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Feast of dedication
Hanukkah is a national commemorative celebration of cleansing and re dedication.
John 10:22-25
Hanukkah meaning dedication in Hebrew is a national commemorative celebration
of the cleansing and re dedication of the second Temple in Jerusalem, by the
Maccabees during the second century B.C. Yeshua Himself observed this feast,
and used this special occasion as a platform for a prophetic hint as to His true
Messianic identity.
For nearly one hundred years, the Maccabean dynasty had kept Judea free from
Greek pagan domination. Their short reign ended disastrously with Rome’s
invasion of Jerusalem at 67 BC, but it began with such incredible faith, sacrifice
and courage. It echoes of their deeds reverberate down the centuries until today.
Antiochus Epiphanes a Syrian/Greek king, who reigned during the second century
BC, enforced the humanistic agenda of Greece upon the G-d fearing Jewish
population of Israel. Antiochus captured Jerusalem, slew 80,000 of her Jewish
residents, and sold many into slavery. He then removed the sacred vessels from
the Temple, slaughtered a pig on the altar of burnt offering and defiled the entire
Temple complex by sprinkling pig’s broth all over the grounds and buildings. Daily
sacrifices and worship services ceased altogether as the nation’s spiritual heart
was assaulted and dishonored.
Seeking to erase the Jewish national life, Antiochus forbade the worship of G-d,
circumcision, the keeping of the Sabbath and the observance of the Feast of the
L-rd under the pain of torture and death. The books of the Law and the prophets
were destroyed, the Temple was converted to host pagan ceremonies, and a
statue of Jupiter was erected on the altar. Antiochus’ agenda was calculated and
straight forward; wiping out the nation of Israel as a distinct people group who are
defined by their faith in the One True G-d.
Submitting to his pagan policies would mean only one thing; the annihilation of the
people of G-d and the cessation of G-d’s plan of redemption for the world without
a people, a Temple, and a living body of faith, there would be no Messiah. The
stakes were high, as hell raged against the nearing fulfillment of the prophecies
announcing the birth of the Savior, and the enemy worked hard to stop G-d’s
salvation purpose by killing the people through whom the Messiah was to be born.
With incredible courage and sacrifice, a priestly family under the headship of
Matthias and his son Judah a pierce national uprising began and eventually
overpowered the world’s greatest military at that time, Judah known as the
“Maccabee” which means sledge hammer in Hebrew took back Jerusalem and the
Temple.
There can be no true worship in the courts of the L-rd without first driving out the
enemy. Liberating Jerusalem and the Temple was the ultimate goal of the
campaign to secure Jewish survival and sovereignty. Once the Syrian forces were
driven out, the Maccabees tore down the pagan idols, cleansed the Temple,
rebuilt the altar and purified the instruments of worship. They prepared to offer
acceptable sacrifices to G-d.
A problem arose; they had only one Cruz of oil to rekindle the Menorah for one
day. Messengers were sent to the countryside of the tribe of Ashur to collect,
press and consecrate a new supply of oil. Miraculously the lamp remained lit for
eight full days, illuminating the inner sanctuary until the messengers returned with
a fresh supply of oil.
The story of Hanukkah is the testimony of the faith, courage, sacrifice and
determination that are needed to liberate, cleanse and rededicate a defiled
temple for a holy purpose. Today we are the Temple for the Holy Spirit. We must
also cast down the idols of humanism and paganism, cleansing our altar from
polluted sacrifices, and rededicate ourselves as instruments of worship.
Without Hanukkah, Israel’s preserving faith and the Maccabee’s fierce spirit,
Yeshua would not have had the promised human cradle to be born into. Without
Hanukkah there would be no Mary to conceive G-d’s Son, no Joseph to provide
for her, no Bethlehem for Him to be born in, no shepherds to hear the angelic
proclamation, no Simeon or Anna to prophesy at His dedication, no Nazareth to be
His childhood home, no John the Baptist to prepare His way, no Temple courts to
teach in, no disciples to follow Him, no Golgotha to be crucified at, and no tomb to
rise from, without Hanukkah, there would have been no Yeshua and no Christmas.
Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, was essential in order to ensure the first
coming of G-d’s Son, the land, the people, and the Temple had to be ready to
receive their king, even though they did not know Him yet. His second coming in
power and glory will be far more spectacular, visible, and dreadful to those not
prepared or expecting His appearing.
Is your heart a ready Temple for the L-rd? Is there worship, prayer and exaltation
in your courts? Are you enslaved to humanistic principles or being oppressed by
pagan idols? Turn to G-d who fights for you and will ensure your freedom and
place in His rededicated courts.
As the worldwide community of Jews celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of the
candles, songs of victory, festive foods and the reciting of the great miracle of the
oil, won’t you join them in spirit and in truth looking for liberation, cleansing and
dedication of your heart’s Temple. May this Christmas season be filled not only
with the wonder and awe of Emmanuel’s first coming, but preparation for His
second coming. Malachi 3:1-3.
John 10:22-25
Hanukkah meaning dedication in Hebrew is a national commemorative celebration
of the cleansing and re dedication of the second Temple in Jerusalem, by the
Maccabees during the second century B.C. Yeshua Himself observed this feast,
and used this special occasion as a platform for a prophetic hint as to His true
Messianic identity.
For nearly one hundred years, the Maccabean dynasty had kept Judea free from
Greek pagan domination. Their short reign ended disastrously with Rome’s
invasion of Jerusalem at 67 BC, but it began with such incredible faith, sacrifice
and courage. It echoes of their deeds reverberate down the centuries until today.
Antiochus Epiphanes a Syrian/Greek king, who reigned during the second century
BC, enforced the humanistic agenda of Greece upon the G-d fearing Jewish
population of Israel. Antiochus captured Jerusalem, slew 80,000 of her Jewish
residents, and sold many into slavery. He then removed the sacred vessels from
the Temple, slaughtered a pig on the altar of burnt offering and defiled the entire
Temple complex by sprinkling pig’s broth all over the grounds and buildings. Daily
sacrifices and worship services ceased altogether as the nation’s spiritual heart
was assaulted and dishonored.
Seeking to erase the Jewish national life, Antiochus forbade the worship of G-d,
circumcision, the keeping of the Sabbath and the observance of the Feast of the
L-rd under the pain of torture and death. The books of the Law and the prophets
were destroyed, the Temple was converted to host pagan ceremonies, and a
statue of Jupiter was erected on the altar. Antiochus’ agenda was calculated and
straight forward; wiping out the nation of Israel as a distinct people group who are
defined by their faith in the One True G-d.
Submitting to his pagan policies would mean only one thing; the annihilation of the
people of G-d and the cessation of G-d’s plan of redemption for the world without
a people, a Temple, and a living body of faith, there would be no Messiah. The
stakes were high, as hell raged against the nearing fulfillment of the prophecies
announcing the birth of the Savior, and the enemy worked hard to stop G-d’s
salvation purpose by killing the people through whom the Messiah was to be born.
With incredible courage and sacrifice, a priestly family under the headship of
Matthias and his son Judah a pierce national uprising began and eventually
overpowered the world’s greatest military at that time, Judah known as the
“Maccabee” which means sledge hammer in Hebrew took back Jerusalem and the
Temple.
There can be no true worship in the courts of the L-rd without first driving out the
enemy. Liberating Jerusalem and the Temple was the ultimate goal of the
campaign to secure Jewish survival and sovereignty. Once the Syrian forces were
driven out, the Maccabees tore down the pagan idols, cleansed the Temple,
rebuilt the altar and purified the instruments of worship. They prepared to offer
acceptable sacrifices to G-d.
A problem arose; they had only one Cruz of oil to rekindle the Menorah for one
day. Messengers were sent to the countryside of the tribe of Ashur to collect,
press and consecrate a new supply of oil. Miraculously the lamp remained lit for
eight full days, illuminating the inner sanctuary until the messengers returned with
a fresh supply of oil.
The story of Hanukkah is the testimony of the faith, courage, sacrifice and
determination that are needed to liberate, cleanse and rededicate a defiled
temple for a holy purpose. Today we are the Temple for the Holy Spirit. We must
also cast down the idols of humanism and paganism, cleansing our altar from
polluted sacrifices, and rededicate ourselves as instruments of worship.
Without Hanukkah, Israel’s preserving faith and the Maccabee’s fierce spirit,
Yeshua would not have had the promised human cradle to be born into. Without
Hanukkah there would be no Mary to conceive G-d’s Son, no Joseph to provide
for her, no Bethlehem for Him to be born in, no shepherds to hear the angelic
proclamation, no Simeon or Anna to prophesy at His dedication, no Nazareth to be
His childhood home, no John the Baptist to prepare His way, no Temple courts to
teach in, no disciples to follow Him, no Golgotha to be crucified at, and no tomb to
rise from, without Hanukkah, there would have been no Yeshua and no Christmas.
Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, was essential in order to ensure the first
coming of G-d’s Son, the land, the people, and the Temple had to be ready to
receive their king, even though they did not know Him yet. His second coming in
power and glory will be far more spectacular, visible, and dreadful to those not
prepared or expecting His appearing.
Is your heart a ready Temple for the L-rd? Is there worship, prayer and exaltation
in your courts? Are you enslaved to humanistic principles or being oppressed by
pagan idols? Turn to G-d who fights for you and will ensure your freedom and
place in His rededicated courts.
As the worldwide community of Jews celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of the
candles, songs of victory, festive foods and the reciting of the great miracle of the
oil, won’t you join them in spirit and in truth looking for liberation, cleansing and
dedication of your heart’s Temple. May this Christmas season be filled not only
with the wonder and awe of Emmanuel’s first coming, but preparation for His
second coming. Malachi 3:1-3.
| Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. © Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007 |