Hanukkah and the Rapture

 Unlike many other Jewish holidays, Hanukkah does not date back to biblical times. Rather, it is instead in the books First and Second Maccabees. The story of Hanukkah is set in the Second Temple era and focuses on what became known as the Maccabean Revolt. This revolt was triggered by the Seleucid Empire under King Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempting to forcibly Hellenize the Jews and saw him forcibly fight against Jewish religious practices. In this period, the Seleucids forcibly took over Jerusalem and desecrated the Second Temple with pagan rituals. Eventually, a group known as the Maccabees formed and began fighting a guerilla war in rural regions. 

This rebel movement, which soon became a full-fledged army, was led by the sons of Mattathias (Matityahu), a kohen from Modi'in. This family, known as the Hasmoneans, was itself led by the third son, Judas Maccabeus, also known as Judah Maccabee, after his father's death.
Despite being outnumbered, Judah was able to lead the Maccabees to victory after victory in the field, until his eventual death in the Battle of Elasa. Ultimately, it would be Simon Thassi that would eventually manage to liberate the land from Seleucid control, creating the Hasmonean Dynasty and creating the first independent Jewish state since the Kingdom of Judah's conquest at the hands of the Babylonians.

But Hanukkah does not just celebrate this incredible military victory. Rather, there is also the miracle of the oil. As the legend goes, upon recapturing Jerusalem, the Maccabees had to rededicate the desecrated Second Temple. Part of this meant lighting the Menorah. However, only one container of usable oil was found, just enough for a single night. It would be over a week before more usable pure oil would be ready. However, miraculously, the oil ended up staying lit for eight days, lasting long enough for more to be ready.

This successful rededication of the Temple is, in fact, the reason for the holiday's name: Hanukkah, which is rooted in the Hebrew word for dedication. The Temple needed to be cleansed and restored. The Talmud tells us that the large golden menorah with 7 lamps was found and returned to its place.

However, the special oil found with it was enough only for one day. The process to make this holy oil was week-long. It involved beating (not pressing) the olives, then allowing them to sit, to naturally drain the oil. Rather than continuing in darkness, the decision was made to follow the commandments with what they had. They followed instructions of Moses, even if for just one day.

And you shall command the sons of Israel that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually. Exodus 27:20

They took the oil and lit all the wicks on the menorah. Yet, day after day the oil lamp flames miraculously remained burning bright. They lasted until the end of the 8th day when the new oil was ready! This is the miracle of Hanukkah. Also called the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication.  

Now the very cool part. We know that the temple, both in the wilderness erected by Moses, and in Jerusalem was modeled to the exact detail after the temple in heaven. That is why God was very very specific in every detail He gave to Moses. Therefore, we know that there is a menorah in heaven that looks exactly like the one the Jews built and placed before the Holy of Holies. 
 
In Revelation 1. the Apostle John has a vision
 
 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash. Revelation 1:10-13

Notice here, he saw 7 golden lampstands (A menorah!). Also note, they are not lit. Note also that Jesus is asking John to write letters to the 7 churches. We find out from Jesus what these 7 lampstands represent in verse 20
 
As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and someone was sitting on the throne. ........Out from the throne *came flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God; V 1-5
 
Many believe that these first verses in Revelation 4 depict the rapture of the church as no where else in Scripture does Jesus call anyone to "Come up here".  Notice John has to shed his flesh for a time and be "in the Spirit" in order to see God. But what I want to point out here is that the seven lamps are now lit and burning with the seven spirits of God. Remember, the Holy Spirit is a fire and appeared as tongues of fire over the first Christians. 
 
So, here in Heaven we see the entire Menorah lit, all seven church ages are complete, all seven churches have been lit by the power of the Holy Spirit and now appear before the throne. This is the end of the church age when all 7 have finally come in!  Remember we are the lights of the world, filled with Holy Spirit fire! Also interesting that at Hanukkah, they were dedicating the temple to cleanse it from all the blasphemous things that Antiochus IV Epiphanies (a type of antichrist) had done, and here in heaven, they have lit the Menorah just as the antichrist will be taking power on earth. It's very interesting to consider that these 7 lamps, both on earth and in heaven represent the church. And a church without oil is a church that has no light, and a church that has no light will not make it in the rapture!  

Another very interesting fact: The plain meaning of the word “Hanukkah” means “dedication” in Hebrew.    Coincidentally, the name “Enoch,” also means “dedicated,” and is derived from the same Hebrew root used for the word Hanukkah.  They even sound similar.  So the Feast of Dedication (or Hanukkah) can be called the Feast of Enoch.  This is exciting since Enoch was translated into heaven solely because of his faith.

 
Did Jesus every mention Hanukkah? yes! 

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed 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 22-28

How interesting that here on the Feast of Dedication, Jesus is being tested by the Jewish authorities and asked whether He was the Messiah. Even more interesting that Jesus replied by talking about His sheep and how only His Sheep hear His voice and He gives them eternal life!  Hmm.

One more connection:  The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins found in Matthew 25. You all know the story, but please look it up if you don't. All Ten virgins had their lamps lit and oil in their lamps and went out looking for the Bridegroom. But the Bridegroom (Jesus) tarried and didn't arrive when they hoped so they got tired and fell asleep. Finally at midnight there was a shout "The Bridegroom comes!" Only five of the virgins had brought extra olive oil for their lamps so they quickly rose and trimmed their lamps to bring forth light. The oil throughout Scripture symbolizes the Holy Spirit, so these five virgins were filled with the Spirit and went into the marriage feast, but the five virgins who had run out of oil had to go and get some and arrived too late. 

There's so much in this parable, but for now, I find it very interesting that the olive oil and the lamps were a crucial part of this story of the rapture. Also, the harvest of olives is now.. during the late fall. 

There's quite a few connections we can make with Hanukkah and the rapture of the church as you can see. Whether or not we leave this month, I thought all of this was fascinating and it gives me hope. I pray it does the same for you!