The Festival of Lights

Other than one simple mention in John 10:22 of Yahshua (Jesus) going to the temple to observe the Feast of Dedication (known as Hanukkah in Hebrew, and also as the Festival of Lights), this holiday is not mentioned in the Bible. The reason that it is not mentioned in the Old Testament is that it commemorates an event that took place after the Old Testament was written, about 200 years before the birth of Yahshua.

In those days, the land of Israel had been conquered by enemies, and a madman ruler named Antiochus Epiphanes took control of the land. He insisted that the people worship statues of him, and he took over the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the very temple where God dwelt among his people in the Most Holy Place, and on whose altar He caused holy fire to descend from heaven. (Leviticus 16:2, Leviticus 9:24) Antiochus filled it with his graven images, and removed the golden altar and other sacred articles. God’s chosen people were not allowed to perform their daily altar sacrifices and services. Shortly thereafter, he ordered the sacrifice of unclean animals (swine) on the altar of Yahweh. This was known as the Abomination of Desolation. Antiochus also outlawed Sabbath observance, Torah study, and other religious activity. The faithful Israelites who continued to follow God’s law were killed, or had to escape into exile.

One family of priests, Mattityahu and his sons, revolted when the king sent officers after them, killing the officers and escaping into a mountain hideaway. Other Torah observers gathered with them, and the small army became known as the Maccabees. With God on their side, this small rebel group waged many battles before achieving victory. They returned to Jerusalem and took back the city, only to find their temple in disarray. They set out to rebuild the altar and rededicate the temple, a full three years after it had been defiled with swine.

On the 25th day of Kislev (the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar), the people had a rededication ceremony for the temple. Legend has it that the defiled temple held only enough pure olive oil to burn the menorah for a single day, and it would be eight days before properly filtered oil could be obtained. Nonetheless, they decided to light the menorah, knowing it would burn out before they could refill it. Instead, the oil lasted the full eight days until more became available, and it is this eight day period of candle lighting that is still observed by God’s faithful people unto this day.

Although it is widely considered to be a “Jewish” holiday, the example of Yahshua was to observe the Feast of Dedication. He also taught his disciples about a similar event happening again in the end of time (Matthew 24:15-18; Mark 13:13-16). The event commemorates religious persecution, something that we also know that God’s people will face in the final days, when the beast tries to enforce false worship (Revelation 13:12).

It is interesting to note that most Biblical scholars believe that Jesus was conceived at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Yahshua tells us that “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12 and 9:5), and also told his disciples that “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). We also know that we are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). Since the Hanukkah celebration is celebrating the light of the world (us) and the temple of God (also us), shouldn’t we observe it as we were shown by Yahshua’s example? We are instructed to walk as he walked (1 John 2:6).

This year, Hanukkah starts on December 21. On each of the eight nights, may you light a candle in memory of the miracle of the oil, and just like the temple was rededicated, rededicate yourself to being a light in this sin-darkened world.

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