We Are Prophetically in a Hanukkah Season
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As we prepare for the Hanukkah season and reflect on the Hanukkah story, as spiritually led believers, we must seek to understand the prophetic significance of the season.
As a nation and as individuals, we are prophetically in a Hanukkah season. What does that mean?
The Hanukkah Story
The Hanukkah story is a story of deliverance and facing adversity in a Hellenized culture. It is a historical account of the Maccabean war—a Jewish rebellion led by the Maccabees against Antiochus IV and the Seleucid Empire. Antiochus and his men were pushing Hellenistic influence on Jewish life.
A small band of Jews refused to give in and adopt the Greek culture. The culture was ultimately ruled by anti-God spirits and aimed to get rid of the Jewish roots and the people altogether.
The first attempt by enemy forces was to infiltrate the Jewish culture, which they did. Secondly, the forces infiltrated the priests and leaders. Again, the enemy forces were successful. Many of those who would become Israel’s guides and spiritual leaders comprised and gave in to the pagan influence.
Does this sound familiar to what we are seeing today? Our once Judeo-Christian culture has been hijacked by the enemy.
Yet, God orchestrated a miracle for Israel. He empowered the Maccabees to gain victory over Antiochus IV. The faulty priests were removed, and the Jewish people stepped out in faith and rededicated (cleansed) the temple to the Lord with minimal provision.
So then, what does it mean that we are prophetically in a Hanukkah season? The enemy and his demonic forces are trying to take over our temples.
As Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Corinth…
- “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19, emphasis added)
In other words, the enemy is looking to take over our bodies, minds, wills and emotions. He’s baiting us to make decisions out of a Hellenistic worldview rather than a biblical worldview.
We must remember Romans 12:2:
- “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
The Maccabees didn’t conform to the culture, and as a result, they were able to walk in the will of God and witness a miracle!
Something to Understand About Hanukkah …
- The Maccabees could see what was happening in the culture and were spiritually and emotionally prepared to resist. They called upon the strength of the Lord.
They knew Antiochus IV and his men captured the city of Jerusalem, erected a statue of Zeus and sacrificed a pig on the altar of incense in the temple of the Lord.
This provoked a revolt, and the Maccabees drove Antiochus IV and his army out, allowing the Jews to regain control of their land.
The victory at Hanukkah wasn’t won by cleansing the temple of the Lord. The victory was won when the remnant army made a decision and acted in accordance with that decision that the altar of the Lord would not be left defiled.
The remnant army made a decision and stepped out in faith. This was when the victory was won. From there, they fought from a place of victory and were able to restore the light to the temple of the Lord.
It’s Time for Your Miracle
What are you battling in this season? Is there an attack on your body, mind or relationships? We know dark forces have been let loose in this nation and around the globe, but this doesn’t mean we have to be consumed by them.
The same God who strengthened the small remnant army, the Maccabees, so they could gain victory over the enemy strengthens us today.
Malachi 3:6 says:
- “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”
God wants you to be victorious. He wants you to receive your miracle.
Lessons From the Maccabees
Once the remnant army gained victory, they weren’t done yet. This was only the beginning. They, again, stepped out in faith. They lit the oil, knowing there was only enough to burn for one day. They lit it and kept moving forward, and God provided exactly what they needed to complete the consecration of the temple of the Lord.
What is God calling you to do in this hour? Where is He asking you to step out in faith and trust Him for provision? He oftentimes doesn’t show you exactly how you will reach the destination or how your miracle will come to pass, but He asks you to put your faith and trust in Him, knowing obedience is key to moving forward.
Hear me on this: Your victory has already been won. Yeshua HaMashiach—Jesus Christ—won the victory for you at the cross. Now it is up to you to fight from that place of victory. Protect your temple. If it’s been defiled, God wants you to look to Him for strength and wisdom to go in and cleanse it, rededicating it to Him.
He does not condemn. He teaches. Maybe this is a teaching moment for you.
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
As I mentioned above, He doesn’t always show us how we will reach the destination, but He does provide the light for us to take one step at a time.
Jesus said, “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). Do you believe this promise?
If you feel that your light has been dimmed, ask the fire of the Holy Spirit to pour out new oil and refresh your soul. New beginnings are coming.
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Curt Landry, founder of Curt Landry Ministries, and his wife, Christie, travel extensively, preaching and teaching about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. Together, their passion is to empower families to live and leave kingdom legacies and understand their own personal heritage.
