TEXT: 2 Corinthians 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the LIGHT to shine OUT OF DARKNESS, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of DARKNESS into his marvelous LIGHT: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

As we write this we are days into the Jewish feast of Hanukkah (This year's celebration began sundown December 16, 2006 and will last through December 23, 2006), an eight-day time of celebration commemorating one of Israel's greatest victories over one of her most dangerous, wicked and vilest enemies found in the annals of her history - Antiochus IV Epiphanies.  Hanukkah, which is celebrated from the 25th day of the month of Kislev to the second day of Adar, usually occurs near or at the same time as the annual Christian celebration of Christmas.  It's story commemorates and underscores the valiancy of one of Israel's sons - Judas Maccabbee, part of a family known as the Maccabees, members of the Hasmonean family of Jewish leaders and rulers, made up of the sons of Matthias and their descendants, which reigned in Judea from 167 to 37 B. C. and one of Israel's few godly seeds during this time. Meaning, "sons of the hammer," the term "Maccabbee" especially applied to not just Judas but also his brothers, who were instrumental along with him in defeating the Syrians under this wicked Seleucid ruler whose reign lasted nearly 10 years from 174 B.C. to 165 B.C. when it ended because of the exploits of these brave souls who rededicated and cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem from his defilement. Daniel spoke of this event prophetically in the 11th chapter of the book bearing his name:

Daniel 11:31-34 - And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.
32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.
34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue.

As all the subjects of his empire would attest to the swords, flames, captivity and plundering of this wicked Syrian king, the story of Antiochus' vile edicts against the Jewish people are also told in the Old Testament apocryphal book of 1 Maccabees: "The king then issued a decree throughout his empire: his subjects were all to become one people and abandon their own laws and religion. The nations everywhere complied with the royal command, and many in Israel accepted the foreign worship, sacrificing to idols and profaning the Sabbath" <1 Macc. 1:41-43>, (NEB). Let the reader never forget this one fact. When wicked men rise up against God's people the Lord always raises up those who KNOW THEIR God and those who shall be STRONG and carry out great exploits! We're living in such times for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ!
 
In seeking to unify his empire, of which Israel had become engulfed in through conquest and tyranny, Antiochus attacked the Jews religious practices, prohibited the observance of the Sabbath and the traditional Jewish festivals and feast days and outlawed the reading of the law of Moses. In addition, he gave orders that all copies of the Torah should be burned, Temple sacrifices were forbidden, circumcision outlawed, and other characteristic Jewish practices were declared illegal upon penalty of death. Antiochus' ultimate affront to the Jews occurred on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, in 167 B. C. when he desecrated the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem by "rededicating" it to the pagan Greek god Zeus, of whom he set up a statue in the Holy of Holies, and sacrificed a swine upon the altar. There could have been no greater blasphemy to religious Israel and to God Almighty than to take the blood of an animal declared "unclean" under the Law of Moses and sprinkle it on the place where Israel sacrificed to the God of heaven. These outrages brought on the revolt of the Maccabees. Some Bible scholars believe the coming Antichrist, who is called "the Assyrian," incidentally, may do the same thing as an act to mimic Antiochus' blasphemies against the God of heaven.

The city of Modein, about 17 miles northwest of Jerusalem where the father-priest head of the Maccabees named Matthias lived would become the lightning rod of hope for Israel's deliverance and the center of resistance against the tyrannical policies of Antiochus. Matthias was assisted in his resistance by his five sons: "John called Gaddis, Simon called "Thassis," Judas called Maccabeus, Eleazar called "Avaran," and Jonathan called Apphus" <1 Macc. 2:3-5>, (NEB). The title Maccabeus was first given to Judas, the third son of Matthias, but it was soon transferred to the entire family. Some scholars believe the term is derived from the Hebrew word "makkebeth," or from the related Aramaic word "makkaba," meaning "hammer," probably in allusion to the crushing blows inflicted by Judas and his successors upon their enemies. Thus, Judas may have been called "the Hammer" or "the Hammerer," or, as some scholars prefer, "Extinguisher" or "Quencher" (of the enemy).
 
The entire conflict came to a violent head in 165 B.C. when Antiochus sent commissioners throughout the entire country of Judea to enforce his decrees and flaunt the arrogance of his desires to rid the known world of all vestiges of Judaism and to destroy Israel. When these commissioners came to Modein they were met with great anger by Matthias, who because of his fervent zeal for the Law of Moses and faith in the true God of heaven, killed one of the king's offices when he tried to enforce pagan sacrifice in the Temple there. The resulting consequences of the killing caused Matthias and his five sons to flee from Modein, and take  refuge in the rugged hills nearby wherein their enjoined a crusade of guerrilla warfare against Syria that eventually toppled the King's throne and ended Antiochus' life.

Joined by a growing number of sympathizers who detested the "abomination of desolation" set up on the altar by Antiochus, the Maccabees carried on guerilla warfare against the Syrians and the Jewish collaborators. By the early winter, around December 164 B. C., Judas Maccabeus recaptured most of Jerusalem and forced the loyal priests, those who had not collaborated with Antiochus, to cleanse the Holy Place and erect a new altar. On the 25th of Kislev 164 B. C., precisely three years after Antiochus had defiled it, Judas rededicated the Temple. This was a prophetic portrait of the coming Antichrist who will, for 3 1/2 years defile the Temple in Jerusalem more than likely in a similar way Antiochus did, before the Antichrist will be destroyed, not by Judas Maccabeus, but by the brightness and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise God. The Temple Cleanser who stood on Solomon's porch on the Feast of Hanukkah 2,000 years ago and was asked "can a devil open the eyes of the blind," as the religious spewed their unbelief and venom, will one day return to Israel and remove the devil from Israel's midst.
 
John 10:21-23
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.
(KJV)

The Jewish race as a whole thinks Christ is Satan and sadly millions will accept Satan as Christ during the Great Tribulation period. However, and Praise God as I write this, the blindness of Israel will be healed and cleansed when the Son of God comes back to Earth to cleanse the Temple for good and set up His Earthly Kingdom for 1,000 years. He IS the LIGHT of the World and those who walk in faith believing and trusting in HIM will never walk in darkness! being destroyed by the Lord Jesus Christ, who will cleanse the Temple and set up His Earthly Kingdom for 1,000 years.
 
Even though Hanukkah, which means "dedication," and called "the feast of dedication," in John's Gospel, is not listed in Israel's prescribed feast days in Leviticus 23, our Lord and Messiah celebrated Hanukkah like He did ALL of Israel's feasts, in fulfilling in totality the Law of Moses. John recorded that Christ walked on Solomon's porch during this sacred day on Israel's religious calendar "and it was winter." <John 10:22> meaning that not only did Jesus recognize the Feast but again was the fulfillment of this feast in that HE will be the Temple Cleanser and Israel's salvation at some point yet future after the Great Tribulation period!

The Miracle of Hanukkah's Light, A Type of the Light of The World-the Lord Jesus

According to Jewish tradition, the night when the rededication began, only one undefiled cruse of oil could be found and contained oil for only one day. Miraculously, however, the cruse kept burning for eight days which gives the meaning for another name of this feast, "the Feast of Lights," which we want to look at more closely and how it relates to the LIGHT that shines out of darkness for fallen humanity today. The "feast of Lights," speaks to both the believer AND the non-believer of  THE LIGHT – the Messiah of Israel - Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. We know that all of Israel’s feasts point to HIM and He fulfills ALL of Israel's feasts. Jesus IS the light of the world and as the Light has come to break the powers of darkness off of the fallen sons of Adam's race and the give TRUTH to the hungry heart seeking to find their way out of the dark morass sin has brought.  From the very foundations of our universe when God declared, "Let their be Light," the prophetic overtone of such statement was a portrait of Earth's coming redeemer, the Christ, who has been THE light that has kept men from darkness and set men free from the powers of hell and bondage.

Romans 8:18-32
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

The LIGHT that shines out of darkness is Jesus Christ and wherever His gospel is preached, LIGHT always wins out!!!!! Mankind's ills are the result of the Fall and as a result the entire EARTH shakes and travails, groaning in PAIN together with the fallen sons of Adam, WAITING to be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious LIBERTY (LIGHT) of the children of God. Hear me here please and hear me carefully. WHEN ONE IS BORN AGAIN and comes to faith in Christ that individual experiences this freedom!!!!!!!!!!! Yet, this freedom does not take place in totality until the rapture or resurrection of the believer at the coming of Christ for the saints. In other words, we are BORN again when we accept what Christ did for us at the Cross by faith; we are BEING saved on a daily basis by the renewing and regeneration of the Holy Ghost, and one day we will BE SAVED, GLORIFIED as the scripture puts it at the rapture of the Church. The resurrection completes the great salvation process!!!!!This is what we as saints have been made partakers of through Christ.

1 Cor. 6:10-11
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Jude 1:1
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.


Romans 8:16-19
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Col. 1:12
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

This is the HOPE of the saints, the BLESSED HOPE of which Hanukkah points - the fulfillment of our inheritance as saints IN LIGHT!

Colossians 3:4 "When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory."

At the trump of God, we will be GLORIFIED with HIM and changed in His likeness!

Philippians 3:20,21 "For our conversation is in Heaven; from where also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself."

1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."

The Holy Spirit through Paul gives greater insight on this blessed event:

1 Cor. 15:51-55
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

That's the HOPE of the CHURCH and will let Israel know that her time of trouble may increase greatly shortly thereafter but it will end seven years after with the physical, Second Coming of Christ to the Earth to redeem His own!

What The Bible Says About Light

Scripture says three unique and main things about "light:"

1. Jesus IS the Light of the World

2. Believers are a reflection of The Light of Christ and such are "lights" in a world of darkness

3. The Word of God IS a LIGHT to the believer to keep us on the path of life and out of darkness

Psalm 119:105-115
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. [106] I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. [107] I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. [108] Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments. [109] My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. [110] The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. [111] Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. [112] I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end.  [113] I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. [114] Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. [115] Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

As the world goes into another calendar year, and as the birth pains of Messiah continue to intensify, we all must look to the LIGHT of God's Word, which keeps us ALL on the path of life and can only be understood through the power and illumination of the power of the HOLY GHOST who guides us and guards us in our service and obedience to Him.

Let the reader be clear that the celebration of Hanukkah is a reminder to all that Israel is not only the thermometer for the spiritual condition of the world, it is also the thermostat, the trigger, if you will, in the hand of God as He guides this age toward the fullness of the harvest and the coming of His Kingdom. If this is so, then strategic and political developments in and around Israel indicate that increasing shaking and challenges are on the horizon, and that we who are called by His Name ought to be more dedicated today to His calling than we were yesterday and be sure we are reflecting the TRUE light that shines out of the darkness.

The Fight Against Humanism and Paganism Is Just As Real Today As It Was in The Days of Judas Maccabbee

To restate a bit of history again, Antiochus Epiphanies, a Syrian/Greek king who reigned during the second century BC, enforced the humanistic agenda of Greece upon the God-fearing Jewish population of Israel. Antiochus captured Jerusalem, slew 80,000 of her Jewish residents, and sold a like number into slavery. He then removed the sacred vessels from the Temple, slaughtered a pig on the altar of burnt offering, and defiled the entire complex by sprinkling swine broth all over the grounds and buildings. Daily sacrifices and worship services ceased altogether as the nation's spiritual heart was assaulted and dishonored.

Seeking to erase the Jewish national life, Antiochus forbade the worship of God, circumcision, the keeping of the Sabbath, and the observance of the Feasts under the pain of torture and death. The books of the Law and the prophets were destroyed, the Temple was converted to host pagan ceremonies, and a statue of Jupiter was erected on the altar. Antiochus' agenda was calculated and straightforward--wiping out the nation of Israel as a distinct people group who are defined by their faith in the One True God.  Submitting to his pagan policies would mean only one thing--the annihilation of the people of God and the cessation of God's plan of redemption for the world. Without a people, a Temple, and a living body of faith, there would be no Messiah. The stakes were high, as hell raged against the nearing fulfillment of the prophecies announcing the birth of the Savior, and the enemy worked hard to stop God's salvation purpose by eradicating the people through whom the Messiah was to be born.

With incredible courage and sacrifice, a priestly family under the headship of Matthias and his son Judah "the Maccabee" ("Sledge Hammer" in Hebrew), the land and the people were safe again; ready to receive the seed of God who was promised to be born to the house of David in the land of Judah.

Galatians 4:4
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

As the Macabbees cleansed the temple so long ago and re-established the Word of God (The Torah of the Old Covenant at the time), so too today we must RESTORE the Word of God to the church and cleanse our TEMPLES, which are the Anti-type of the Temple cleansed by Judas Macabbee.

1 Cor. 6:17-20
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. [18] Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. [19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

A Jewish theologian said recently: "There can be no true worship in the courts of the Lord without first driving the enemy out." Liberating Jerusalem and the Temple was the ultimate goal of the campaign to secure Jewish survival and sovereignty. Once the Syrian forces were driven out, the Maccabees tore down the pagan idols, cleansed the altar, purified the instruments of worship, and prepared to offer acceptable sacrifices to God.  However, they had enough consecrated oil to rekindle the Eternal Light in the Holy Place for only one day, and messengers were sent to the countryside to collect, press, and consecrate a new supply of oil. Miraculously, the lamp remained lit for eight full days, illuminating the inner sanctuary until the messengers returned with a fresh supply of oil.

The story of Hanukkah is the testimony of the faith, courage, determination, and sacrifice that are needed to liberate, cleanse, and rededicate a defiled temple for a holy purpose. In these modern times, there can be no true worship in the courts of the Lord without first driving the enemy out, casting down the idols of humanism and paganism, cleansing the altar from polluted sacrifices, and rededicating oneself as an instrument of worship.  Without the historic Hanukkah, Israel's persevering faith and the Maccabees' fierce spirit, Jesus would not have had the promised human cradle to be born into. Without Hanukkah, none of the hundreds of Messianic prophecies that had to find their fulfillment in the Lord's Davidic lineage could have been fulfilled. (DORON)

Without Hanukkah there would have been no Mary to conceive God's Son, no Joseph to provide for her, no Bethlehem for Him to be born in, no shepherds to hear the angelic proclamation, no Simeon or Anna to prophesy at His dedication, no Nazareth to be His childhood home, no John the Baptist to prepare His way, no Temple courts to teach in, no disciples to follow Him, no Golgotha to be crucified at, and no tomb to rise from. Without Hanukkah, there would have been no Jesus and no Christmas.  As I write this, I ask you today, "Is your heart a ready Temple for the Lord?"

Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, was essential in order to ensure the first coming of God's Son. The land, the people, and the Temple had to be ready to receive their King, even though they did not know Him yet. His second coming in the power and glory of His Kingdom will be in a similar manner, only far more spectacular, visible, and dreadful to those who are not prepared for or expecting His appearing. Once again, the Temple of God, this time the Temple of His Spirit, must be fought for, liberated, cleansed, and rededicated to receive our King a SECOND time!! Jesus is coming soon friend! The trump of God could sound at any moment!

Is your heart a ready Temple for the Lord? Your marriage? Your family? Is there worship, prayer, and exaltation in your courts, or are you oppressed under the heavy yoke of pagan idols and enslaved to humanistic principles?  As in the past, the "Maccabee" of God, the "Sledge Hammer" of the Almighty, will fall with crushing blows upon the enemies of your soul. And though status quo religiosity hates conflict and shuns confrontation and the loss of this world's acceptance, God, who fights for you, will ensure your freedom and your place in His rededicated courts.

As the Jewish community worldwide soon lights the Hanukkah candles, sings songs of victory, exchanges gifts, eats festive foods, and recites the great miracle of the oil, won't you join them in spirit and in truth looking for the liberation, cleansing, and dedication of the Temple of your heart?

Malachi 3:1-3
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. [2] But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope: [3] And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

The Spirit of the Lord is the Lamp of the Lord That Cleanses Our Temple and Separates the Light From The Darkness

Proverbs 20:27
The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

The Hebrew word for “light” in this passage is “or” which means “illumination” or “luminary.” Its root word means “to be, cause to make luminous” and “enlighten” and may be used literally and/or metaphorically. In the metaphorical sense it refers to light of a spiritual nature. Just as the true believer is referred to as a “LIGHT” in this world, so too is the MESSIAH referred to as the “LIGHT” of creation. God calls the LIGHT OF THE MESSIAH “GOOD” and separates it from the “darkness.”
 
Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
 
Philip. 2:14-15
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: [15] That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Rabbinical understanding also reveals the light of Genesis 1:4 to be associated with Messianic fulfillment. On a far more interesting scale, according to Rabbinical tradition, the numerical equivalence of the Hebrew words ("gematria"), the light of creation is shown to be related to the light of the Torah, God’s instruction according to the 613 commandments given in the first five books of the Bible.
 
Jesus is refered to in the New Covenant as the “WORD” and the “LIGHT.” In John 1:1 the “WORD” literally references the LAW or TORAH that Jesus fulfilled when He came to earth. As the fulfillment of the Law of God, which was LIGHT in itself to a world in sin, Jesus becomes the LIGHT to the world that directs man to obedience through His work on the Cross - the only way to have the TORAH fulfilled in us through the work of the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer once we're born again. We cannot fulfill the Law on our own. Man is a sinner. Man has broken God’s law. In man, there is nothing but DARKNESS. But when Man comes to Yeshua, Man ceases to be filled with darkness but is then filled with the LIGHT and the GLORY of the Messiah through the glorious work of the Holy Spirit at regeneration and throughout the believers' life if that believer will but walk IN the power of the Holy Ghost.
 
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
 
The word “beginning” comes from the  Greek: "arche" (GSN-746), which means a “beginning, origin, first; the dateless past (Genesis 1:1; Proverbs 8:23). Jesus The Messiah and Christ has been here since BEFORE the foundations of this world existed as the LIGHT and the WORD of God. The light on Day ONE was actually the LIGHT OF THE MESSIAH and it preceded the LIGHT on day four. David wrote in Psalms 104:
 
Psalm 104:1-2
Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honor and majesty. [2] Who covers thyself with light as with a garment: who stretches out the heavens like a curtain:
 
In the New Covenant, the Greek translated word as “the Light” of God is phos, which is derived from the word "phao" (“to shine”). These words can also be traced to another Greek word phone meaning “voice,” “saying,” or “language.” It is the word used in Genesis 1:3-5 and in John 1:1 and speaks not only of Messiah’s brilliance but of the LIGHT of God’s WORD. It refers to the WORD incarnate, Jesus the Messiah.
 
John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
 
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
 
Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
 
Psalm 27:1
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
 
There is only ONE thing that can save an individual from spiritual darkness – the knowledge of the TRUTH and the LIGHT of the Creator and Saviour. God’s FIRST WORDS to the world contained the knowledge of HIMSELF, the very essence of Himself – the INCARNATE WORD. This was THE LIGHT that shone so brilliantly on Day One. It was the gift of the LIGHT of GOD, the Primeval LIGHT that was revealed to a world that had been consumed in darkness and chaos because of sin. God’s master plan for man was formulated on Day One with four words – LET HIM BE LIGHT. It contained EVERY detail of God’s plan in unparalleled precision. The LIGHT contained the knowledge of God, including the plan for creation of a perfect universe, and the redemptive plan for mankind, which was implemented AFTER the fall and fulfilled at Calvary. ALL THINGS pertaining to LIGHT go back the darkest day on Earth - at least as it seemed in the natural - but was man's brightest day for it was the day the LIGHT SHINED OUT OF THE DARKNESS to set the captives free! This is what Paul meant when he wrote to the Colossians:
 
Col. 1:13-23
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: [15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. [21] And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled: [22] In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: [23] If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
 
Verse 23 clearly states that all CREATION proclaims the Gospel, God’s master plan of salvation, and the Christ as its fulfillment. God provided a path of redemption by providing knowledge of HIMSELF through Jesus the Son of God, the Light of the World, in order to reconcile humanity to Himself:
 
2 Cor 5:18-21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(KJV)
 
The purpose of the master plan was the point humanity to its CREATOR and its SAVIOUR – Jesus Christ, so that man would not wander in darkness without the knowledge of God and remain lost forever. David declares in Psalms 19 that the “heavens” declare the “GLORY” of God:
 
Psalm 19:1-2
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showed his handiwork. [2] Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showed knowledge.
 
Paul agreed with David in his writing about Christ:
 
1 Tim. 6:15-16
Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; [16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen
 
2 Cor. 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
 
The LIGHT that came forth on day one came forth from the darkness came in the FACE OF JESUS CHRIST. When we look at HIM we will truly see and know THE FATHER. When we look at HIM, we will truly see the TRUTH. When we look at HIM – we will truly see the way out of the darkness of our lives. When we look at HIM – we see our redemption, our holiness, our sanctification. He just don’t “give” us those things – HE IS THOSE THINGS to us! Praise God and the Lamb forever. Men cannot say "I know God," and not know Jesus! Men cannot say "I believe in God," and not believe in the Son. Men have many "gods" today but there is only one TRUE GOD and the face of that one True God is the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Some of you reading this were at one time some of the worst sinners wondering in a sea of darkness and hell imaginable. But one day, God spoke and said “LET HIM BE LIGHT” and the power of the Holy Ghost convicted you and showed you the way out of that hell and darkness. I was visiting a church the other night in north Georgia to see my 9-year old get baptized. As I was seated I watched about 50-70 young people walk in – young men and women – precious to behold – clean shaven, looking sharp, rejoicing, praising God. These young men and women filled an entire section of the church’s service that Friday night. Someone leaned over to me and said “see those young people over there? They are all ex-drug addicts and have been saved just a few months now. They belong to Teen Challenge here in Rock Springs and come to church to worship God every Friday night.” Tears just welled up in my eyes and heart as I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to know that when God speaks “LET HIM BE LIGHT” to those in darkness – no power of hell can stand against that.
 
My Lord I want to shout. My Lord I want to praise God right now. My Lord I want to dance like David did before Him. Neighbor are you hearing what I am saying to you today. You can be FREE drug addict. You can be free homosexual. You can be free alcoholic. You can be free from that lying spirit sir. You can be free from internet pornography. You can be free from illicit affairs and sexual immorality. You can be free from that horrible temper and vulgar mouth sir. You can free lady from that demonic spirit driving you to starve yourself to death so you can have a nice figure. MY LORD I feel this. No matter the darkness, no matter the bondage, no matter the evil, no matter the wickedness, no matter the powers of hell that are afflicting you or holding you right now – when God speaks LET HIM BE LIGHT – There is light! There is light! There is light! There is light! There is light! There is light! There is light!
 
The People Who Have Walked In Darkness……
 
Isaiah 9:2
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
 
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. [2] For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. [3] And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
 
Isaiah 60:19
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
 
Neighbor this earth is about to be, let me change that, this earth IS being enveloped in darkness more and more each day. The enemy knows his time is short and as the end approaches he will try and “cover” the earth with his darkness. Remember Lucifer means “the cherub that covers,” and believe me he is doing all he can to cover people’s lives today with his filth, his lies, his deceit, his wickedness, his murder, his hate, his arrogance, his pride, his immorality, his deception, his greed, his contempt for God and everything that is right. Satan is having his time right now and he will have even a bigger time during the Great Tribulation period through the Antichrist.
 
The only source of truth today is to behold the MESSIAH and see HIS LIGHT. HIS LIGHT will dispel the darkness. Israel as a nation may sit in darkness right now, but one day she will behold this light fully and declare “BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!” She will receive the light she rejected so long ago.
 
He That Walks In Darkness…..
 
John 12:35-36
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. [36] While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
 
John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
 
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.
 
1 John 1:5
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
 
Jesus declared that they who embrace HIM as their Messiah will not walk in darkness. When we walk in darkness we don’t know where we are going. And that describes the state of the world today - and sadly most of the church. We look at Washington D.C., and as much as President Bush tries and our Congress tries and the Supreme Court tries to steer this country in the right direction, as a whole America is a drift because America has rejected light. Let me change that a little – AMERICA HAS REJECTED THE LIGHT. Little by little the light of the gospel torch is trying to be extinguished by forces inside our government. The voices of godly men are being silenced each day by new laws and new pressure being put on our government to rid this land of its godly heritage.

The horrible part of that is that the apostate church in America spews out a message that has nothing but darkness in it because it does not embrace the TRUE LIGHT – JESUS. Preachers get on television and preach on riches, money and blessing but they never preach about the fact that God has spoken and said “LET HIM BE LIGHT” and that LIGHT died for the sins of mankind in the darkness of the crucifixion so long ago. Paul said I am determined to know NOTHING but CHRIST and HIM CRUCIFIED. Yeshua was the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, yet in gross darkness HE DIED. He died, He died, He died, He died. The cross sir, it’s the cross. The cross preacher, it’s the cross. Preach the cross. Preach the cross church. Preach the death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua Ha’maschiah. The souls in hell don’t care who you got coming this Friday night in concert preacher.

The souls in hell don’t care what the church softball team is doing this year in the standings. The souls in hell don’t care what color your carpet is or the size of your new gym. God help us. NO NO NO NO, the souls in hell are in eternal darkness because they rejected the LIGHT OF THE MESSIAH and died lost and without God. Jesus called it “outer darkness.” And friend you’re headed there today if you haven’t made Yeshua Lord of your life today. It’s either Jesus or hell. It’s either Jesus or the pit. It’s Jesus or darkness. It’s Jesus or death. There are no alternative answers to man’s problems in this life. The only way out of man’s darkness are the words spoken by Elohim so long ago- LET HIM BE LIGHT.
 
I Jn 1:5-10
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
(KJV)
 
John said that if we walk in the light as HE is in the light, we have FELLOWSHIP one with another. Neighbor, light and darkness don’t mix. Jesus Himself said that if the light in you “be darkness,” then “how great was that darkness?” You can’t have one foot in and one foot out. You can’t say I’m saved, and have “LIGHT” and live like hell itself. You can’t say I’m saved and I have received light and be spiritually blind to the things of God. It’s impossible. John said that if we say we walk in the light and deny we are sinful then we have deceived ourselves and the LIGHT of the gospel is not in us.
 
I Jn 2:8-12
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
(KJV)
 
John makes it abundantly clear that the light that shines in our heart will cause us to love one another. If we say we’re in the light and hate our brother then we are deceived and walk in darkness. He says that the “darkness” of the enemy has BLINDED his eyes. That is spiritual deception and it’s the darkness Yeshua has come to dispel.
 
The Lamb Is The Light
 
Rev 21:23-22:5 - And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
 
John saw the Holy City where there was no MOON or SUN because the GLORY of God did lighten it. The GLORY OF GOD is the same light we have been talking about from the beginning of this journal – the MESSIAH. John likens this light to the LAMB which speaks of His sacrifice on Calvary. He will forever be the eternal LAMB OF GOD, never forget that. When we walk in that city and see Him face to face, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the first thing He will show us will be the “marks” and “wounds” of slaughter that He suffered that we may be citizens of heaven and not hell. The church needs to get this truth again. We’ve lost it and as a result men are wondering in darkness among us. That’s another journal for another time.
 
In Closing….. Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light
 
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God
 
Many of us reading this journal today have known John 3:16 since we were children. The verses that follow John 3:16 though tell the tale of millions in hell today without God and no hope for eternity. MEN LOVED DARKNESS rather than light and because of that they chose to remain in that darkness and not repent of their evil deeds. That is the world’s condemnation. That is America’s condemnation. That is the apostate church’s condemnation. And that is YOUR condemnation today if you have not repented of your sins sir. If you love the light you will come to the light to have your deeds exposed and reproved. In other words, you will come to God and CONFESS those deeds as evil and repent and allow the Lord’s GRACE to wash you and cleanse you from those sins through the precious blood of that LAMB that John saw who was the LIGHT.
 
As I close this journal today I have tears in my eyes because I know that there is a chance that some of you reading this are not going to receive the LIGHT given to you today. The people in hell are in darkness right now. They have rejected light. Neighbor, it’s getting late both prophetically and it’s getting late for your soul today. You’re not promised of tomorrow. Your life is but a vapor. You must be born again. When you are born again you will be given the LIGHT OF THE MESSIAH.
 
As we light the Hanukkah candles this holiday season, let us remember the words of creation – LET HIM BE LIGHT. He is our Light today and He is YOUR light today too sinner friend. Embrace that light before it is eternally too late. I want to close this journal out with the words of an old gospel song "In the City Where the Lamb Is The Light," I heard many years ago. As I sit here and write this message to you I feel the Holy Spirit prodding me to pen the words to it. If we will receive Messiah today - we will go to a CITY where the LAMB is the light! Shalom, God Bless.
 
 

There’s a country far beyond the starry sky,
There’s a city where there never comes a night;
If we’re faithful we shall go there by and by,
’Tis the city where the Lamb is the light.

In that city where the Lamb is the light,
The city where there cometh no night;
I’ve a mansion over there,
And when free from toil and care,
I am going where the Lamb is the light.
Here we have our days of sunshine, but we know
That the sun which shines upon us now so bright
Will be changed to clouds and rain until we go
To the city where the Lamb is the light.

There the flowers bloom forever and the day
Shall be one eternal day without a night;
And our tears shall be forever wiped away,
In that city where the Lamb is the light.

Here we have our disappointments all the while,
And our fondest hopes but meet with bitter blight;
Tho’ by night we weep, the morning brings a smile,
In that city where the Lamb is the light.

Then let sunlight fade, let twilight bring its gloom,
Not a shadow can my blissful soul affright;
For I know that up in Heaven there is room,
In that city where the Lamb is the light

THAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THIS HANUKKAH SEASON! God bless, Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah. Celebrate the Miracle this holiday season in Jesus!