HAPPY HANUKKAH By Apostle Jacquelyn Fedor In the year 163 BC, God's people were very much assimilated into the world, which was governed at that time by the Hellenist Greeks. Those that ruled over Jerusalem confiscated the temple and did everything they could to destroy the pure worship of God's priests. There were actually very few of God's people left that remained faithful at that time. It was a very, very small remnant. It is no different today. God's people happily interact with the world on a daily basis. Way beyond what is necessary to simply sustain themselves, or minister to the world, yet if asked if they are of the world, they would deny it. Leaders as well as the people they shepherd are immersed in the society around them. As an example, God's people seek the world's advice on fashion wanting to be dressed appropriately, they therefore look exactly like the world. They buy the latest phone whether they need a new one or not to impress whoever just the same as the world, and go into debt up to their ears to drive the most popular car, etc. Advice is sought from the world's systems on how to handle money, what are good investments, prayers are even sent up by the church to turn the economy around. Children are sent to the best schools parents can afford and good grades of course expected. Many make 1
time to go to the voters booth to vote for the official they consider the best to govern. The world with its pagan rituals has again very much confiscated the church. Its altars are polluted with Christmas trees on them. From the pulpit the flock finds sanction on Halloween, easter bunnies, many times it's actually the church sponsoring the egg hunts! You don't think we are assimilated into the world! What about God's people attending Christmas office parties, especially where drinking is a part of the celebration? Even God's feasts are tainted with drunkenness in some cases, yet God's people pride themselves in being separate. Let's face it, they are no different than the world. God has always frowned on getting drunk, so how did it find its way into the temple, into the traditional church or into the workplace? Assimilation, that's how! The world's music is listened to, its arts enjoyed and displayed at home, in fact, God's people cannot even think of how to entertain themselves without seeking the world's playthings and her playgrounds. They frequent her movies, watch her videos, go to her amusement parks and bars. Even Las Vegas hosts many folks that claim they are of the body of Christ yet they come for the nightlife. Are you beginning to understand the magnitude of Satan's victory over God's people? T.V.'s and computer games are often daily companions without giving a thought of how their minds are totally opened up to the world's thinking. 2
You see the people of God as a whole are still thinking on the same wavelength as the world's people. End time knowledge from the mind of Christ has been released however, that if accepted, will begin to change people, restore them line by line, precept upon precept to the image of the Creator. As Satan is the prince of this world and the mastermind behind its thinking, would God want any part of it? So as people are restored mentally by God's knowledge they will pull further and further from the things God hates and a true separation begins. This is one of the major ways truth sets people free. They begin to understand they are being held captive by the world and the enemy that runs it and all is lacking. You see we must lose hope in the world around us to be able to have hope. Lose hope in man's systems, lose hope in the world's people, lose hope in all that is not of God to begin to hope in God. Romans eight explains it in verse twenty. Romans 8:20 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; As we begin to lose hope in the society around us as humanity, we will begin to cry out to the only real hope we have, our God. When this happens we will be in much the same condition as the Maccabees in 163 BC, only on a larger 3
scale, worldwide. Again, humanity will be in a perfect position for a miracle, and in need of God's intervention. As enough of God's people separate themselves from the world through losing hope in its ability to bring happiness, prosperity, health, a better life in any form, then we can trust in the fact God is not a respecter of persons. What He did for Mattathias Maccabee and his sons, He will do for those who are fed up with the world today. All of creation is eagerly waiting for man to get to this turning point. Returning to Romans eight, let us continue reading verse twenty one. Romans 8:21 22 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Creation is so ready to birth a new earth. All that must happen for this to take place is for the corrupted to be made incorruptible so what it reproduces is perfect. Things will return to the original perfect state as in the beginning. Only God can bring this into being. When He intervenes this time, man that is separated from the world's thinking will be completely restored from the decay and death they brought 4
on themselves through putting hope in the wisdom and counsel of God's adversary. In fact understand, that by trusting in the world's systems we are still trusting in the adversary, so our cries for help will certainly not be answered. Again, we have to lose hope in what is around us to gain hope in God. He promises a new heaven, one Satan cannot access to accuse man of their sins, thereby creating a case against them to bring harm. A New earth is promised as well with no sickness, sorrow or pain. There will be abundant life, filled with happiness joy and peace, with nothing lacking. Total liberty from all the enemy has brought against us is guaranteed by God's covenants for those that are separated to Him. Brings a much clearer meaning to II Corinthians 6:17 18, doesn't it? II Corinthians 6:17 18 17 Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. 18 I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. So as Hanukkah rolls around this year, let all those that have been cheated or abused physically, spiritually, mentally or emotionally by the world celebrate with this thought in mind. In our weakness we can unite with other hopeless 5
people across the earth and cry out to God in praise and prayer to set us free of the world and its prince to perhaps culminate into the greatest miracle ever. God's intervention! Happy Hanukkah! For further information pertaining to Hanukkah, please read: What is the Feast of Hanukkah? Ho Ho Ho, No No No! Hanukkah and the Children of Oil: Part 1 Hanukkah and the Children of Oil: Part 2 Visit our website http://www.trumpetsoftruth.com 6