly God is presenting His heart for us and the body in the story of Hanukkah.
The world celebrates the birth of Christ on December 25th. Have you ever wondered how they came up with that date and if the Bible confirms that date as true? Do you find it interesting that Hanukkah is celebrated on the 25th of Chislev? Let’s investigate. I will start with the Bible clues to the conception and birth of Jesus.
Luke 1:[36] And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. [37] For nothing will be impossible with God.
The first clue here is that the angle told Mary Elizabeth was in her sixth month. The second clue is that in Luke it tells us in what division of priests was Zachariah. The following explains why those two pieces of information are important. First Chronicles tells us that the Levitical priesthood was divided into 12 divisions of priests. The ancient Jewish historian, Josephus, tells us that each division served for a period of one week. The first division began its period of service on the first day of the year - 1 Nisan, (also called Aviv or Abib), - as God had established the calendar in Exodus 12:2. Three weeks out of each year during the weeks of Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles) all 24,000 priests served together. As Zachariah was in the division of Aviyah, (Luke 1:5), his term of service began in early spring on the first day of the eighth week (27th of Ayyar) and ran for one week through the 4th of Sivan. As the following week (5-11 Sivan) was Shavuot (the Feast of Pentecost) he would have stayed in the temple and served that week also with all the priests.
Luke 1:23-24 tells us that Zacharias finished his duties at the Temple, and that Elizabeth conceived shortly after his return home. This sets the date for John’s conception at approximately the third week of Sivan, which corresponds approximately to the first week of June. Adding nine months to that date puts the birth of John sometime near the first week of March.
We know from scripture that Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant when Mary when to see her and Yeshua was conceived just before she left. That fact is affirmed since the baby Yeshua leapt in Mary’s womb when the two women met. With that information we can see that Yesuha was possibly conceived in December. As a good pastor friend of mine once pointed out, Mary was dedicated to bring the Light of the World into the world during the Festival of Lights - the season of re-dedication. This set the stage to take back all that satan had stolen through Adam. How much more meaningful now does this celebration become! But wait. There is more to know and consider. Some historians believe that the early church agreed to celebrate His birthday in that month because it was the custom to celebrate the conception not necessarily the birth. However, let me submit to you this piece of history to address that thought: there is another reason the date December 25th was chosen.
The following is a quote from The Messianic Church Arising! by Dr. Robert D. Heidler. I highly recommend this book for all those who want to understand their covenant roots. Dr. Heidler clearly lays out for us what the early church looked like and how we became separated from our Hebraic Biblical roots.
“Before the time of Roman Emperor Constantine, Christians never celebrated Christ’s birthday, but the pagan Romans had long celebrated December 25 as the birthday of Mithras. In the year 274 the Emperor Aurelian had actually designated Mithras’ birthday as an official Roman holiday.
Also known as Saturalia, Mithras’ birthday was one of the Romans favorite festivals; a time for good cheer and gift giving. On that one day of the year, masters would serve their slaves. Romans would give food to the children of the poor. Now that Jesus was viewed as a manifestation of the sun god, Saturnalia was declared a Christian holiday, Christmas, the birthday of Jesus.” (Pg. 48)
Never forget the aim of satan is to steal the worship of the One True God. He will go to any length to have his way. Although we all know the story of the oil lasting for 8 days, which may or may not be true, the fact is that it is historically recorded that Judah called for an 8 day celebration when they got the temple back so they could celebrate Sukkot. Sukkot, an 8 day celebration of the goodness of God, had not been celebrated at God’s appointed time since the temple was desecrated. Well, my friend, if you do the math from Yeshua’s conception you will see He was actually born at Tabernacles, or Sukkot.
So Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, the season of dedication, celebrates not only the victory of the brave Maccabbees to preserve the line of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah but His conception and His birth. Of Course His Father would have us celebrate for 8 days His Son’s appearing to the world breaking into the darkness the true Light of the World.
How amazing is our God!!!! How much he has tried to reveal His ways and His heart throughout the pages of His Word and the History of His people. Yet there is more I want to show you about Hanukkah and the Menorah. In this story the revelation I am going to share in the next article is the like the story of the wine at the wedding. I am saving the best for last.
