The word Hanukkah חנוכה means dedication and it commemorates the dedication of the Temple after the wicked Greek leader Antiochus Epiphanes had desecrated it. The traditional emphasis on the oil, which lasted for eight days instead of one day, usually captures the attention of those who observe this celebration. Therefore, this festival is also known by many as the Festival of Lights. Light plays a major role in the Bible, as one reads that God Himself is light and that in Him there is no darkness, there is none (1 John 1:5). Yeshua said concerning Himself that, whenever I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:5). In chapter 9 of Isaiah’s prophecy, the prophet is very specific about a location near the Sea of Galilee. This location was between the land that was promised to the tribes of Zebulun and Naftali, near the sea. In the days of Isaiah, this location did not have a name, but as the time for the Messiah to begin His work approached, the place was called Kfar Nachum or Capernaum; meaning the village of comfort. Immediately after informing the reader of this place, Isaiah continues with the words, “the people, the ones who walk in darkness, they saw a great light, the ones who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, light has shone upon them [Isaiah 9:2 (verse 1 in Hebrew)].

A few verses later appears one of the most known Messianic prophecies in the Bible, “For a boy was born for us, a son was given for us, and will be the government upon His shoulder and His Name will (be) called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God and Eternal Father, Prince of Peace [Isaiah 9:5 (verse 6 in Hebrew)].

In John chapter 10, the reader learns a few very important truths. It is in verse 22 that Hanukkah is mentioned in the Bible and Yeshua goes up to Jerusalem in order to observe this celebration. This fact should cause those who believe in Him and follow Him as Lord to give greater significance to Hanukkkah. In other words, since Yeshua thought Hanukkah had enough spiritual significance to go up to Jerusalem for it, how much more should His servants understand this festival and observe it themselves.

One of the difficulties for many believers is that not much is known by them concerning this festival. Therefore, in the rest of this article we will concentrate on the meaning of Hanukkah. The first thing which one must know concerning Hanukkah is that it was only possible because of a military victory. In fact, the miracle of the oil lasting eight days was to inform the Jewish people that it was God. Who caused the much fewer Jewish people to defeat the more numerous Greek empire. This reminds the people of God that our Lord is a man of war (Exodus 15:3). Those who believe that Pacifism is pleasing to God, and what the Bible teaches, are simply misformed and certainly do not find such a perspective in the Scriptures. In fact, the God of the Holy Scripture has a long history of delivering His covenant people from their enemies.

Due to the miraculous victory, it is also taught that Hanukkah is an appropriate time for the Messiah to reveal Himself to the world. This is exactly what the Gospel of John emphasizes. In John 10:24, the leaders of the Jewish people surround Yeshua and say to Him, “until when do you keep our souls in suspense” (literally: do you lift up our souls)? They came to Yeshua to ask a very specific question, “If you are the Messiah, say to us plainly.” In actuality, they were not wanting a verbal response, but for Him to do what according to tradition the Messiah will do on Hanukkah; namely, enter into the Holy of Holies.

For a long time, Judaism has understood a relationship between Moses, the first redeemer and the Messiah, the final redeemer. Of course this relationship is based upon the verse which states,

“A prophet from your midst, from your brothers, like me the Lord your God will raise up for you, unto Him hear! Deuteronomy 18:15

Moses entered into the Holy of Holies to dedicate the tabernacle for a new form of worship, based upon the Torah. It will be after the Messiah’s Second Coming that He too will provide a miraculous victory for His people. This victory will also bring about a new form of worship, i.e., Kingdom worship.

In the book of Numbers chapter 7, Moses enters into the Holy of Holies to dedicate the tabernacle for worship according to the Law of Moses. It was during this time that Moses heard the voice of God speaking to him from upon the Ark of the Covenant, between the two Cherubim. It was upon the covering of the ark, הכפורת that the Presence of God spoke to him. It is from this one learns that Yeshua will rule during the Millennial Kingdom from this same location. It is most significant that it is from this section of Numbers chapter 7 which is read in the synagogue during the Festival of Hanukkah.

When examining the prophecy of Ezekiel, one learns in the section dealing with the Millennial Temple that the Glory of God will return to the Temple. Ezekiel heard the Lord speaking to him and revealing to him that this is the place where the throne of God will be and where the soles of His feet will walk and where He will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. It is important for all to understand that the word translated “forever” is the Hebrew word לעולם. I would argue that this word represents an adjective which best describes the Kingdom of God. Hence, it should not be understood as forever, but it is simply teaching the reader that this is the place where the Messiah will dwell and establish His throne during the Millennial Kingdom.

The important thing for believers to understand about Hanukkah is that Hanukkah is related to the Kingdom of God. We are not speaking of the New Jerusalem, but rather the Millennial Kingdom. This Millennial Kingdom will indeed have an active Temple and the people of God will worship there, whereas the New Jerusalem will not have a Temple (See Revelation 21:22). The Millennial Kingdom will be ordered according to the Law of Moses. This again is problematic for much of the Church, as so many translations of the Bible understand that the Law has been abolished by the Messiah. It is difficult to understand why this view is so dominant in Christianity, as Yeshua said,

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law…” Matthew 5:17

So why do so many translations of the Bible, when speaking about the Torah, state that it has been abolished? The word which appears is the Greek verb καταργέω. If one researches this word, he will find that the most common definitions which are provided are “abolished”, “bring to an end”, “did away with”, “nullified”, “removed”, and “rendered powerless”. However, when one looks outside the New Testament renderings for this word, he will find that it is used to describe a King in exile. Although he has been removed from his position, there is a strong expectation that he will return from exile to once again assume his position. While in exile, he is not serving as king, but there is still much significance attached to him because he was the king and due to the strong likelihood he will once again return to be the king.

The Torah has not been done away with, as it is still the Word of God and will return to become the Law of the Millennial Kingdom. Yeshua will rule for a thousand years utilizing the Torah. Therefore, Hanukkah does indeed teach believers much about the future. When will the Torah truly be abolished? Yeshua states, 

“For truly I say to you, until the heaven should pass away and the earth, one iota or one stroke of a letter should not pass away from the Law, until everything should take place.

Please notice the three phrases which I placed in boldface. It is most difficult to reflect the actual tense of these verbs. They are actually in the past tense. The Greek tense is not always related to time, as sometimes the past tense reflects an action which should be thought of as complete, whole, or in its entirety. Hence, what is being taught is that heaven must pass away completely or not one part of a letter will pass away until all which God has promised has been fulfilled completely or in its entirety. Therefore, until there is a new heaven and a new earth, i.e., the New Jerusalem, the Torah and all Scriptures will not be done away with.

Hanukkah S’meach to each of you!