|
Shalom,
One of the great themes of Hanukah is separation from this world/age. This does not mean withdrawing into a desert or other wilderness! It means cleaving unto the God of Israel, who is the only true God.
Before Yeshua lived and died in this material dimension of time, holy separation was mainly cultural, including religious ritual. Now we must also be separated spiritually. This is possible only by God's grace shed in the form of Yeshua's sacrificial blood at the stake. Our sins naturally separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) prohibiting the spiritual oneness He so desires with all mankind. To end this spiritual separation first determined in Eden by Adam and Eve, the Holy One came to save us Himself in the person of Yeshua because there
is no other Savior. (Isaiah 43:10-13)
Israel's human shepherds have mostly separated the descendants of Jacob/Israel from their God. Before the captivity they did this by seeking their own benefit instead of the flock's. (Ezekiel 34:2-10) God brought them back to their land under Zerubabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, who led the people into physical separation to await the Messiah's coming. (Ezekiel 34:11-31) Thus, Yeshua came as the Good Shepherd to feed the flock of God spiritually, providing His Body and Blood as food indeed - the means by which all may receive the Holy Spirit of God through faith. (John 6:26-65; 10:1-18)
In Yeshua's day the leaders of the Jewish people actively worked to separate the flock of Israel from their true Shepherd. For this Yeshua condemned them in Matthew chapter 23, especially verse 13. Yeshua believed in the message of Hanukah and observed this festival. (John 10:22) For more on what He taught that day, read my article, The Good Shepherd, What Jesus Taught at Hanukah, at http://www.gnfi.org/html/good_shepherd.html.
And now we enter the last days. The God of Israel desires not just the descendants of Israel to separate themselves unto Him, but persons from all nations. For those who refuse to separate will come judgment, and it may come in a very short time. For more information about God's plan for humanity and
the prophecies of the last days go to http://www.apocalypse2008-2015.com/.
Hag Sameach (Happy Holiday!)
Chris Patton
Webmaster |
