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 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. Uh, Hanukkah does begin later on in the month. Exactly on what date, Paul? December 18 to 26 this year, Jimmy, just perfect timing and plenty of time for our listeners to prepare to Reach out to a Jewish friend during this season. 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...