"It is better to light one candle than curse the darkness"
Gentle Reader,
A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
There is no distance between people of like precious faith.
THE STORY OF CHANUKKAH (Part 4)
The lights of Chanukkah was not an ancient celebration pointing to Messiah; they were added after HIS death to point back to the ONE WHO alone is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. HIS light lasts forever, whereas the lights of Chanukkah only shine for a few days each year.
In John 10. 22-23, the MESSIAH was at the Temple where the Feast of Dedication (Chanukkah) was being observed. HE had said of Himself, "I AM the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, he that follows ME shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the LIGHT OF LIFE." [John 8. 12] "As long as I AM in the world, I AM the LIGHT OF THE WORLD." [John 9. 5] "Are there not 12 hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the Light." [John 11. 9] "Yet a little while is the Light with you, walk while you have the Light, lest darkness come upon you." [John 12. 35]
The GLORY OF GOD shone out of the Temple - - the GLORY OF GOD shone out of the FLESHLY TEMPLE OF KING MESSIAH JESUS WHO is the "Ner Tormid" the "EVERLASTING LIGHT." HIS light defeats darkness. So, even when we go to the grave, we will experience an even greater light because we will be with GOD. As it is written, "GOD is LIGHT, and in HIM is no darkness at all." [1 John 1. 5] We should not worship before the candles of the Chanukkah Menorah, but only before ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF, the ONE WHO was the LIGHT, then performed the miracle of the lights. "YAH is my LIGHT and my SALVATION" [Psalms (Tehillym) 27. 1 Tanakh, Kethuvim], and "I will also make you (Israel) for a light, an agent of good fortune, to the nations, that MY salvation may reach unto the end of the earth." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 49. 6 Tanakh, Nevi'im]
The Jewish Festival of Chanukkah is celebrated on the eve of Kislev 24. The month of Kislev is the same as the month of December. The significance that MESSIAH YESHUA gave to Chanukkah, is perhaps the reason the church chose December 25 for CHRISTMAS. It is the Day to testify of the fact that in the birth of the MESSIAH YESHUA; DEITY WAS dwelling in a HUMAN TEMPLE and shining out to give LIGHT in the midst of darkness. The birth of our BLESSED REDEEMER, is the dedication of the TRUE TEMPLE which is the body of JESUS. MESSIAH told us that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth; which is true as the HOLY SPIRIT reveals CHRIST as LORD GOD through our lives.
Chanukkah tells us that as believers, we are to be in the world, but not part of it. We can live as more than conquerors. We can be separated in holiness and dedication. We are to be lights to the world as a testimony to our MIRACLE-WORKING HOLY GOD. Amen
Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel and the World !
"The LIGHT OF ISRAEL will be fire and HIS HOLY ONE a flame."
HAPPY CHANUKKAH! The Fourth Light is the LIGHT of Mercy. Cruelty hardens the heart and destroys friendship. Love, Denis
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