The Hanukkah 2011 Watch Period

(continued)

This year Hanukkah begins the evening of December 20, 2011 (as it does annually on the 24th day of the ninth month called Kislev).  Today, Israel is again surrounded by  powerful enemies--Syria, Iran, Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Turkey, and many others. The prophet Haggai spoke prophetically of events in his day and events of the last days--that God was about to bless Israel with eternal blessings by overthrowing the nations and military might of Israel's enemies who surrounded them. The war of words would begin on the 24th day of Kislev. 

Some 350 years before the Maccabees revolt when the Jew's fought and won back control of Jerusalem from the Syrian Antiochus in the month of Kislev, the prophet Haggai prophesied: "Now give careful thought to this from this day on—consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the LORD’s temple... ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month [Kivlev], give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid. Give careful thought: Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. “‘From this day on I will bless you.'"  The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the [ninth] month: “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. “‘On that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD Almighty," Haggai 2.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Haggai 2 says, "The Lord will preserve Zerubbabel and the people of Judah, amidst their enemies. Here is also foretold the establishment and continuance of the kingdom of Christ... even to that time when the kingdom of Christ shall overthrow and occupy the place of all the empires which opposed His cause. The promise has special reference to Christ, who descended from Zerubbabel in a direct line, and is the sole Builder of the gospel temple. Our Lord Jesus is the Signet on God's right hand, for all power is given to Him, and derived from Him. By Him, and in Him, all the promises of God are yea and amen."   

Therefore, the commemorative Hanukia-lighting that has been celebrated for over 2,000 years has been God's rehearsal for the future end-of-days fulfillment that is now in process.  Hanukkah portrays war that will lead to the downfall of Israel's most determined enemies--including Syria and Iran--whose ultimate destruction will culminate three and one-half years later at the return of the triumphant conquering King of kings, the Anointed Light of the World.

During or after the lights of Hanukkah are kindled the hymn Hanerot Halalu is recited: "We light these lights for the miracles and the wonders, for the redemption and the battles that you made for our forefathers, in those days at this season, through your holy priests. During all eight days of Hanukkah these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them except for to look at them in order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your salvations."

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"He [Panetta] is no longer warning Israel against attacking Iran and appears to be taking the opposite tack: We must stop Iran crossing the shared red line to an "unacceptable" nuclear weapon. "If we have to do it we will deal with it," he said, referring to the military option... Iran's capture of the American RQ-170 stealth drone on Dec. 4 brought home to US military and intelligence planners that a military showdown between the US and Iran is no longer avoidable."

'Iran could assemble nuclear bomb in under a year'

"Barak, who returned Monday from a trip to Washington where he met US President Barack Obama, said there was a “deep understanding” between Israel and the US on the intelligence picture regarding Iran, as well as on the belief that a nuclear Iran was unacceptable, and that everything must be done to keep Tehran from reaching that potential."

December 21, 2011

Top US general: Iran's dangerous game could draw Mid East and US into conflict

"He was described as quietly leading the ongoing military planning for an attack against Iran's nuclear weapons if the president gives the order to do so. "We are examining a range of options," said the US general. "Don't push it," he warned Iran...Debkafile's military and Washington sources say it should be noted that in the space of 24 hours, America's two top security figures have referred to war with Iran as a realistic and imminent possibility."

December 22, 2011

Iran starts building a nuclear weapon: US and Israel tighten cooperation

"The White House has... accepted the Israeli assessment of Iran's nuclear bomb time table and endorses the conviction that unless Iran retreats from its decision to build a nuclear bomb and steps back from the process it set in train this month, the only option remaining will be a military strike to disable its nuclear program."

Dec 22, 2011

Iran Navy to hold 10-day war game in Persian Gulf

"After recent comments by Western officials in favor of an attack on Tehran's nuclear sites, Iran to launch wide-ranging military maneuver in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday."

Dec 26, 2011

No Holds Barred: Hanukka and the true lessons of war

"ON HANUKKA the Jews – the people of the book, not the sword – are forced to take up arms to defend their right to worship God according to their conscience."

Dec 27, 2011

Will a U.S. attack on Iran become Surprise?

Dec 28, 2011

Oil standoff: Iran, West on brink of war?

Although Hanukkah (known as the Feast of Dedication--John 10:22-24, and the Festival of Lights) and Purim (recorded in the Book of Esther) were not part of the original Covenant agreement that Yahweh made with the Israelites, He inspired them.  Like the seven Biblical Feast Days, these two annual rehearsals were instituted to commemorate God's miraculous power, protection and mercy.  Both remind Jews of victory over tyranny, and God's provision for His people--past, present and future.  The Jews in Haggai's times hesitated about going forward with the work of the temple, through dread of the world power, Medo-Persia [today's Iraq-Iran dual], influenced by the craft of Samaria [today's Syria]. The prophet Haggai assures the children of Israel these three enemies--and all other world powers--will fall before Messiah reigns in the ultimate Temple; therefore they need not fear.

In another prophetic passage in Zechariah 4—the chapter of candlesticks, lamps, light, and oil—we also find the theme of Hanukkah!  We read, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts," (Zechariah 4:6). It was in this chapter that God revealed in symbolic fashion the two olive trees, also called His two lampstands--"the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth," (Zechariah 4:14); of whom God says, "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, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth," (Revelation 11:4).  Therefore, the Holy Spirit reveals the grace and work of God through the historical and future end-time prophetic events of Hanukkah 2011, and the two witnesses associated with final events that will arrive soon thereafter.  

Last year Israel experienced the driest November in decades, and there was formal prayer vigils at the Western Wall just before Hanukkah.  The news of fiery destruction on Mt Carmel last year is a prophetic foreboding of things to come this year and next.  Mt Carmel is mentioned some 25 times in the Bible, which signifies its importance (see this article).  It was on Mt Carmel that Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18) after a long three and one-half (3 1/2) years of drought. Last year's drought and fiery destruction at this Festival season signifies fair greater tragedy to come to Israel, and the soon return of the great prophet Elijah.  “I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the Messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty... I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful Day of the LORD comes," (Malachi 3:1; 4:5).

Purim 2012

Purim 2012 represents the start date of the Appointed Times & Seasons Calendar. Jesus told His disciples that major worldwide conflict would be one of the first and foremost signs at the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:5-8). The first half of the war found in Daniel 8:1-8, between the Western Coalition and Iraq (Media), began years ago at Purim, March 19, 2003 (15 Adar II). The second conflict that leads to war with "the horn [Iran--Persia, that] was longer ["bigger"-K.J.V.] than the other [Iraq] but grew up later," is at hand. 

The increasing level of natural disasters, anxiety in the Middle East, rising tensions with Iran, China and Russia, and threats of global war are all signs of the times.  All indicate that we are on a path to worldwide destruction that cannot be stopped, as eventually played out in the trumpet and vial woes described in the apocalyptic book of Revelation. When the Middle East and Iranian conflicts erupt, then watch for nuclear war, mass destruction and holocaust soon thereafter.  Global society and structure will forever change, setting the stage for the unfolding of final events that will conclude in the fall of 2015. 

Jerusalem: The Focus of Prophecy

The city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount are the focus of end-time tragedy; the center of worship is where the end-time disaster and the prophetic counting periods begin, and the end-times end.  Yeshua, the greatest Prophet, forewarned of the Temple Mount area, "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down," Matthew 24:2. The 1,290 prophetic counting days would begin with the taking away of daily worship at the Western Wall and Temple Mount--the days that will lead to a rebuilt temple (video by CBN) and ultimately to the opened door into the Most Holy Place in the Temple in Heaven on the Day of Atonement, when the Ark of the Covenant of God's judgment is revealed.  

Prophecy: God's Divine Revelation to Mankind

Marvin Rosenthal wrote, "In simplest terms, revelation is the disclosing of truth to man which could not have been known apart from divine enablement -- things about God, the origin of the universe, [and] the end of the age." 

We can be thankful that God chose Hebrew prophets to receive and relay the visions and dreams that reveal events just before the return of Yeshua--Jesus our Messiah.  We want as many details God is willing to share as to how this will all come about, because we want desperately to be on the right side of the conflict when deception will flourish and the earth is coming unhinged. There is an awakening, even among the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.  We look forward to His supernatural intervention when He will transform our losses and earth's sin-filled past into a Son-filled future, changing forever the course of human history as we know it.  What a day that will be!  When enemies will be gone, and death, destruction and separation will no longer haunt us. 

However, "Paul, with all his spiritual insight, admitted his personal limitation (and, in turn, our constraint) in comprehending the full scope of those final events until the visible return of our Savior when all things will become known: "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully," 1 Corinthians 13:9-12.  This reflects the great prophet Daniel and his frustration of seeing a divine revelation, but not understanding what he saw: "I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding," Daniel 8:27. 

In spite of the prophets' limitations, we--the last generation--have the promise of Heaven in Daniel 12:9-10, which says, "the words [of Daniel] are closed up and sealed until the time of the end… None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.”  Let God be true, and every man a liar (Romans 3:4); the book of Daniel will be understood in a profound way at the end of time!  God's Word declares it.  The scroll's mysterious time frames and visions will be made clearer as the light from God's throne shines brighter, piercing through the darkness of deception that is about to fall across our planet in these final days.

Regardless of our past disappointments and the long delay, we must keep on proclaiming with confidence and passion the great promise of our soon-coming King.  Why?  Because the death, resurrection and eternal reign of our King Yeshua is the focus of the Word of God.  We stand in the company of great prophets and saints... John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, James and the Apostle John; they all believed and proclaimed with confidence the end of the age and the future kingdom.  Jesus energized the disciples and early church to accomplish great goals in view of the shortness of time.  Each year since those early proclamations brings us that much closer to the Great Day of the LORD.

Fifteen years ago this ministry first published the connection between the appointed times and God's Festivals, proving that all of the Biblical time periods fit between the Jewish Feasts from years 1997-2000. We spent 15 years proclaiming that the world would end shortly. However, considering the prophets proclaimed the soon coming King 2,000 years ago, 15 years early isn't so bad. We may have been early a few times, but no one can say we are late in proclaiming Messiah's return!

World War III

The US and world economies continue to struggle season after season, and all seem susceptible to total collapse.  The relationship between the US, our European allies and the Russian Bear is tenuous.  The cry is getting louder for Muslims to unite against Israel, and soon Jerusalem will feel the pain. The Middle East is sitting on a powder keg of destruction, and the nations seem destine for a global showdown and World War III. 

Over 2,000 years ago, Hebrew prophets such as Ezekiel, Daniel and John forewarned of a series of tragic end-time events to strike Israel and the world at large, which will climax at the return of God's Son.  Their prophecies foretell global tragedies, which point to earthquakes and other natural disasters, economic collapse, pandemics, famine, and widespread death and destruction on the scale of thermonuclear disaster. Added to that, supernatural signs will increase and deceive, and hatred and betrayal will become more commonplace among family and friends. 

There is a growing hatred for Israel, Judaism and Jews; in part, to the powers of darkness who want to destroy God's elect. In addition, there is mounting hatred directed against the world's banking moguls, many who are driven by power and money, whom Satan is manipulating to set up a one-world financial order that will eventually control buying and selling.  These men, working in concert with Rome's guidance, will ultimately lead to Jerusalem's revulsion and quick demise. The Holy City will be the recipient of mass amounts of money and world attention in the final days, and Scripture refers to her as the luxuriously well-cared for woman "dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH," Revelation 17:4-5.

Zechariah proclaims, "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling," (12:2). The end will begin with Jerusalem in the center of the controversy; the end will finalize with the "great city" (Revelation 11:8) in the crosshairs. Once the controversy begins in the Middle East and in Israel, the Holy Land and the world will never be the same again. You'll Never Be The Same - Music Video

“O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people [Israel]; they plot against those you cherish. "Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more." With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you… Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name, O Yahweh.  May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that you, whose Name is the Yahweh— that you alone are the Most High over all the earth." (Psalm 83).

Jerusalem today is a city of three faiths--Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  A survey in 2006 identified 1,200 synagogues, 150 churches and 70 mosques within its boundaries.  Benjamin Netanyahu, on Jerusalem Day, May 22, 2009, said, "Unified Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Jerusalem always has been and always will be ours and it will never be divided again... I stand here today… saying what I said in my visit to the US: Jerusalem will never be divided again. Only Israeli sovereignty over the city would ensure the freedom of religion for the three faiths, and it is the only thing that can guarantee that all minorities and congregations could continue living in it."

One day soon Messiah will stand on the Mount of Olives and split apart the Great City with a massive earthquake, and fighting over the holy sites between the three religions of Jerusalem (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) will be vanquished as the buildings fall in ruins (Matthew 24:2).  Starting with Jerusalem, He will bring an end to powerful cities and corrupt governments worldwide, and with the global destruction the schemes of Satan will fail: "The Seventh Angel poured out His bowl into the air, and out of the Temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The Great City [Jerusalem] split into three parts [dividing the three religions of Jerusalem, which have joined together with Antichrist against God], and the cities of the nations collapsed," Revelation 16:17-19.  "Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south... You will flee [in fear] as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah," Zechariah 14:3-5.

Pope visits Jerusalem's Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, 

"Here the paths of the world's three great monotheistic religions meet, reminding us what they share in common," Benedict said during a meeting with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Muhammad Ahmad Hussein. "In a world sadly torn by divisions, this sacred place serves as a stimulus, and also challenges men and women of good will to overcome misunderstandings and conflicts of the past." Pope Benedict XVI