Hanukkah
*This Article Adapted from Original Artice "Hanukkah Yes, But What About Kislev” by Dr. James D. Tabor
Haggai wrote of a future end-time blessing for Israel, "From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day... ‘From this day on I will bless you" Israel, as Messiah's prophetic Kingdom is about to be fulfilled (Haggai 2:18-19).
US President Donald Trump holds up a signed memorandum after he delivered a statement on Jerusalem from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC on December 6, 2017 as US Vice President Mike Pence looks on. (Saul Loeb/AFP) |
As
the sun sets around the world, millions of Jews and many
Gentiles (Hebrew “goyim”) prepared for and/or acknowledged the arrival
of Hanukkah in either late November or December, also known as the Feast of Dedication and Festival of
Lights (John 10:22-24). What might be lost is the modern ramifications
of Haggai's ancient prophecy on the world stage, later rooted in the historical
grounding of the feast of Hanukkah itself, which is derived from the
first evening of celebration—Kislev 24, the 24th day of the 9th
month on the Jewish calendar.
The
book of the prophet Haggai comes to us from the 2nd year of the Persian
King Darius, late summer, August, 520 BC. It is one of the most
precisely dated books in the Hebrew Bible. Much like the twin prophetic
books of Zechariah and
Malachi, all three scrolls were written during that crucial time of the
“restoration” of Judah to the Promised Land following the Babylonian
captivity. Collectively, they offered the last insights during the Old
Covenant period in terms of how the Messianic redemption is to 
unfold.
Both Haggai and Zechariah address their contemporary situation, as one
would expect, and are concerned that the Temple be rebuilt and that the
constitution of the new state of Judah be ordered according to the
Torah. However, if read carefully, both clearly understand that this
restoration of Judah is only a preliminary, even symbolic step in this
“near and far” prophecy, to a coming great restoration of Judah and
all Israel as the Kingdom approaches. Even though there is a Priest (Joshua), and a Governor (Zerubbabel)
of the
Davidic line, there is no anointing of the BRANCH (Messiah) figure of
whom both Isaiah and Jeremiah had written. One way of putting this is to
say that Haggai and Zechariah are working in the tall shadow of Jeremiah
(see especially chapters 30-31), and they know, from his clear and
powerful prophecies, that the final days have not come with this tiny
little beachhead return of a portion of Judah to the land. But they do
believe that this return of Judah is a “sign” of things to come, and
a guarantee that the Plan of Yehovah, to fill the earth with justice and
righteousness, through Abraham’s seed, is not to fall to the ground.
This leads us to the curious and fascinating references to the 24th day
of the 9th month—Kislev 24, later connected to the Hanukkah celebration.
Notice, reading the book of Haggai is sequential, it takes you through
the last months of the year during late summer and well into the autumn
period. It begins with the Rosh Chodesh of the 6th month (Haggai 1:1),
which typically begins in late August or early September, the first day of the month of Elul—the
annual month of repentance leading up to the High Holy Days; then,
continues through the 21st day of the 7th month (2:1), which is the last
day of Sukkot in late September or early October, followed by the 24th
day of the 9th month—most typically found in the month of December, connected to the first evening
of the Hanukkah candle lighting. Haggai’s third and fourth messages
also come on this very day, emphasizing by repetition the date’s significance. It is
a short book, but if you skim through it you will see the building
sequence.
Kislev
24 (the first night of Hanukkah) is highlighted four times in the second chapter of Haggai, verses 10, 15, 18 and
20. Twice it is emphasized that “from THIS DAY FORWARD I will bless
you,” and twice Haggai gets a special Word from Yehovah on this day. You must read the whole chapter to get the context. The message is
basically that from that day forward Yehovah’s final plans will begin
with a BLESSING for Israel, which in turn will lead to God’s promise to
“SHAKE the heavens and the earth and ALL NATIONS,” making Jerusalem
the “cup of trembling” to surrounding nations foretold in Zechariah
12:2. And, in the end, Messiah will overturn world
governments and shatter the power of all foreign powers on His Great
Day.
This
message was originally addressed to the two “messiahs,” the “Priest” and the
“King” or Governor, Joshua and Zerubbabel, respectively (2:4-5).
They become “signifiers” of things to come. They are not the final
two anointed ones, who in the last days point to Elijah the priest, and
Moses the ruler, which two Zechariah picks up in his prophetic visions, especially
chapters 4 and 6, and Malachi identifies literally by name. These two
personalities, as well as the promised presence of the Holy Spirit (see
2:5 and Zechariah 4:6), are the guarantee that Yehovah will bring about
these promises.
Notice, in correlation to Haggai, the prophet Zechariah begins getting his visions and messages in the 8th month (Cheshvan) of that same year (Zechariah 1:1), or mid-November, 520 BC, followed by the 24th day of the 11th month (Shevat, typically in the January/February range on the Gregorian calendar) the following year (Zechariah 1:7). He has eight night visions, and they are all quite difficult to follow, but prophetically important in forecasting the redemptive future. There is much more detail in Zechariah, but as mentioned, the two scrolls, Haggai and Zechariah, should be studied in tandem as one explains the other. Now, note carefully, Kislev 24 is not specifically mentioned in Zechariah, but it is alluded to in chapter 4:8-10. It is the famous “day of small things,” that nations, past, present and future, might dare “despise,” because after all, this seemingly small [military/national] event involving a tiny little remnant of Judah in the petite land of Israel. This small event will initiate a series of cascading events that will lead to war and tragedies, setting the stage to lay the foundation of a nondescript temple, which nation of people were once historically held under the mighty thumb of the Persian empire and was hardly even worthy of the name of a city-state, much less a significant kingdom, and yet had hopes and dreams and promises of world dominion led by their bloodline Messiah!
Chapters
7-14 of Zechariah, which he receives and writes of two years later, are quite different.
They are straightforward, laying out, likely in some sequential order,
both the preliminary events and the detailed climax of the “time of
the end.”
So,
what about Kislev 24, which eventually became connected to the first night of
Hanukkah? It seems to have a three-fold meaning. 
First,
in the time of Haggai and Zechariah, it was the day marked for the
promise that the redemption would ultimately have its assigned
beginning, not by might,
nor by power, but by the Spirit of Yehovah—and “in its time".
Second, subsequently through Jewish history, this day seems to be one upon which
key events have and may take place for Israel, perhaps only a few of which have been recognized.
Hanukkah may highlight what might seem a small but
despised event, which will turn out to be a “countdown marker” for
the soon unfolding mysterious 1260
days, 1290 days, 1335 days, 2300 evenings/mornings (1150
days) and 490 days of Daniel’s visions displayed on The
Kingdom Calendar; all of which, are intrinsically connected to the
prophetic visions of Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Isaiah, Jeremiah, the
Gospel accounts of end-time events (Matthew, Mark & Luke), and the
book of Revelation.
In
2017, exactly
seven days before Hanukkah on December 6, U.S. President Donald
Trump became the first Gentile leader to officially recognize by
proclamation that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and extolled plans
for a new American Embassy in Jerusalem. This was a specifically timed pronouncement, because the
next day the President and First Lady Melania oversaw a small Hanukkah
celebration at the White House, along with Vice-President Mike Pence and
wife Karen, including Jewish Cabinet and Congressional
members and other special guests. Donald Trump used the White House
celebration to highlight his monumental decision to recognize Jerusalem
as Israel's capital and seat of government. He entered the East Room
then declared Hanukkah “especially
special”, because of his official edict. “There's a lot of happy
people here. Jerusalem!” he spoke to a cheering crowd. He ended with
these words, "God bless. May you all have a truly blessed
and happy Hanukkah." Now, the world cannot ignore the fact that
Jerusalem is indeed the undivided capital of the nation of Israel. President
Trump Remarks at White House Hanukkah Reception
However, in contrast, the Muslim nations surrounding Israel and international bodies were “reeling” from the Jerusalem news, and condemnation and rioting began almost immediately. Then, on the seventh day of Hanukkah, Egypt and the UN Security Council advanced a resolution to reject America’s recognition of Jerusalem; however, while 14 members voted in favor, the U.S. stood alone and vetoed it. It was the first veto cast by the United States in the Security Council in more than six years. This seems to be a precursor for the beginning of the “blessings” for Israel, but with it will come the “shaking of the nations,” Haggai spoke of so many years ago, that will begin small, but quickly grow in intensity.
Events of Hanukkah 2017 and continued blessings of the three years that followed from President Trump represented either a current or a future fulfillment for the Haggai prediction of Kislev 24. Hanukkah 2017 brought with it the U.S. and Israel signed the secret pact to tackle the Iranian nuclear and missile threat. According to Israeli TV Channel 10, "Dramatic understandings" were agreed at the White House, and a deal was signed by the two countries' national security chiefs. The two nations secretly sealed a far-reaching joint memorandum of understanding providing for full cooperation to deal with Iran’s nuclear drive, its missile programs and its other threatening activities. The document was signed on December 12, 2017 (the 24th of Kislev) at the White House, culminating intensive talks between representatives of the major Israeli and American intelligence and defense hierarchies, headed by the US and Israeli national security advisers, H. R. McMaster and Meir Ben-Shabbat, respectively. Specifically, they agreed to set up joint teams to handle various aspects of the Iranian threat. The meeting confirmed that the U.S. and Israel “see eye to eye on the trends and processes in the region,” and have now reached agreement on the strategy and policy required to deal with them. Israeli TV Channel 10 reporter Barak Ravid said, “With all due respect to President Trump’s [December 6] declaration on Jerusalem [as the capital of Israel]”, the December 12 “dramatic understandings” will have “a far greater impact on the security of Israel’s citizens.”
What followed in 2018 was a series
of Festival speeches and announcements in which President Trump,
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Former National Security Advisor John Bolton
forecasting the U.S. pressure on Iran would be 
increasing until a final
confrontation, if need be. These occurred on Shavuot (May 21, 2018);
Tisha B'Av (July 22, 2018); Sukkot (September 26, 2018); Simchat Torah
(October 3, 2018), on the 100th Full Anniversary of the Balfour
Declaration (November 2, 2018). All these were followed up on the 24th
of Kislev (first evening of Hanukkah) with a reported U.S. bombing of
the Iranian forces in Syria and Netanyahu's impromptu meeting with Mike
Pompeo in Brussels concerning Iran and regional developments. This was
followed a couple of years later on
September 15, 2020 (3 days before Rosh HaShanah), when Trump orchestrated the peace treaties between
Israel and UAE and Bahrain.
Hanukkah’s Beginning & Modern History
How did the first candle lighting of the annual Hanukkah celebration land
in tandem with Haggai’s prophecy, written a few hundred years
earlier? During the second century BC in the
period of the Maccabees when Syrian ruler
Antiochus IV unleashed his great persecution against the Jews of
Judea/Palestine, it was on Haggai's Kislev 24 date that the enemy was
defeated and
the Temple was freed from its desecration. The Second Temple was
rededicated to holy use to the joy of God's people. That's why from that
day forward the Jewish
Festival is celebrated beginning at sundown, the evening of Kislev 24. This
would give further recognition and emphasis to the day that would
eventually fulfill Haggai's end-time predictions.
Sometimes, only
in looking back can an event, or a sequence of historical episodes, be recognized as
prophetic precursors.
the
Battle of Beersheba in the Holy Land brought the first major victory for
Britain in World War I, in overcoming the 400-year-old Turkish/Ottoman
Empire that held sway over Palestine. Also, the final draft of the
British Balfour Declaration was concluded the same day and typed and
delivered two
days later, on November 2, 1917—identifying the first Gentile nation in
nearly 2,000 years to publicly support the establishment of a Jewish
homeland. Forty days later, on December 9, 1917, General Allenby,
leading the British forces, liberated Jerusalem for the first time in
centuries from Turkish/Muslim rule. The date on the Jewish calendar–Kislev
24!
These significant historical events set in motion the restoration of Davidic sovereignty over the Holy Land that came to fruition thirty years later through legal actions in late November 1947, when the United Nations General Assembly passed the UN Mandate resolution calling for the establishment of a Jewish State, culminating a few months later with the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel in May. Adding 70 years, we reach November 29, 2017--just one of several Biblically important time periods that ended in the year 2017. We may discover in time that 2017 was a countdown marker that in the future culminates in Middle East turmoil and the great shaking of nations Haggai wrote about that will mushroom into immense global tragedy, which may very well come into greater focus on increasing Israeli confrontation against Israel's primary enemy Iran in the Syrian region.
One
hundred years ago, it's doubtful that General Allenby was aware, during the heat of the battle, it
was the starting day of the Hanukkah Festival lighting when his army
conquered Jerusalem and he walked into the city two days later during
the eight-day Festival, but most certainly he knew nothing of Kislev 24,
described in Haggai. The Torah reading that week was Genesis 41, where
Joseph is raised to power and saves Judah. And, the Haftarah reading (a
selection from one of the Biblical books of the Prophets) for the
special Sabbath of Hanukkah, as it is today, is based on the fascinating
book of Zechariah! “Return to me… and I will
return to you, says the Lord
of hosts,” which seems to be the essential meaning of THIS DAY.
Zechariah
encouraged the people of Judah to rebuild the Temple that had been
destroyed in 586 BC. He prophesied towards the end of the 70 years of
waiting that
separated the destruction of the First Temple from the dedication of the
Second Temple, but all the nations that surrounded Judah were opposed to
the reconstruction of the Temple because they did not want to see Judah
rise to power once again. So, it is today.
If
we begin checking history over the past 2,520 years, there have been
numerous times when Kislev 24 played a large part, and even a smaller
more symbolic part, in the unfolding of redemptive history. For example,
it seems possible that Mary became pregnant with Yeshua on Kislev
24, nine months before his birth at the Feast of Tabernacles in
September 3 BC..
Significant Historical & Modern-day Events of 2017 & The Years to Follow
The
messages Haggai received on very specific dates set a pattern for modern
last-day events as the appointed times of the 
end
counting periods approach. His first encounter occurred on the “first
day of the sixth month” (1:1)—the first day of the Jewish month of
Elul, the annual period of repentance and serious reflection leading up
to the High Holy Days, which in 2017 arrived on August 23rd, three days after
the North American solar eclipse and darkening of the sun that crossed
the United States on August 21st—a sky event that Jews consider to be
a dire warning in the heavens for the nations of the world, but most
specifically for America. Since that point, the U.S. has experienced
several natural disasters and an ever-increasing concern over Syria, Iran and Russia’s true intentions on the world stage.
Haggai’s
message was that God’s people, not only in the United States but
around the world, should “give careful thought to your ways” (1:5),
because His people are lacking God’s best. It’s time to take care of
spiritual matters above material/earthly pursuits, for the great shaking
will soon overtake the planet and hardships will prevail. In this
regard, God has offered ancient warnings for our modern times that
global shaking, earth-shattering events and financial and social collapse are near, and
it’s time to focus on our relationship with our LORD and SAVIOR and
His holiness. The
waves of prophetic events long ago foretold in Haggai, Daniel,
Revelation, and the other prophetic scrolls, could overtake us suddenly.
Words cannot adequately portray the destructive episodes and magnitude
of fear and turmoil that lay just ahead. We must know Jesus—Yeshua as our
personal Savior, and be spiritually prepared for the physical hardships,
personal loss and realities of a world gone mad.
Haggai's second encounter with the Heavenly Messenger occurred on the “twenty-first day of the seventh month” (2:1)—the last day of Sukkot—the Feast of Tabernacles, corresponding to October 11, 2017. The following day on Shmini Atzeret, the eighth day of celebration prescribed in Leviticus 23:36, President Donald Trump gave his notorious speech on Iran, decertifying the JCPOA deal—his first major step in leading the nations to the West’s prophetic war against the Persians foretold in Jeremiah 49:34-39 and Daniel 8:1-8, to explode as "the time of the end" begins (vs. 17,19).
This was followed by Trump’s
Hanukkah announcement to move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem and the
secret pact signed at Hanukkah on December 12, 2017 (the 24th of Kislev;
eve of Hanukkah) at the White House
to coordinate a united effort to deal with the Iranian threat. What
followed in 2018 was US leadership speeches and actions to enforce ever
increasing pressure on Iran, which always occurred on Biblical/Jewish
holy days or historical dates of modern Israeli history to signal their
prophetic significance. Here are the dates laid out to show the US
pressure as it increased against Iran during the last year, which will
ultimately lead to the prophetic war foretold in Daniel chapter 8.
Over the last 120 years, the world has been quietly marching around the sun spinning towards the appointed time God ordain from before the beginning of time. Now, the clock sits just before midnight and the world at large is about to explode into chaos and turmoil beyond the faculty of mind to fully imagine, but which tomorrow we will surely face. From Theodor Herzl's inaugural First Zionist Congress in late August 1897 to promote Jewish immigration to Palestine in an effort to form a modern Jewish state, we add 120 years and this brings us to August 2017. Then follows the Balfour Declaration delivered in November 1917 to which we can add 100 years; this takes us to November 2017. From the UN Partition in November 1947 we add 70 years and come to November 2017. From the retaking of the Western Wall in June of 1967 during the Six-Day War, we can add 50 years; this takes us to June 2017. All these time periods point to the year 2017 and beyond as being the "years of focus" signaling we are marching towards the fulfillment of the appointed times of the end.
Modern Events Showing God's Promised Blessings "From this day forward".
1) October 11, 2017
Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
President Trump gives notorious speech on Iran,
decertifying the JCPOA deal
2) December 12, 2017
Hanukkah
President Trump signs a secret pact at the White
House with Israel to take on the Iranian threat.
3) May 21, 2018
Shavuot
Mike Pompeo, the
70th United States Secretary of State, gives speech laying out 12 demands on Iran
4) July 22, 2018
Tisha B’Av
Mike Pompeo gives urgent speech on Iran &
National Security Advisor John Bolton simultaneously gives speech
doubling-down on President Trump’s tweet warning Iran of consequences
for threatening the US
5) September 26, 2018
Sukkot
President
Trump gives two UN speeches focused on Iran's aggressions--accusing Iran
of sowing "chaos, death and destruction" across the
Middle East. John Bolton gave a speech with these words of warning to
Iran. "There will be hell to pay" and "we will come after
you." Mike Pompeo also gave a speech related to Iran. Adding to the
ramping pressure, the same day the US State Department issued a 48-page report
called: A Chronicle of Iran's Destructive Activities. Last, but not
least, Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a UN speech primarily
about Iran's threat and secret nuclear sites.
6) October 3, 2018
Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
Mike Pompeo announced the US is terminating the 1955
treaty, further severing times with Iran, while John Bolton warned Iran
is not dismantling its nuclear program
7) November 2, 2018
Balfour Anniversary
President
Trump announces the US is officially re-imposing all
sanctions on Iran
8) September 15, 2020
Peace Treaty (3 Days Before Rosh HaShanah)
9) December 10-18, 2020
Hanukkah
What is to come? Events that lead to war with Iran, Israel's fiercest modern-day enemy? Starting the chain of events leading to World War 3?
Haggai's Visions for the Last Generation
The
message of Haggai chapter 2 is particularly dedicated to those who are
heeding the first message and have taken up the cause to work in
building up the house of God. His words are “‘Be strong, all you
people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with
you... My Spirit remains. Do not fear,’” (2:4-5). Why the warning
for His people to work, even while great turmoil is about to hit with
unrelenting force? Because... “In a little while I will once more
shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake
all nations” (2:6-7) in global turmoil in order that Heaven's Kingdom can be ushered in
and “I [God] will fill this house [not made with human hands] with
glory” when all the gathered nations enter the Bride’s gates of
pearl in the New Jerusalem for the Sukkot wedding described in the Apocalypse of John to
commence at the end of the counting periods (Revelation 7:9-17; 19:7-9).
“On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month” (2:10; Kislev 24) Haggai receives another message, which as mentioned is the date that leads up to the evening when the first Hanukkah candle is lit. The message the prophet receives relates to how a person is defiled. The warning is that the nation of Israel (but, also including believers of all nations who are grafted in) are defiled by sin and need to repent with sincere hearts. Tribulation sits at our doorsteps. Past economic troubles have already taught us that God's blessings can be quickly extinguished, particularly as we embrace sin and remove God from the public square. However, we are to “give careful thought” to where we are in time, because from the “twenty-fourth day of the ninth month” and onward, God says “I will bless you” (2:18-19) Israel by setting into motion God’s final plan of redemption, which events center on Jerusalem. President Trump's Hanukkah blessing in 2017 as the world’s great superpower by officially recognizing Jerusalem as the Jewish capital, signifies that soon believers of all nations—Jews and Gentiles alike—will inherit the New Jerusalem, as the eternal capital of Mashiach’s Kingdom; but, it also signals global troubles that initiate the period of supernatural events foretold in the ancient Hebrew prophecies and illustrated through The Kingdom Calendar, with growing acceleration beginning at a future Hanukkah and the months to follow that will lead to end-time trials. Only through the birth pains, and the counting of the appointed times and purification through turmoil, can Messiah’s eternal blessings be fully delivered to a chosen people ready to receive them and the grafted in Gentiles.
The trials of war, starting in the Middle
East with the Persians of Iran and Syrians to the north of Israel, will quickly escalate globally into World War 3.
Haggai (2:20-22) is told, “I am going to shake the heavens and the
earth. I will overthrow royal thrones and shatter the power of the
foreign [Gentile] kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers
[military conquests]; horses and their riders will fall [both military
machinery and fighters], each by the sword of his brother.” The
nations will turn on Israel and each other. The Haggai prophecy
indicates fiery cosmic and seismic events will shake the planet,
causing a major crisis-point in world affairs, and signaling death and
turmoil that will eventually reach its climax a few years later at the
Battle of Armageddon.
In relation to Haggai's contemporary prophet
Zechariah recorded in chapter 4 we find Zerubbabel mentioned again. Zechariah sees
a Lampstand of seven lamps [representing Mashiach—the Menorah of the
World], with two olive trees,
one on each side of the Lampstand, which point to the two
anointed witnesses—“these are the two
anointed ones [Moses and Elijah], that stand by the LORD of the whole earth," (4:14 KJV). We find that
rulers, priests and prophets are anointed throughout the ancient Scriptures. God’s work is
completed not by strength or military might, but by His miraculous
intervention in the affairs of mankind: “Not by might nor by power,
but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty,” (4:6). Revelation
11:4 adds a timeline of duty, connected to Zechariah’s prophecy:
“And I will appoint my two witnesses, [Moses and Elijah] and they will
prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” They are “the two
olive trees” and the two lampstands, who “stand before the LORD of
the earth.”
In
the book of Malachi it is said of Elijah the prophet, “I will send My
messenger, who will prepare the way before Me” for 1,260 days. “Then
suddenly the LORD you are seeking will come to His temple; the Messenger
of the Covenant [Yeshua], whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord
Almighty. But who can endure
the Day of His coming?”
Then, he identifies the two notable prophets by name: “Remember the law of my
servant Moses, the decrees and
laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. ‘See, I will send the prophet
Elijah to you before that
Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord
comes,’” (Malachi 3:1-2; 4:4-5).
The
LORD continues in Zechariah 4:7 by describing a very important end-time
event: “What are you, mighty mountain? You will become level
ground.” Only after the mighty mountain—the obstacle—is leveled
can and will the last-day work begin, and 
the
third Temple rebuilt. The obstacle shall give way, the difficulty must
vanish, the opposition cease. Where is the mighty mountain, you ask?
Where all the Temples have been built—Jerusalem, and specifically the
TEMPLE MOUNT. Psalm 2:6 says, “I have installed My King on Zion, My
holy mountain.” And, “Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
in the City of our God, His holy mountain,” (Psalm 48:1); followed by,
“He has founded His City on the holy mountain,” (Psalm 87:1). Soon,
the Islamic structures on the Mount and Jordan’s Islamic Waqf
influence over the mountain will diminish to ruins, both in physical structures
and overarching control. Following the Festival pattern, the destruction inside
Jerusalem will take away daily worship at the Western Wall and Temple
Mount and start the 1,290 and 1,335 counting days of Daniel 12:11-12,
followed by the 1,260 days.
So, what can we conclude from the Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi prophecies, which are filled with end-time predictions? The ancient visions and dates correlate to final events, which precursor events occurred in late 2017 and have continued through 2020. At first, almost indistinguishable, slowly increasing after the solar eclipse with natural disasters of winds, fires, floods and threats of Middle East turmoil; then, with the Trump “blessing” of Israel at Hanukkah on December 6, 2017 followed by his joint U.S.-Israeli pact against Iran--Israel's most prominent modern-day threat--exactly on December 12, 2017 (Kislev 24) the "twenty-fourth day of the ninth month." This was followed by several more significant speeches and actions in 2018 related to Iran on Biblical/Jewish festivals and historical dates. Now we are in the numbing grip of the global COVID pandemic, with daily losses of lives, businesses and incomes, along with a decline in liberty and freedoms.
The Hanukkah 2017 blessing 
to Israel
and recent peace treaties of September 2020 represent an American willingness to aid in Israel's confrontation
with Iran, which will lead to
the unfolding of global turmoil that will build day by day towards the Iranian/Syrian
confrontations,
Middle East war
and World War III,
followed by
the supernatural rise of the European Antichrist.
However, no matter what global conflicts and unimaginable
devastation occurs in the appointed counting periods ahead, we have the
Light of the World to shine upon us. The
Kingdom Calendar will encourage us as we count Heaven’s prophetic
time, day by day; and, the Spirit will lead us, whether in life or
death, as we depend upon Him. In the days of darkness, we may not always
see God’s hands, so we must trust above all in His heart of love, His
Words of Truth, and His promise of an eternal Kingdom of peace, justice
and happiness when tears are wiped away.
More
on Hanukkah’s Historic Link to Haggai’s
Kislev 24 Prophecies
In
the centuries before the birth of Jesus, the people of Israel and
Jerusalem had been held under years of tribute to various conquering
kings. One of these ruling monarchs was Antiochus, one of the Seleucid
Kings who reigned in Syria. Resistance finally arose against him. Under
the leadership of the Maccabees, the people of Jerusalem overthrew
Antiochus and his pagan practices in 166 BC. The Syrians and their Greek
religion were driven out, and the altar was rebuilt. The Temple was
cleansed, restored, and rededicated to the service of Yahweh. The
Festival of Hanukkah celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple
following Judah Maccabee's victory over the Seleucids. According to
Rabbinic tradition, the victorious Maccabees could only find a small jug
of oil that had remained uncontaminated by virtue of a seal, and
although it only contained enough oil to sustain the Menorah for one
day, it miraculously lasted for eight days, by which time further oil
could be procured. Therefore, it was decreed there should be eight days
of celebration, with rejoicing and gladness, to mark the re-dedication
of the altar, to remember the victory, and to recount the miracle of the
supply of oil that lasted through this period. This occurred late
in the year, connected to Haggai’s Kislev 24th momentous
prophecy.
Moses’ first miracle was the bush that would not burn (Exodus 3:1-3); it was an amazing miracle that could not be missed. The miracle of Hanukkah was the oil that would not burn. However, it was a subtle miracle that unfolded over several days. Sometimes miracles are awe-inspiring, like the burning bush and parting of the Red Sea; at other times, they are slow and restrained, and take eyes of faith to see them. As the oil lasted eight days, so Jews too have survived the Diaspora, the pogroms, and the burning flames of Auschwitz; and, the state of Israel has been recognized and its prophetic role methodically reestablished through God’s miraculous events of 1917, 1947/48, the Six-Day War of 1967, and followed by significant events of 2017 and the years that have followed.
As
in the past, Israel continues to be haunted by the Syrian and now Iranian
enemies, along with foes such as Hezbollah, Hamas, Iraq and Libya, all backed by anti-Semitism forged
through UN votes cast by hostile international representatives. The
prophet Haggai spoke prophetically of events in his day and
trials of the last days—that God was about to exalt His chosen with
blessings by overthrowing the nations and military might of Israel's
enemies who hate them, including Damascus (Isaiah 17) and Iran (Daniel
8; Jeremiah 49); thereby, extolling Israel with miraculous victories and enlargement
of its territory, as God promised long ago. Therefore, expect major
military showdowns with Israel’s enemies as the end-times begin.
As mentioned, the enlargement of Israel’s territory is a
continuation of God’s blessings that began with
the British Balfour Declaration on November 2, 1917, and forty days
later when the Turks surrendered Palestine to the British during World
War I, on the 24th day of Kislev—December 9, 1917, followed
by acknowledgment of Jerusalem’s capital by the world’s current
superpower a century later, almost to the day.
Hanukkah
was not part of the original Festival celebrations Yahweh gave to the
Israelites; nor is Purim, recorded in the book of Esther. However, God inspired their rehearsal celebrations for His divine
purposes, in foretelling final events.
In addition to the seven Festival events of Leviticus 23, both
Hanukkah and Purim were instituted to commemorate God's mercy and His
miraculous power and protection over Israel’s enemies.
Both remind Jews of victory over tyranny, and God’s provision
for His people—past, present and future, during the appointed time of
the end, when bright hope will spring forth from the greatest of
tragedies.
ARTICLES ABOUT TRUMP'S JERUSALEM RECOGNITION & ISRAEL'S BLESSINGS THAT HAVE FOLLOWED
Sep 17, 2020
Trump: We thank God for all the Good things that Happened to Israel under my Administration
The president also said that the Jewish people are a “blessing to the world. Today we thank almighty God for his infinite goodness and for the renewed hope for this peace and for all of the good things that have happened to Israel under this administration."
Sep 15, 2020
The peace treaties between the UAE, Bahrain and Israel are signed
Jan 10, 2018
Bibi Netanyahu reveals how big a deal it was from Trump to recognize Jerusalem’s reality
Jan 9, 2018
Was 2017 Record Year of Disasters a Famed Mystic’s Final Pre-Messiah Warning?
Jan 4, 2018
Jonathan Cahn Speaks on Trump, Jerusalem, And The End Times
Jan 2, 2018
Trump Has Inspired A Staggering Number Of Countries To Move Their Embassy To Jerusalem
Jan 1, 2018
Kuwaiti report: US gives Israel go-ahead to kill powerful Iranian general
Dec 29. 2017
Scoop: U.S. and Israel reach joint plan to counter Iran
Dec 28, 2017
Report: US, Israel sign secret pact to tackle Iran nuclear and missile threat
'Dramatic understandings' were agreed at the White House on December 12, and deal signed by the two countries' national security chiefs, Channel 10 says
Dec 28, 2017
The US and Israel reportedly signed a secret pact to take on Iran
Dec 14, 2017
POLLAK: Eight Reasons This Year’s Hanukkah Is the Best in a Long Time
Dec 7, 2017
Netanyahu likens Trump’s Jerusalem speech to Israel’s founding
Dec 7, 2017
Trump’s Jerusalem Declaration ‘Enormous Step Towards Bringing Third Temple’
"1917 was the Balfour Declaration establishing Israel for the nations,” Hayman told Breaking Israel News. “2017 was Trump’s declaration.”
Dec 7, 2017
250 Rabbis Bless Trump With Biblical Joshua’s Strength in Letter of Support
Dec 6, 2017
'Biblical Timing of Absolute Precision:' John Hagee Praises Trump's Jerusalem Decision
"'If you look at 1917, it was a Jubilee Year, and the Balfour Amendment came, and then in 50 years, it was 1967, and Jerusalem was reconnected to Israel,'" he continued. "'And you add 50 to 1967, and you're in 2017.' I said, 'This is the year to move the embassy and make that declaration because it is a biblical timing of absolute precision,'" Hagee said. "Thank God, he's going to do exactly that."
Dec 6, 2017
9 Points about Jerusalem and the Jews as the Arab World Reacts
Dec 6, 2017
Dec 6, 2017
'Three days of WRATH' Fears of riots in Israel streets over Trump's plan to move embassy
Dec 6, 2017
Palestinian envoy says US recognition of Jerusalem is 'declaring war'
Dec 6, 2017
Turkey says declaring Jerusalem Israel's capital will start 'fire with no end in sight'
Dec 5, 2017
TV: Netanyahu and aides were ‘active partners’ with Trump team on Jerusalem move
Dec 5, 2017
Palestinians: Three days of rage over Trump's decision on Jerusalem
Dec 5, 2017
Video: The Truth About Jerusalem
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