Hi everybody, this is Jimmy DeYoung
Jr. with Prophecy Today. In this month of December we
will continue to look at Christmas and Hanukkah as well. Our friend
Paul Scharf comes today to tell us more details about why Hanukkah
should be important to Christians. It's time now for Prophecy Today,
a look at current events in light of biblical prophecy. Now with
the latest news update, here's Jimmy DeYoung. Is Hanukkah important
for Christians? It absolutely is, Jimmy, because
Hanukkah happened in the 160s. The events behind the celebration
of Hanukkah, we should clarify, happened in the 160s before Christ. And that's in this intertestamental
period, and it's such a pivotal, important time. It's a watershed
moment in the history of the Jewish people. It will absolutely
set in motion things that will last well into the times of the
New Testament, into the life of Christ. You know, there wouldn't
be a Christmas without a Hanukkah, and that's so important. And
yet, Jimmy, sometimes people say, well, boy, should we really
be bringing Hanukkah into the Church? Should we really, as
Christians, be thinking about Hanukkah? And I say, well, there's
Hanukkah in the Old Testament, there's Hanukkah in the New Testament,
there's Hanukkah in the prophetic future. So maybe we should be
talking about Hanukkah. Paul, is Hanukkah found in the
Bible, and where is it? Well, Jimmy, of course, as we're
saying, Hanukkah, the events behind Hanukkah happen in the
intertestamental period, in those silent years. But here's the
amazing thing. They're prophesied to occur in
the book of Daniel, chapter 8, verses 9 through 14. And the
inspired interpretation of Daniel's vision later in that chapter,
verses 23 through 26, Also, Daniel 11, 21-35, these deal with a
leader named Antiochus IV, Antiochus Epiphanes, who is a type of the
future Antichrist. And Daniel's revelation, his
prophetic predictions about this man and what would happen, the
events that are the basis for the celebration of Hanukkah,
are so precise that, of course, critical scholars say Daniel
could not have written it ahead of time as predictive prophecy.
It had to be a late forgery written after the fact, because it's
so accurate, it's so complete in its detail of these events
that would lead up to the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. Wow,
good stuff, Paul. And we're going to continue on.
Hanukkah does begin later on in the month. Exactly on what
date, Paul? December 26th this year, Jimmy. Just perfect timing.
and plenty of time for our listeners to prepare. Reach out to a Jewish
friend during this season. Paul Scharf with the Friends
of Israel Ministry. You know, the prophecies of Daniel
took place almost 400 years before Antiochus Epiphanes went into
the temple and desecrated it. These prophecies being fulfilled
give us confidence that future prophecies will take place exactly
as they are foretold. As Christians, we can celebrate
the Festival of Lights as we rededicate our lives to Christ
and acknowledge Him as the perfect and true light of this world.
As believers, when we celebrate Hanukkah, it reminds us of God's
wonderful miracles on our behalf. It reminds us of God's protection
throughout our lives. It reminds us to remain true
to God even when the world around us tries to force us into assimilation. Jesus told us that whosoever
follows Him will not have darkness, but the light of life. What a
wonderful time of the year to remember and commemorate the
great miracles that God has done for us by giving us new light
and new life. Remember if you want more of
the latest news out of the Middle East, go to our website at prophecytoday.com. There you will also find information
for a better understanding of biblical prophecy as it relates
to our world today. Our toll-free phone number is
8-Prophecy-8. This is Jay Johnson inviting
you to join us every Monday through Friday for Prophecy Today. Remember, the Lord Jesus is coming
and it could be today, so let's keep looking up until...
