We are in the eight days of Hanukkah and many have no idea of the meaning, even though it is in the New Testament. The simple definition is “dedication.” That is how you discover it in John’s Gospel. You may be surprised to learn that Jesus observed this holiday.
“Now it was the FEAST OF DEDICATION in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” John 10:22-24
Hanukkah is called the Feast of Dedication for a reason. About 150 years before Jesus came, the Greeks desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem and were going to destroy it. The Jew defeated them under Judas Maccabee, but then needed to rededicate the Temple. The special nine-candle menorah, called a Chanukkiah, commemorates that great victory.
In the year 168 BCE, the Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated and renamed for the Greek god Zeus. Antiochus had outlawed Judaism, banning the observance of Shabbat and holidays. He set up altars to Greek gods in the Temple, and gave Jews a choice that unfortunately would become familiar in future centuries: Convert or die. The Maccabees decided to resist instead — and won, despite facing overwhelming odds. Forward.com
Jewish tradition tells us they had only enough oil for one day, but needed eight days to consecrated more oil. Thus the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. Yet, the real miracle was the defeat of the Greeks. So, they have eight candles that are lit sequentially each day. But what about the ninth candle? The Jews call it the servant candle, used to light the others. What an amazing revelation for Christians of Jesus who is called the servant-king and is the light of the world!
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
There is one more thing about the context of Jesus in the Temple for Hanukkah. They asked Him if He really was the Messiah to tell them plainly. A bit further down in John 10, the answer comes when He says he told them and they did not believe, and ends the paragraph with this declaration:
“I and My Father are one.” Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. John 10:30-31
They did not kill Him this time. It was one of half a dozen times they tried to kill Him before His time. But why? They considered it blasphemy to equate Himself with God. The reason they drew Him into declaring as the Messiah was so they had an excuse to kill Him. Yet, that would only come in the appointed manner and time of God’s own choosing.
I hope you see the value as a Christian to lighting the Hanukkah candles. Yes, we identify with our Jewish roots, but more importantly we worship and proclaim Jesus as the Son of God, Yeshua ben Yehovah!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and continue to pray for seasonal rains in Israel.
Les Lawrence, voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
BRAINWASHED is an interesting term. It is an oxymoron. It means the opposite of how it sounds. In reality, if you are brainwashed, you are brain-dirtied, not washed. You have been fed so many lies that you believe the lies and don’t recognize truth anymore. Propaganda is the tool of the brainwashers/dirtiers. Politicians use it all the time. Media formerly existed to hold leaders to account for lies and propaganda. But what happens if the media is biased to the point of blurring the truth in favor of a preferred agenda or narrative? What is the antidote? Connect to the source of absolute truth through faith in God and the Messiah Jesus/Yeshua.
Today is a little something different. I am working on writing a biography of my dear friend, Michael Masambu of Kenya. After the great Kenya youth conference headed by him in December, he was physically exhausted. I was honored to speak there to 4,800 youth and was likewise spent. So, today I’m sharing his Facebook comment, posted shortly after the meetings.
Today I urge prayer and discernment for Israel as they go to the polls. I will add an update in two days with results. But right now we pray for Yehovah God’s purpose be fulfilled. If you want your prayers answered, pray what God has already said He will do. If you pray for a Palestinian state in the God-given territory allotted to Israel, your prayer will not be answered. 
Circle of Peace Still Alive?
26 01 2021Yes, the circle of peace is alive, not because of political changes, but in spite of the elections. It survives because it is Yehovah Himself who is doing it. Another nation to watch is Ethiopia. Israel has recently admitted another group of Ethiopian Jews as citizens. This is a progressive miracle of several decades. Here are Biblical indications of Ethiopia joining the circle of peace. Following the verses, I have reprinted my post from 10-24-20 which explains why this circle is Biblical and will stand the test of time.
CIRCLE OF PEACE (from 10-24-20) — Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu refers to the snowballing Arab peace agreements as the “circle of peace.” Yesterday Sudan was added to the growing list, soon to be followed by Oman, Morocco, and even Saudi Arabia, as well as others. There are now five Arab nations at peace with Israel. Don’t forget that Serbia and Kosovo also agree to recognize Israel and open embassies in Israel. Kosovo is the first non-Arab Muslim nation to do so. This is truly historic.
Sudan is especially interesting because they are still technically at war with Israel from 1948, which is not true of the UAE and Bahrain. Sudan’s capitol, Khartoum, was the location of the infamous Arab League meeting after the 1967 Six Day War. That is where they adopted “the three No’s”: “No to peace with Israel, no to recognition of Israel and no to negotiations with Israel.” Also, please note that Sudan will end up against Israel in the Ezekiel 38 Gog & Magog War. But first, Israel must enter a period of total peace, such complete peace that they tear down their walls and bars and gates. They would have to have immense confidence in their security, which brings me back to the circle of peace.
Notice that the nations that now encircle Israel are not mentioned in Ezekiel 38. Those are the nations that will create the circle of peace, along with others (Gulf states, North African states and a few other Muslim states). We may also see agreements with other African states who want to get in on the economic benefits that are about to explode in this Middle East circle of peace. According to Isaiah 19, even Syria and Lebanon will join! Here is just one example of the economic opportunity.
To be sure, this peace may not last more than a decade or so, but in the meantime it is an earth shaking realignment of loyalties in the Middle East. Shifting sands will see the Arab nations working with Israel in unprecedented ways. This is right in line with our studies of Psalm 83, Isaiah 19 and Isaiah 60. Wow! What a time to be alive.
MY TAKE: What about the Palestinian Arabs? The people will be included, not with a new state, but in an option to become citizens of Israel. The PA (Palestinian Authority) and PLO will certainly reject every offer for peace, so there will come a separation between the people and their terrorist leaders. The land was given by Yehovah God to Israel and He has the final say. Therefore, Israel will ultimately prevail.
Pray for the “circle” of peace for Jerusalem and pray for more snow and rain for Israel.
Les Lawrence, voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
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Tags: Circle of Peace, Elisha Vision, Ethiopia, Jerusalem, Peace Talks
Categories : Israel Commentary