Part 3 of 4 – Ps. Enoch examines the past, present and future conflict surrounding the Temple Mount.
This video dives into the story of Hanukkah and examines the parallells between this ancient defiling of the Temple and a possible future fulfilment. Ultimately, the Battle for the Temple Mount is not only about a site – but about the worship of mankind. This message ends with a challenge to a renewed heart of worship of the One True God.
Notes from Video:
Heb. 11:35-38 It was impossible to remain safe in the cities, so faithful Jews fled to the mountains where they lived in caves.
It was a battle for the worship of mankind – and the Devil was seeking to (1) stop the worship of God and (2) replace it with worship of himself.
It was a prophetic preview of the future struggle there will be over the worship of mankind.
The Hanukkah Rebellion
Dan 11:30b … Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery, but those who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.
At this darkest time in history – God raised up a deliverer – He raised up a mighty army!
After 3 years of battle, the Maccabees miraculously had put the strongest army in the world to flight.
They were shocked when they came to the Temple – finding waste high weeds all over the place and the hideous idol in the Temple.
But, with God’s help they rededicate the Temple to the Lord again – restoring the ‘Tabernacle of David’ that had fallen down.
Future Battle of the Temple
The story of Hanukkah was highly traumatic for Israel and much like the holocaust, it left deep scares in Israel and was not far from the surface in New Testament times.
Jewish listeners would have been shocked when Jesus warned of a new period of persecution like Hanukkah
Matt 24:15 – when you see the abomination of desolation (whoever reads let him understand) – it is as if the gospel writer is saying ‘we don’t need to explain this’ – like a modern day reference to Jews going to the gas chambers is obvious to everyone – so this reference to the abomination in the Temple would also be obvious to everyone.
Matt. 24:16,21 then flea to the mountains…. For then there will be great tribulation. Just like in days of Hanukkah – the persecution breaks out when the idol is erected.
Paul further draws the parallel with Hanukkah.
2 Thess 2:3 – that Day (of the Lord’s coming) will not come unless (1) the falling away come first, and the (2) man of sin (lawlessness) is revealed… so that he (3) sits as God in the temple of God
Notice how the falling away, the man of sin and this man sitting in the Temple all are linked to the time of the Lord’s coming – and all are paralleled in the story of Hanukkah.
Each year as the Jewish people celebrate the feast of Hanukkah, they are being warned not to enter into a treaty with a certain person – who might seem so promising, but will turn viciously against them.
The similarities between the future anti-Christ and Antiochus are striking.
We have covered the past, present and future battles of the Temple.
How close are we today to the return of the Days of Hanukkah?
In our day, we are coming full circle!
– Israel looking for alliances and security
– There is a growing intolerance of Biblical values
– Rampant immorality in the western nations and Israel.
– Religious elite promoting unBiblical lifestyles. The wife of Antiochus was called ‘Laodicea’ – represents backslidden church promoting Greek values which subtly oppose the message of the Gospel.
– Abortion – Aristotle taught that Greeks should ‘put out’ any child born with imperfections.
– Body Image / Worship – The gymnasiums were the temples of the Greek world.
– Negative aspects are slowly heating up – and like the frog in the water, we need to jump out before it gets too hot!
– On the positive side
o Israel is being restored
o Work is being done to rebuild the temple.
o The Gospel is continuing to go out to the nations.
– So there is a ripening of both good and evil – getting ready for the ultimate battle.
Summary:
We are living in a world today that is rapidly proceeding along the path of the repeat of the story of Hanukkah.
God is restoring the Tabernacle of David – in preparation for His coming.
But there is a battle looming over the Temple Mount – and ultimately it is a battle for the destiny and worship of mankind.
Enoch Lavender was born in Australia, raised in Norway, spent time living in China and is now based in Melbourne, Australia. He has been studying Hebrew and the Jewish roots of our faith for the past decade, and has a keen interest in the Middle East from a Bible prophecy perspective.
