A Festival of Dedicated Lights*

Although Hanukkah, which means "Dedication", is not one of the original feasts ordained by God, Jesus observed Hanukkah, which is also called the Feast of Dedication, or the Festival of Lights. It was at the Feast of Dedication, that Jesus told as clearly as possible when asked by His questioners: "If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly." (Jn. 10:22-24). Earlier, Jesus had told His listeners, "I am the good shepherd." (Jn. 10:10-18). Though the devil meant nothing but evil and destruction towards men, as the Good Shepherd, Jesus came to give His life to protect the sheep. Jesus came "that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (v. 10). Jesus also said: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." (v. 16). At the Feast of Dedication, Jesus continued this revelation: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. I and my Father are one." (v. 27-30). He identified Himself to the questioners by the works of His Father, which He did in His Father's name. His questioners did not believe Him, Jesus told them, because they were not of His sheep. This was His message at the Feast of Dedication: those who hear and follow their Good Shepherd, and are saved from the destruction of the devil. Although the works are before their eyes as a testimony, there are those today also who do not believe the miracles of Christ, the works He did and continues to do in His Father's name. Why did Jesus bring this message at the Feast of Dedication? There are those who believe, but do they understand the importance of being "dedicated"? We are living tabernacles or temples of God by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. A tabernacle is not just a physical building. It is a dedicated and consecrated place, both physically and in our case, spiritually, for the presence and worship of God. Numbers 7 describes the dedication of the Tabernacle of the congregation: "And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar, and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them." (v. 1). The twelve leaders of every tribe brought offerings of silver, gold, oxen, bullocks, rams, lambs, and goats to be given to the Levites. For twelve days, the offerings of each leader or prince were made on a certain day for the dedication of the altar of the tabernacle. (v. 10-11, 84-88). When this was done, the LORD gave Moses the pattern for the construction and lighting of the lamps of the gold candlestick (Num. 8:1-4). Aaron did this as the LORD had shown Moses. Then Moses was commanded by the LORD: "Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them...Sprinkle water of purifying upon them...and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean." (Num. 8:6-7). The Levites were the tribe of priests from among the children of Israel, to serve in the tabernacle. We also have been called to be priests, as we will read later. We are cleansed by the washing of the Word of God. The Book of 1 Maccabees of the Apocrypha tells the events surrounding the cleansing and re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, which had been defiled by the pagan enemy. When they saw the condition of the temple, they fell down on their faces and repented before God. Judas Maccabee had the defiled altar torn down and re-built with new stones, and the temple furnishings brought in: "They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense and the table. And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple." Judas and the whole congregation then ordained eight days of dedication to begin from the 25th of Casleu from year to year. Priests of "blameless conversation", who loved the Word, were chosen to restore the temple sacrifices and praises (see 1 Maccabees 4:36-59). In the dedication of Solomon's temple, the fire and glory of the LORD filled the temple so that the priests could not stand to pray. The whole congregation worshiped and praised: "For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." (2 Chron. 7:1-3). Solomon offered thousands of animals in sacrifice to dedicate the house of the God. They kept the dedication of the altar for seven days, and assembled together on the eighth day. (v. 4-9). The LORD then appeared to Solomon by night, assuring the king that He had heard Solomon's prayer, and He had "chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice." (v. 12). This dedicated place would be a place where the LORD would hear, and the curses would be broken (see also Rev. 22:3). With this in mind, the LORD promised: "If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house...". (v. 13-15). We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. As we cleanse and dedicate this living temple to Him, our hearts and souls, He fills this living temple with His fire and glory. We are called to be priests and kings in the Kingdom of God, and must dedicate and sanctify ourselves accordingly. The call is to be a holy nation. God wants all of His people to be holy. Moses first saw this priesthood as God called His people to keep His covenant: "...then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.' These are the words which thou shalt speak to the children of Israel." (Ex. 19:5-6). Peter confirmed the same truth regarding the believers in Christ: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ...But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." (1 Pet. 2:1-10, excerpt). Jesus spoke of us being salt and light in the world as He preached about the blessing of those who are "pure in heart", the peacemakers and the persecuted: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid...(but put) on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Mt. 5:8-12, 14-16). Dedicated light in us is like the light that illuminates the holy city of heaven: "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the LORD God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." (Rev. 22:1-5, excerpt). Let this season cause us to be dedicated lights. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 12/5/21 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

Hannukah, Dedication, LIGHT*

Hannukah, the Feast of Dedication, also called the Festival of Lights, is not one of the original feasts of the LORD as given in scripture, but it was proclaimed a feast by Judah Maccabee after the cleansing and dedication of the temple which had been defiled by heathens. Part of tht dedication was the lighting of the Lamp in the temple. The account of the cleansing and dedication of the temple is found in the Apocrypha in the Book of 1 Maccabees. This feast is still kept by the Jews, and was also kept by Jesus: "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch." (Jn. 10:22-23). It was at this time that certain Jews demanded of Jesus to say outright if He was the Christ. Jesus answered,"I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (v. 25-28). As Jesus described those who believe in Him, He said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Mt. 5:14-16). Believers in Christ are supposed to dwell in His light. That light is to shine outward for all to see. That light testifies of our works. Is your light shining? Jesus, in the same passage, described the believers in Him as the salt of the earth. However, Jesus said, salt that has lost its savor, or taste, is no longer good for the purpose it was intended. The same applies to our light. The Apostle Peter described the believers in Christ as those who have been called out of darkness into His marvellous light: a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (1 Pet. 2:9). We are defined by the light of Christ. First John says that we are to walk in the light even as Christ is in the light, and as His blood cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, John continues, then we are liars, and the truth is not in us (1:7-8). If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive them, and cleanse us. This is walking in the light. The temple in Jerualem had to be cleansed and dedicated in the original Hannukah account. We are a living temple, and that cleansing and dedication is necessary for us all as well. Have you cleansed your temple? Have you dedicated yourself? Paul discussed the seasons and times, and how we should all be familiar with them. He said that we aal should know that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. When men are declaring, "Peace, peace", sudden destruction will come upon them. He reminded the Church of the role that the light of Christ plays in our preparedness and understanding, "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober...For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ..." (1 Thess. 5:1-9, excerpt). We are not meant to be sleeping. Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins, and ALL ten had fallen asleep. The only thing that allowed five of them (who were wise) to enter in with the bridegroom, is that they had their lamps well prepared, and more thaan enough oil to keep their light. Paul wrote that the wrath of God would come upon the children of disobedience, and warned, "Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light...And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them...all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light". He added quoting Isaiah, "...Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light" (Eph. 5:6-14). As Jesus told the parable of the wheat and the tares, He explained that the good seed, the wheat, "are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one". At the end of the age, Jesus said, both the wheat and the tares would be gathered, or harvested, by the angels. The tares, the children of the wicked one, those who offend and do iniquity, will be cast into a furnace of fire with much suffering and wailing. However, of the good wheat, the children of the kingdom, Jesus said, "Then the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Mt. 13:36-43). Are we willing to hear the revelation of Jesus, or will we stop up our ears against it? Do not be deceived, heaven is real. Hell is also real, and to be avoided at all costs. The righteous shining like the sun, as Jesus taught, is a promise prophesied in Daniel. Daniel's prophecy is of the time of trouble like as has never been seen before. This time of trouble takes place in "the time of the end". Daniel also spoke of a judgment of the dead: "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Though the times will be very difficult, there will be a difference seen in those who are children of the kingdom. Daniel wrote, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Daniel was told to seal up his book until the time of the end (Dan. 12). We now read and understand these visions and prophecies of Daniel, which is yet another identifier that we are in those end times of which Daniel wrote. Are you shining, as Daniel prophesied of the wise? The lights of the Menorah are lighted to recall the cleansing and dedication of the temple after it had been defiled. The light is to be kept shining. The saints are equipped by apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists to do the work of the ministry. Shining the light of Christ into the darkness is a large part of that work. Is your lamp filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit? Are you shining with His light? *Based upon the 12/13/20 message of Dr. Stevenson to the Church. To contact: PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 or Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com Find Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson on Facebook and twitter also.