***MYSTERY OF THE TWO WITNESSES AND HANUKKAH*** ***TEN FACTS YOU MUST KNOW! ________________________________ Hanukkah shall be celebrated on 16 December 2014. It is an 8 day feast in the Winter season which celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple of God, after Antiochus Epiphanies IV desecrated it in fulfillment of Daniel 8:8-14. The events of Hanukkah is a foreshadow of the events surrounding the Great Tribulation and the Dedication of the Messianic Temple of God. Jesus Observed Hanukkah in the scriptures and so should we. John 10 “2 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Ezekiel 43 “25 Every day for seven days you shall prepare a goat for a sin offering; they shall also prepare a young bull and a ram from the flock, both without blemish. 26 Seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it, and so consecrate it. 27 When these days are over it shall be, on the eighth day and thereafter, that the priests shall offer your burnt offerings and your peace offerings on the altar; and I will accept you,’ says the Lord GOD.” ________________________________ FACT #1 According to scripture, the two witnesses are symbolized as the two olive trees and lampstands before the Lord Revelation 11 “4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God[b] of the earth.” FACT#2 The Lord commands that the priests kept the Lampstand lit everyday while it was in the temple, with olive oil, hence the name of the two witnesses as the two olive trees. Exodus 27 “20 “And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. 21 In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel. FACT #3 The two lampstands which referred to the two witnesses were designed with six branches (3 on the left side/ 3 on the right side), a shaft in the middle, and 22 bowls with its ornament knobs, and flowers. Exodus 25 “31 “You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece FACT #4 The Three branches to the left on the lampstand may refer to one witness while the other three branches to the right may refer to the other witness, with the main shaft in the middle of the lampstand, representing the Lord. Exodus 25 32 And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. FACT #4 The bowls of the Lampstand may in fact reference back to the parable of the fig tree “Blossoming”. If this is true, then it means that the arrival of the two witnesses (Olive Tree and Lampstand) will be the significant indicator that the time is near. When Jesus gave the parable of the Fig Tree, He was in the “Mount Of Olives” surrounded by “Olive Trees”. Olive oil is the oil that was used in keeping the lampstands lighted. In addition, the bowls can represent the plagues that the two witnesses will be able to strike the nations with, as read in Revelation 16. Exodus 25 “33 Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower—and so for the six branches that come out of the lampstand. 34 On the lampstand itself four bowls shall be made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower. 35 And there shall be a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand. Matthew 24 “3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”… 32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it[d] is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. FACT #5 There are a total of seven lamps on the lampstand. These can represent the last 7 years before the Lord’s return as well as other significant items. When the Lord sat in the Mount of Olives, He spoke of the prophecy of Daniel and the abomination that causes desolation which ties in to the prophecy of the 7 year covenant. In the prophecy of Daniel, 3.5 years into the 7 last years, the beast would forsake the covenant and usher in the Great Tribulation. There will be an agreement made to rebuild the temple but it shall not be completed. Exodus 25 “37 You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it. 38 And its wick-trimmers and their trays shall be of pure gold. 39 It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils. 40 And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain. Matthew 24 “15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’[c] spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Daniel 8 “11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?” 14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days;[a] then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.” Daniel 9 “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.” FACT #6 The two witnesses shall give their testimony in the courtyards of the Temple Mount for 3.5 years of the 7 year tribulation. The gentile nation will also be in control of the courtyards for 3.5 years during the false 7 year agreement to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. The two witnesses will be a burdensome stone to the Jews and Gentiles while the temple is being constructed under this false agreement. Revelation 11 “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood,[a] saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God[b] of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. FACT #7 After the two witnesses give their testimony for 3.5 years they will be killed. However, 3.5 days later they shall be resurrected and caught up in the clouds to be with the Lord. This event signals that it will be during the spring feast (Passover, Unleavened, First Fruits, and Pentecost) that this event will occur. After Jesus/ Yahoshua gave His testimony, He was then led to be crucified for our sins. He died, was buried, then rose on the third day. In Acts1, Forty days after His resurrection He ascended to heaven in a cloud. The Two witnesses were also present in Acts 1, when Jesus ascended to heaven. There is a symbolic representation with the two witnesses. The only difference is when the two witnesses are caught up to the cloud, the bowl judgment shall begin. Acts 1 “9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Revelation 11 7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our[c] Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow[d] their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they[e] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. Fact # 8 The departure of the two witnesses may tie in with the resurrection of the dead in Christ, who is then caught up as well. This is different from the rapture because it is only the dead in Christ that is caught up. I do not know if the rapture of those who are alive, will occur at that time. The departure of the two witnesses, will more than likely signal the start of the last 3.5 year Great Tribulation under the sounding of the 7th and last Trumpet. The great earthquake that shall occur when the two witnesses are caught will more than likely be the exploding graves of the sleeping Saints in Christ as they are resurrected and caught up. Either way, the departure of the Two Witnesses shall complete the Lord’s final testimony to the Earth. This is when the question spoken by the disciples in Acts 1, be fulfilled. Acts 1 “6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Revelation 11 15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms[f] of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come,[g] Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant[h] was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. 1 Thessalonians 4 “14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.[a] 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. FACT #9 Hanukah is the celebration of the Feast of Dedication also known as Feast of Lights. It was observed by the Jews when the Second temple was rededicated after the abomination committed by Antiochus Epiphanies IV in the Maccabean war. He sacrificed a pig on the altar and put up pagan idols in the sanctuary. He committed many great atrocities against the people of God and is considered as the prototype of the coming Antichrist. Daniel 8 prophey about Antiochus Epiphanies IV and Jesus/Yahoshua makes mention of him and the End Time atrocity which will parallel during the great tribulation in Matthew 24. Hanukkah is celebrated during the winter season and is 8 days long. The Menorah (Lampstand) played a major role in rededicating the Second Temple after the reign of Antiochus Epiphanies IV. The rededication of the Temple, cleansed the Temple and made it ready for the First Advent of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ observed Hanukkah in Jerusalem. John 10 “2 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Matthew 24 “15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’[c] spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Daniel 8 “11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?” 14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days;[a] then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.” FACT #10 (FINAL) According to scripture, in order for the two witnesses to complete their testimony by the Feast of Pentecost 2017, we need to go back 3.5 years and discover the month of their appearance. When we go back 3.5 years, we land on the Hebrew month of Kislev. In the month of Kislev begins the celebration of Hanukkah (24 Kislev 5774/ 16 December 2014). https://youtube/watch?v=DTcOSKgK9lA
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 12:09:19 +0000
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