Hanukkah
For believers who keep Yahweh’s commandments, it is interesting to note two Jewish celebrations found in Scriptures. These celebrations found in the Scriptures are Purim and The Feast of Dedication or more commonly called Hanukkah. For this article we will review the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. For more information on the Jewish celebration of Purim, please read the article titled “Purim”.
Although there is no direct mention of Purim in the New Testament, there is mention of the Feast of Dedication in the book of John. And as we read the following passage in John, Messiah Himself was in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication and was active at the temple during this Jewish celebration. Messiah never criticized the Jews for keeping The Feast of Dedication while he was present in Jerusalem and not only that, but He declared His divinity while in the temple during this time. . It would make logical sense that if this celebration was inappropriate in Messiah’s eyes He surely would have been critical of the Jews for keeping this Feast.
John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication (#1456), and it was winter. 23 And Yah’shua walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
1456 egkainia {eng-kah’-ee-nee-ah} • plural of a presumed compound from 1722 and 2537;; n n • AV – feast of dedication 1; 1 • 1) dedication, consecration
So, if our Savior was present during the Feast of Dedication and declared His divinity, maybe we need to look at this Jewish celebration Hanukkah to see if it is meant for us today. Remember Scriptures over and over tell us to walk as our Savior walked!
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of Yahweh perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
So where does the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah come from? Part of this celebration comes from 1st and 2nd Maccabees, which are part of the Apocrypha. These two books of Maccabees were originally composed in Hebrew and were indeed considered to be a part of Scriptures by some early believers. In fact, it was St. Jerome who, in the year 400 C.E., chose to separate Maccabees from the rest of Scriptures. Although not part the current “cannon” of Scriptures, the two books of Maccabees are excellent historical books. Since the books of Maccabees were considered authoritative enough by some early believers and are historical books, we believe they merit consideration.
The Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ victory over the Hellenist Syrians in the year 165 BCE. Three years prior to that victory, in 168 BCE, the temple had been seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus by Antiochus Epiphanes, the Greek King of Syria. Antiochus outlawed Jewish religious practices and ordered the Jews to worship Greek idols. He commanded them to give up their customs or die. Many Jews, in fear of their lives, honored the new decrees of their conquerors.
1 Maccabees 1:41 Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people, 42 And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king. 43 Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the Sabbath. 44 For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem, and the cities of Juda, that they should follow the strange laws of the land, 45 And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings in the temple; and that they should profane the Sabbaths, and festival days: 46 And pollute the sanctuary and holy people: 47 Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine’s flesh, and unclean beasts: 48 That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness, and profanation: 49 To the end they might forget the Law, and change all the ordinances. 50 And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king he said he should die.
While many honored the new decree of their conquerors, others, however, decided to fight back. One of those was Mattathias, a Jewish High Priest. Along with his five sons, and other Jews, this small group of rebels fled to the nearby mountains to hide and fight for their freedom. They attacked the Greek soldiers whenever possible using “Guerilla” type warfare tactics routinely routing the larger and better equipped Syrian forces.
About a year after the rebellion began, Mattathias died. Before his death, he put his brave son Judah in charge of the growing army. Judah was called “Maccabeus”, which came from the Hebrew word for “hammer”. After three years of intense fighting, the Jews defeated the Greek army, despite having significantly fewer men and weapons. They immediately began cleaning up and restoring the temple. And on the 25th day of the ninth month (Kislev or Casleu) of Yahweh’s Calendar, they offered temple sacrifices according to the law. The ninth month of Yahweh’s calendar occurs late November to late December.
1 Maccabees 4:53 And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made.
At long last the temple had been restored to its former state to allow the Jews to worship Yahweh as outlined in Scriptures. In the book of Maccabees, Judah decreed that future generations should celebrate their victory over the Greeks during the ninth month of Yahweh’s year with sacrifices on the altar along with mirth (i.e. happiness), gladness, and singing of psalms for eight days.
1 Maccabees 4:56 And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise. 57 They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them. 58 Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away. 59 Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu (Kislev), with mirth and gladness.
2 Maccabees 10:5 Now upon the same day that the strangers profaned the Temple, on the very same day it was cleansed again, even the five and twentieth day of the same month, which is Casleu. 6 And they kept eight days with gladness as in the feast of the Tabernacles, remembering that not long afore they had held the feast of the Tabernacles, when as they wandered in the mountains, and denes, like beasts. 7 Therefore they bare branches, and fair boughs and palms also, and sang Psalms unto him, that had given them good success in cleansing his place. 8 They ordained also by a common statute, and decree, That every year those days should be kept of the whole nation of the Jews. 9 And this was the end of Antiochus called Epiphanes.
But since there is no temple or sacrifices to dedicate on the altar for eight days plus the New Testament tells us we are the temple of Yahweh (1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19), should a saint keep Hanukkah in any fashion? There are no clear instructions in the Scriptures how a saint should keep Hanukkah with no Old Testament instructions and only one New Testament passage (John 10:22). And even if you accept 1st and 2nd Maccabees from the Apocrypha as an historical document, the only other instruction in these books is that you should keep Hanukkah with mirth (happiness), gladness and singing of psalms.
The current Jewish celebration for eight days during Hanukkah is not found in the Holy Scripture and not even in the Apocrypha. It is based on traditions and the Talmud. The Hanukkah celebration by the Jews involves a miracle that is mysteriously missing from the Scriptures and the books of Maccabees. According to a legend mentioned only in the Talmud, when Judah and his men searched for oil to light the menorah for the rededicated temple, they were only able to find a small flask that contained enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days.
However, this legend appears to be based more upon a fanciful story than sound evidence. Surely, if such a miracle had indeed occurred, the author of the books of Maccabees would not have ignored or otherwise left off mentioning. The fact that the Hanukkah story first appears in the Babylonian Talmud, known for its stories of folklore and magic, does not add credibility to the account. As a side note, the name Feast of Lights used today by the Jews comes from this legend.
So far the only instruction on how to celebrate Hanukkah is coming from the Apocrypha books of Maccabees. Again, since there is no physical temple or sacrifices, the only other instructions in the books of Maccabees is to celebrate Hanukkah with mirth (i.e. happiness), gladness, and singing of psalms. Let us see if looking at the Hebrew word “hanukkah” gives us any additional clues about whether or how a saint is suposed to keep Hanukkah.
Hanukkah in Hebrew means dedication. Hence we see in the New Testament John calls this celebration the Feast of Dedication. And this Hebrew word “hanukkah” or “dedication” has been tied to the dedication of Yahweh’s temples.
Numbers 7:10 And the princes offered for dedicating (#2598) of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar. 11 And Yahweh said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating (#2598) of the altar.
2598 chanukkah {khan-ook-kaw’} • from 2596; TWOT- 693b; n f • AV – dedication 6, dedicating 2; 8 • 1) dedication, consecration
2596 chanak {khaw-nak’} • a primitive root; TWOT- 693; v • AV – dedicate 4, train up 1; 5 • 1) to train, dedicate, inaugurate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to train, train up 1a2) to dedicate
We see that the first Temple dedication or “hanukkah” was for seven days and occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles occurs between the 15th -21st day of the seventh month, or Tishri. The seventh month of Yahweh’s calendar is between late September to late October. And the dedication of the first temple was with sacrifices on the temple altar.
1 Kings 8:63 And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto Yahweh, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated (#2596) the house of Yahweh.
65 And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before Yahweh our Elohim, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days. 66 On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that Yahweh had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.
2 Chronicles 7:1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Yahweh filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of Yahweh, because the glory of Yahweh had filled Yahweh’s house. 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of Yahweh upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised Yahweh, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before Yahweh. 5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated (#2596) the house of Elohim. 6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of Yahweh, which David the king had made to praise Yahweh, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of Yahweh: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat. 8 Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. 9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication (#2598) of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 10 And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that Yahweh had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people. 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of Yahweh, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of Yahweh, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
And we see the 2nd temple was finished on the 3rd day of the month of Adar, which is the 12th month in Yahweh’s calendar. The 12th month of Yahweh’s calendar occurs between late February and late March. And the Jews celebrated the dedication of the temple with sacrifices on the temple altar and with gladness, thanksgiving, and singing. It appears there is no reference to the number of days the “dedication” or “hanukkah” occurred for the second temple.
Nehemiah 12:27 And at the dedication (#2598) of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication (#2598) with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
Ezra 6:13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily. 14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the Elohim of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication (#2597) of this house of Elohim with joy, 17 And offered at the dedication (#2597) of this house of Elohim an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of Elohim, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
2597 chanukka’ (Aramaic) {chan-ook-kaw’} • corresponding to 02598; TWOT- 2736; n f • AV – dedication 4; 4 • 1) dedication
So, if there are no clear instructions on what a saint should do on the Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah other than celebrating with happiness, gladness and singing of psalms, should a saint do nothing? There is no physical temple or sacrifices that are done today based on the New Covenant. If you study the Hanukkah story, you will find deep spiritual meaning for future end-times prophesies. So, with that in mind, Hanukkah should be observed with its spiritual end-time significance through Scripture readings, along with happiness, gladness, and singing of psalms. Plus, there is no record of Messiah Himself actually celebrating Hanukkah in John 10, even though He declared His divinity and did not criticize the Jews.
Let us start our spiritual journey on the richness of the Hanukkah story by reading Daniel 8 and its tie to Antiochus and end-time prophesies. It is interesting to note that Daniel prophesied about Antiochus several centuries in advance of his coming.
Daniel 8:1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. 2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. 3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
Before we move on, let us interpret the preceding Scriptures. The ram represents the Medo-Persia empires. The two horns symbolize the king and his people of Media and Persia. The Hebrew word translated horn in the Scriptures symbolizes power. This vision is interpreted by the angel Gabriel in verse 20, “The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia”.
5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
Before we move on, let us again interpret the preceding Scriptures. The goat represents Greece and the horn represents Alexander the Great. This vision is interpreted by the angel Gabriel in verse 21, “And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king”. We also find in Maccabees Alexander the Great defeating King Darius of the Persians and Medes.
1 Maccabees 1:1 And it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece, 2 And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth, 3 And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch, that the earth was quiet before him, whereupon he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up. 4 And he gathered a mighty strong host, and ruled over countries, and nations and kings, who became tributaries unto him.
Continuing on in Daniel 8 we read….
8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.
Again, let us break for an interpretation of the preceding Scripture. The large horn that was broken represents Alexander the Great who died at the height of his career, before he was 33 years old. Four notable ones represents the four generals of Alexander the great that carved up the Macedonian Empire. This vision is interpreted by the angel Gabriel in verse 22, “Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
We also find in Maccabees Alexander the Great dying only after a short 12-year reign and his servants or four generals ruling in his place. And after the four generals reigned, their sons ruled and were evil.
1 Maccabees 1:7 So Alexander reigned twelve years, and (then) died. 8 And his servants bare rule everyone in his place. 9 And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves so did their sons after them, many years, and evils were multiplied in the earth.
Continuing on in Daniel 8 we read….
9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
The little horn that came forth in the above Scriptures refers to Antiochus Epiphanes who came out of one of the four generals of Alexander the Great. He was the eighth king of the Syrian dynasty who reigned from 175 to 164 BCE. 1 Maccabees confirms this and shows that Antiochus was wicked.
1 Maccabees 1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
Continuing on in Daniel 8 we read….
10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. 13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
During his reign Scriptures tell us that Antiochus “cast down” and “stamped upon them” the host of the stars. The host of the stars is a reference to the Jews being killed and persecuted by Antiochus. Also Antiochus magnified himself as the prince of hosts, which is a reference to magnifying himself as Elohim. The little horn, Antiochus Epiphanes, like Lucifer A/K/A Satan, aspired to be like Elohim (Isaiah 14:12). While Antiochus Epiphanes ruled, the sanctuary was cast down. We see historically that Antiochus desecrated the house of Yahweh by erecting a statue of Zeus on the bronze altar. Lastly, we see that the daily sacrifices prescribed by Yahweh were taken away by Antiochus and replaced with sacrifices of pigs (see 1 Maccabees 1:47).
We have a very similar account of Antiochus and his reign in Daniel 11:29-37.
Daniel 11:29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. 30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. 31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. 32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their Elohim shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. 36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every Elohim, and shall speak marvellous things against the Elohim of elohims, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37 Neither shall he regard the Elohim of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any Elohim: for he shall magnify himself above all.
Just like what we just read in Daniel 8, Antiochus in Daniel 11:31 polluted the Sanctuary and took away the daily sacrifices. Verse 33 shows that many devout Jews were killed and imprisoned during this time. Lastly in verse 36, Antiochus exalts himself above the Elohim of elohims.
These preceding passages about Antiochus in Daniel parallel the end-time Great Tribulation prophesies, which we will see as we continue to read Daniel 8 verses 23-26 and as we read Daniel 12, Matthew 24, and 2 Thessalonians 2. As a side note, Daniel 11:29-37 may not only be prophesying about Antiochus but the end-time anti-messiah.
These end-time prophesies of the Great Tribulation show that through the power of Satan, the anti-messiah, like Antiochus, declares himself to be Elohim, stops the daily sacrifices, desecrates the temple, and persecutes the saints. So there is a parallel between Antiochus and the end-time anti-messiah and another reason for saints today to learn about the Hanukkah story.
Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power (i.e. Satan’s power): and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes (i.e. Messiah); but he shall be broken without hand. 26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. 27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Sovereign, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. (Also see Mark 13:14-20)
2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Sovereign YahwehShua Messiah, 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 Messiah is at hand. 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 Elohim, or that is worshipped; so that he as Elohim sitteth in the temple of Elohim, shewing himself that he is Elohim. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom YahwehShua shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon (i.e. Satan) which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against Yahweh, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
The good news about the Hanukkah story is that just like the defeat of Antiochus by Judah and his small group of rebels, Satan, his anti-messiah, and false prophet will be defeated at the end of this age during the Great Tribulation by YahwehShua and his saints. And with the defeat of Satan and his dominion, YahwehShua will set up His righteous earthly kingdom and will be King of kings and Sovereign of sovereign. Knowing that Yahweh’s promises are true is enough reason to be happy, glad, and sing psalms of praise in recognition of Yahweh’s great promises on Hanukkah.
Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the Elohim of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone (Messiah) was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great Elohim hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Sovereign of sovereigns, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Revelations 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called Dabar Yahweh. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty Yahweh.
Zechariah 14:3 Then shall Yahweh go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west,
9 And Yahweh shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Yahweh, and his name one.
Another interesting parallel to the meaning of Hanukkah for saints today is found in John 10. This is where Yah’shua proclaims himself to be Yahweh in the flesh, the Son of Elohim, while at the temple during the Feast of Dedication. Two hundred years earlier, Antiochus, a mere man, proclaimed himself to be Elohim while in the temple. And midway through the End-Time Tribulation, the Anti-Messiah will do the same.
John 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Messiah, tell us plainly. 25 Yah’shua answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
John 10:34 Yah’shua answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are Elohim? (see Psalm 82:6) 35 If he called them Elohim, unto whom the word of Yahweh came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of Elohim? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
Again, it is interesting to note that while at the Temple during the Feast of Dedication, Yah’shua declares multiple times that He is the “I am” of the Scriptures and the fulfillment of Hanukkah. This proclamation lets everyone know He is Yahweh in the flesh, the Son of Yahweh! The true Mighty One.
John 10:7 Then said Yah’shua unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am (see Exodus 3:14) the door of the sheep.
John 10:9 I am (see Exodus 3:14) the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:11 I am (see Exodus 3:14) the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
As July 4th is the day Americans celebrate their independence of our nation, Hanukkah is also a time when we as saints should celebrate Yahweh’s promise of deliverance from Satan, looking forward to Messiah 1,000-year reign on earth. Just like the Maccabean revolt overtook Antiochus, gaining the Jews their independence.
Since there are no clear instructions on what a saint should do on the Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah, the best way to celebrate is with Scripture reading, perhaps on the 25th of Kislev, which comes from the book of Maccabees, not the current cannon of Scriptures. So, saints must decide if that is the day they want to keep it.
The Scripture reading will reveal that Hanukkah has deep spiritual meaning and relates to end-times prophesies. Lastly, this day should be filled with happiness, gladness, thanksgiving, and signing of psalms (Nehemiah 12:27) knowing that YahwehShua is returning not only to defeat Satan and his dominion but to set up His righteous kingdom on earth.
Remember, that Yahweh is faithful to His promises in the Scriptures. We can rely on the prophecy of His Word, including the defeat of Satan, the promise of Messiah’s 1,000-year kingdom on earth, and that our Savior is the true Mighty One.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which Yahweh, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
HalleluYah
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