by Joan Masterson
Daniel 11:31-32 [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 antiChrist, which is the same spirit that operates behind anti-Semitism, is attacking the worshipers of the One True God today. Believers, around the globe, are losing their lives daily for living an uncompromised life. Jewish people throughout Israel, and those in the diaspora, face the daily threat of terrorism and annihilation as well.
Today’s politically correct culture is removing God from His rightful place. Not only in our churches but in seats of government and communities throughout our land. Laws are being enacted, 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”.
Today, however, we see that the prayers of the saints have prevailed. Although some of the above continues we are confident that we are in a Daniel 7 season with God.
Dan.7: [21] As I looked, this horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them, [22] until the Ancient One * came; then judgment was given for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time arrived when the holy ones gained possession of the kingdom.
Our nation is in a turnaround season. I want to encourage you to purchase The Midnight Cry by Jon Hamill and The Giant’s Will Fall by Dutch Sheets to give you further insight on how to continue to pray for the release of God’s Kingdom. You can find links to these books on our Website. https://www.oimm.org/book-list/. We do not sell anything on the website, just direct you to where you may purchase a recommendation.
I ended my last article by reminding us that God will never leave nor forsake us. Today, the Holy Spirit is challenging us to have the courage of the Maccabees. This season in God is one of total commitment and no compromise concerning the ways of God. We are preparing for the greatest harvest the world has ever known. Our purity is key as we stand ready to battle the forces of darkness for the souls of men. Do we have faith to believe, as the Maccabees, that we can make a difference in today’s world? Are we willing to position ourselves, as the Jews did, to receive a miracle? What will it take to rededicate the altars of this world including the altars of our own lives?
The courage of the Jewish people to hold fast to their covenant commitments, even at the cost of their own lives, eventually brought them 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.
As you read “The Midnight Cry” you find there are those who have taken up that challenge and through intercession and prophetic acts stood against the altars of Baal. They have made a way for the rest of the body to take our position according to our assignment in God. This is the season of re-dedication which is the true meaning of Hanukkah.
So far, I have shared with you the historical facts of the story that are known. I have presented, in part, a prophetic revelation of how history, (which is His Story), continues to reveal the war which I wrote about 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. Personally, it is the hidden treasures of the Word that strengthen me with the courage to hope in victory and stand on the day of trial. Let us see how 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 does the Bible confirm that date as true? Do you find it interesting that Hanukkah is celebrated on the 25th of Chislev? Let’s investigate a bit further. I will start with the Bible’s 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.
Luke 1:5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
An important clue, disclosed in these passages, is that the angel told Mary that Elizabeth was in her sixth month. Another clue is that in Luke it tells us in what division of priests Zachariah served. 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 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 lasted 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 with all the priests as well.
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, roughly, to the first week of June. From that date, adding nine months puts the birth of John sometime near the first week of March.
We know from scripture that Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant when Mary went to see her and Yeshua was conceived just before she left. This fact is affirmed because the baby, Yeshua, leaped in Mary’s womb when the two women met. With that information, we can see that Yeshua was probably conceived in December. As a good pastor friend of mine once pointed out, Mary was dedicated to bringing the Light of the World into the world during the Festival of Lights – the season of rededication. This set the stage to take back all that satan had stolen through Adam. How much more meaningful does this celebration now 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 and 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 to 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 the Roman Emperor Constantine, Christians never celebrated Christ’s birthday. The pagan Romans had long celebrated December 25 as the birthday of Mithras. In the year 274, 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 that 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 remains, as historical records support, that when they got the temple back, Judah called for an 8-day celebration 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 Maccabees to preserve the line of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, but prophetically make place for His conception and His birth. Additionally, did you know that Hanukkah took place between the writing of the Old and the New Testament? That event was a bridge in History to make way for the coming of our Lord. Of course, His Father would have us celebrate, for 8 days, His Son’s appearing to the world. The true light of the world, breaking into the darkness. The word tabernacle is also defined as a dwelling place. Indeed Yeshua came to dwell among men at Tabernacles. There is much more to consider about all that Tabernacles represents, but that is for another article.
How amazing is our God!!!! How much he has tried to reveal, concerning His ways and His heart, throughout the pages of His Word and the History of His people. Yet there is more I want to share with you about Hanukkah and the Menorah. The revelation I am going to share in the next article is like the story of the wine at the wedding. I am saving the best for last.
Before I close this article let me say, I know many of you will celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas time and others at Tabernacles. Both times God provided a reason to celebrate. At Christmas, He came to us in Mary’s Womb. At Tabernacles, He came to us as the Angels announced His birth. The important truth is why He came.
John 3:[16] “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.