Re: Rapture Is On the Way Nov 27, 2010 - 3:47PM

To Robert Rose on how celestial calendar might move Hanukkah

my correction for Hanukkah would be Dec. 29th until Jan. 6th, 2011

This is a unique and one time event, which has never occurred before in Church history

The Feast of Epiphany Equals the Rapture of the Church

In Strong's concordance in the Hebrew dictionary section under number 2010 is the word Hanachah

Dear Doves,

When we look to the central elements of the Jewish revolt against Antiochus Epiphanies IV of Syria and his followers, we see more than the victory of Judaism against paganism. At its core, some stories are disquieting and troubling. One group decides that the House of Israel must go Greek or die. The Maccabee family and others protest and will remain practicing Jews. Then begins an epic story with mayhem and murder. Later for the Maccabee family would be power, corruption, and civil war. The traditions of lights, dreidels, and presents are lovely stories to counterpoint with beauty. The following website has a long article to help see the Hanukkah stories from new vantage points. It is http://www.seekgod.ca/hr/hrfaqs4a2.htm and of special interest is the analysis of John 10. Messiah/Christ was in Jerusalem in winter during The Feast of Dedication, which was Hanukkah. We are not told He was a participant. He was found walking on Solomon's Porch.Solomon's Porch or Colonnade was open air and part of The Court of the Gentiles. This was the largest court in size of any on the Temple Mount. Other areas were the Court of the Women, the Court of the Priests, and the Holy of Holies. What are some other names of Gentiles in The Scriptures? They are called pagans or the Nations. Who were the Greeks in the times of the Hanukkah stories? They were pagans and Gentiles.So the kosher rabbi from the Galilee is walking in a teaching area of the Temple for Jews and Gentiles alike. Is He avoiding those who are not the Chosen people, those set apart? No, He is in their area, their space. The others must come to Him in the area for Gentiles. He calls Himself The Light of the World in an area for Gentiles, and for the Chosen People. All those lights were glowing during Hanukkah in Jerusalem here and there and all over. Yet, He wants the Temple authorities questioning Him to look to Him as their True Light. Some had anger, malice, and evil intent toward this man. Some wanted mayhem and murder for this rabbi. They wanted this man discussing light to be stoned to death. In their midst was a true light of eternal consequence, greater than all the lovely glowing lights on so many Hanukkahs!Does He want to speak to the sheep only of The House of Israel? He wants the entire flock. Here again the sheep will also be found from the Nations, the pagans, the Gentiles. A good case can be made that John 10 is a clear refutation, point and counterpoint, to

exclusive spiritual claims by any one group. Messiah/Christ, in the Court of the Gentiles, offers His Light and Salvation to each and all, to Jew and Gentile alike during that special Hanukkah Season and thereafter. In essence, His actions and words are for and against certain of the lessons and themes of the Hanukkah stories. It is a blending of pro and con.Part of Hanukkah, one can argue the best of it, led to Him. What had been fought for and restored long before? Temple, altar, implements, high priest, priesthood, and sacrifices had been restored. A great miracle happened then. It was also necessary that the Torah commanded ways of living had been restored and revived. Messiah/Christ had to be born and raised into Torah observant family, culture, spirituality, religion, and nation. But John 10 shows us that He wanted no part in extolling the Hanukkah history of cross cultural bitterness, anger, hatred, mayhem and murder. He did not believe in lineage as imparting salvation. Long before, covenants had also been revived. These would have included the covenants with Abram and David. Let us remember that the Abrahamic Covenant included that Abram would become Abraham, the Father of many Nations. In this we see the clear outreach beyond the 12 tribe’s individuals to include also the pagans, the Gentiles. Yes, The Master stood and walked in the Court of the Gentiles as The Light of the World for all people, for all His sheep. Access to The Light of Him was not exclusive by lineage or restricted to those walking in the Court of the Priests.Hanukkah each year, in mysterious ways, hearkens to the Abrahamic Covenant. From Hanukkah in 2010 to Hanukkah in 2017 we can see in each year a highlighting and reviving of the Abrahamic Covenant. We can see the focus of it all, the greatest of spiritual lights, the Light of the World for Jew and Gentile alike. The Light on Solomon's Porch is forever our Light. The bracketing of Hanukkah 2010 to Hanukkah 2017 may be indeed significant. Come Quickly, Lord...

With Love and Shalom, Jean Stepnoski

Hanukkah in the Scriptures

The Hebrew word of Hanukkah or Chanukah is used in the Old Testament eight times. It means 'dedication.' and is found in Numbers 7:10, 11, 84, 88; 2 Chronicles 7:9; Nehemiah 12:27 and Psalms 30:1. The secondary language found in the Old Testament, Aramaic, uses Hanukkah precisely four times, in Daniel 3:2,3 and Ezra 6:16 & 17 and spells it Chanukah. Invariably, the word Hanukkah refers to the dedication of the altar in front of the Tent of Meeting, the Temple built by Solomon, or the wall of Jerusalem. The two times in Daniel 3 it is not used for those purposes, but rather is found used in

reference to the dedication and worship of the image of Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. Those that refused to worship it were to be thrown into a fire.

Daniel 3:3.... were gathered together unto the dedication <Chanukah' (Aramaic)> of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up..."6

The one Scriptural reference to dedication in the New Testament is found in John 10:22. Many Messianics are using this passage to say that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah and therefore that means we should. 

It is necessary to view the passage of John 10 as a whole first, and read the whole chapter because the verse in reference to the feast of dedication, does not in fact say that Jesus was celebrating it. It was a statement of what time of year it was.

John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication <egkainia>, and it was winter.

G1456 >dedication <egkainia> 1456. εγκαι νια  egkainiaThayer Definition:1) dedication, consecration1a) in particular the annual feast celebrated eight days beginning in the 25th of Chislev (middle of our December), instituted by Judas Maccabaeus [164 BC] in memory of the cleansing of the temple from the pollution of Antiochus Epiphanies"  7 Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries > 1456...Neuter plural of a presumed compound from G1722 and G2537; innovatives, that is, (specifically) renewal (of religious services after the Antiochian interruption): - dedication.

Prior to verse 10:22, we see that the context began while Jesus was teaching in the Temple from chapter 8:

John 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

John 8:52-54 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54. Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. [KJV]

Jesus healed the blind man just after leaving the scene at the Temple, John 9:1, and said:

John 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way

therefore, and washed, and came seeing. 8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

John 9:14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

Joh 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. [KJV]

Summary --the Jews cast out the blind man cured by Jesus. Jesus finds him and reveals who He is and the healed man believes and worships Him.

--the Pharisees there witness this and are told they are blind

10:1-5--the sheepfold parable-the Pharisees did not understand

10:6-16--about the sheepfold, Christ the door of the sheep, Christ the good Shepherd, the hirelings, laying down His life for the sheep,

Jesus had been healing and teaching prior to healing the blind man, and the Pharisees were disputing him, some claiming He had a devil. Starting at verse 10:17, it says the following:

John 10:17  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.18  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.19  There was a division therefore again among the Jews

for these sayings. 20  And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?21  Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 22  And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.23  And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.24  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. 25  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.26  But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.30  I and my Father are one.31  Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.32  Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?33  The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.  [KJV]

Many of the Jewish and Gentile people gathered in Solomon's porch because it was winter and it was cold. Solomon's porch bordered the outer court and was where the Gentiles congregated, because they were not allowed into the inner court with the Jews. Jews could interact with the Gentiles on the porch, which was located on the east side of the outer court of Herod's Temple, i.e. the Second Temple. There was a sign posted at the inner court warning all non-Jews that to enter would be punishable by death. The actual quote inscribed on the sign tablet[s], read:

"No foreigner may enter within the railing and enclosure that surround the Temple. Anyone apprehended shall have himself to blame for his consequent death!” 8

Alfred Edersheim suggests in his writing, The Temple-It's Ministry and Service in the time of Jesus Christ, written during his seven volume work from 1876-87, "...These halls or porches around the Court of the Gentiles must have been most convenient places for friendly or religious intercourse- meetings or discussions." 9

Jesus went to where the people were and spoke the truth of who He was. He was not received by most of the Jews present, especially the Pharisees, which many Messianics claim Jesus was celebrating with. They, in fact, wanted to stone Him. There is nothing that says Jesus entered into any celebration. From what is stated in this chapter, the preceding and following chapters and verses, Jesus was there to share the things of God and who He was/is. He was about His Father's business. And when they tried to seize Him, He left Jerusalem.

Unlike the Maccabees, whose original mission was to protect and include the Jews and their beliefs while excluding Gentiles and their beliefs, Jesus came to include all mankind who

believed in Him, so they could be part of the kingdom of God which He was building. Jesus was teaching that He was the Good Shepherd and that not only were there going to be 'other sheep', meaning the Gentiles, brought into the sheepfold with the Jews but, all must enter the sheepfold through Him. The resulting flock of sheep would be comprised of believing Jews and Gentiles, which was prophetic and part of the Abrahamic covenant from Genesis 

These teachings are contrary to the Hanukkah festivities and focus, which was/is to separate fully from anything or anyone non-Jewish, and celebrate the Maccabees, with the focus of some on that 'messiah.'

In sharp contrast to the Maccabean mission of physical liberty through war, self focus and revolt to the governing authorities, disassociation and for some, resentment or hatred for those outside of Judaism, Jesus instead taught of loving enemies and forgiving and bringing those viewed as unclean into the fold through the only door that would make all spiritually clean. Himself. He taught and fulfilled, for example, the Isaiah prophecy of making God's house a house of prayer for all people. He taught that all mankind, not just the pagan Gentiles, needed His cleansing.

Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.  [KJV]

Jesus often made a distinction between 'the religion of the Pharisees' and what He and the Scriptures said. That is why many could not receive Him. They went by man made religion and thought over the Truth in the Scriptures. The Scriptures were there for them. Jesus said so.

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. [KJV]

Regarding Hanukkah, there is no doubt that if the legend of the oil was true in that God kept the oil burning for 8 days, He is more than able. However, Hanukkah is not about God, but rather about the Maccabees and the Jewish people within the religion of Judaism. God was very specific about how the Menorah was to be made, with 7 candlesticks. There was no divine directive to change that or celebrate with anything different, or in fact, change the law of Moses. God forbids the changing of His commandments and the adding to them, and yet we have Messianics following rabbinic traditions that do just that. That Judaism elevates their traditions and writings of the sages (found within the Talmud and kabbalah) above the Scriptures is what makes Judaism what is today. It is totally separate from what Christians or those who believe Jesus are to be about.  And that is the issue. The things of Christ are not about days and such, nor is our focus or glorying to be on man, but God alone:

Colossians 2:16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:17  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;  [KJV]

For Christians , we need to apply the verses:

1 Thessalonians 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.   [KJV]

It's all about 30 EXTRA days! PRAISE GOD!!! WOW

Daniel 12:11

"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days."

According to the day count in Daniel, the "last half of the tribulation" is said to be 1290 days. We know the entire tribulation will be a period of "one week" or 7 years, which is 2520 days.

Basically, it will be a two periods of 1260 days. The day count in Daniel however mentions an extra 30 in the second half...

"from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up (beginning of second set of 1260) days, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days" (30 days more than 1260)

So, according to this day count, the tribulation period is 2550 days, not 2520. Daniel 9:27 clearly predicts a period of "one week" which is 2520 days. So, why is the day count of "1290 days" mentioned, but actually only be two periods of 1260 days only?

Jesus said,

Matthew 24:22

"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

This is talking about the last half of the tribulation period, from the time the abomination of desolation occurs to the end. If you look at the "day count" that Daniel gives, we see the length of the "great tribulation"...

Jesus explicitly tells us the length of "those days", beginning with the abomination of desolation to the ending will be shortened. This has been something has contemplated about for some time.

I believe God has confirmed to me the specifics of what Jesus meant by the "shortening of the days" of the last part of the 7 years. I believe the LORD will shorten the length of the "Great Tribulation" which according to Daniel is 1290 days:

"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days."

I believe God will shorten those days by "30" days!!!

The reason is because we know the tribulation is exactly 2520 days. So, for the day count of Daniel to fit the "one week" of tribulation, the extra 30 days added to the last 1260, which would be 1290 has to be shortened to 1260!!!!

1260 + 1290 = 2550 (Not "one week")

1260 + 1260 = 2520 ("one week")

so, the 1290 days of the "last half of the tribulation" mentioned in Daniel 12:11 is shortened by 30 days making it 1260!

So, why mention the extra 30 days?

Numbers 9:5-11 (King James Version)

"And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel."

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the Passover unto the LORD."

"The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs."

This command in confirmed in the account of Hezekiah in 2nd Chronicles 30:1-3

"And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover unto the LORD God of Israel."

"For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the Passover in the second month."

"For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem."

The Passover was delayed a month because a "consecration" had to take place. Now, lets read in Ezekiel 39:12:

"And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land."

So, when Christ returns, they will clean the land for 7 months. Surely this is not done during the tribulation period! So, the 7 months begin AFTER Christ returns on September 30th, 2017 (Yom Kippur)...

If you add 7 months, you come to April 29th, 2018, ONE MONTH AFTER THE ORIGINAL PASSOVER!!!!

The 7 months of cleansing the land also INCLUDES THE EXTRA MONTH THEY

WILL WAIT AFTER the original Passover because of the law! The king cannot be crowned with the people and the land being defiled!

So, the extra month that is needed to wait describes in Numbers 9:5-11 will begin on the calendar date of Passover which is March 29th, 2018, and will end on April 29th, 2018...

Which just happens to be the ENDING OF THE 7 month period of the cleansing of the land mentioned in Ezekiel 39:12, which begins on September 30th, 2017 at the return of Christ...?

Then ends on April 29th, 2018!!!

That is when Jesus is truly crowned (after the consecration of the land and people take place for one month)...

So, that is when you start to count back the 7 months, not March 29th, 2018!!!!! So, the extra 30 day law of cleansing of the PEOPLE that is required of God in Numbers 9 ends on the SAME DAY the 7 month period of cleansing of the LAND mentioned in Ezekiel 39:12!!!

That is why the rapture did not occur on November 6th because an extra month of cleansing takes place because the law states that must happen if the people or land is defiled. The interesting thing is that is extra month count begins at the beginning of the 7th and last cleansing of Ezekiel!!!

Praise God!!!

So...subtract 7 months from April 29th, 2018 lands on the true date:

December 6th, 2010 (NEW MOON)!!!

This day lands in the "midst" of Hanukkah, so the 4th candle is lit on this day!!!!!

Why is this significant?

Revelation 1:12-13

"And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks"

"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle."

So, what’s the scene?

We see the son of man (Jesus) standing in the "MIDST" of the 7 candlesticks, which

represent the 7 churches in heaven!!

So, the 7 churches are in heaven before God with Jesus standing in the midst (prophetic of the menorah) on Hanukkah! The 7 churches will appear before God in heaven during the feast of Hanukkah!

The 7 years and 6 month count back from the 1 month delayed crowning ceremony of Christ for the concentration of the people ending the 7 months cleansing of the lands begins on April 29th, 2018....WHICH WOULD BE THE "SECOND PASSOVER" where Christ is crowned!

The count thus begins on December 6th, 2010 (NEW MOON) and it lands on Tuesday (Day of ancient Jewish weddings)!!!!!

It lands right in the midst of HANUKKAH, when the Olive harvest ends!!

Praise God!!

Not November 6th, but December 6th during the Feast of Dedication!!!