In this season of political unrest, the spirit of confusion is working over our circumstances, relationships and emotional health. But God’s Word says that there is nothing new under the sun (see Eccl. 1:9).
Therefore, we can look at events from the past to give us prophetic insights this season.
Hanukkah is right around the corner. And the account of the Maccabean Revolt gives us keys to overcoming the oppressors today. There is great prophetic significance in Hanukkah, especially for this year.
As someone who has observed Hanukkah for more than 30 years, I’ve never seen this Jewish festival have more significance than it does today.
During the Maccabean Revolt (166 B.C.–160 B.C.)
—A Hellenistic mindset influenced the culture.
—A Hellenistic mindset infiltrated the church.
—God raised up a remnant army to battle the oppressors, and they won.
Look around, and you will see this as a prophetic word manifesting today.
The Hanukkah Story
The Maccabees, a small Jewish rebel army, refused to allow the Hellenistic culture and system to infiltrate their faith. Antiochus IV, the Syrian ruler at the time, outlawed Jewish practices and traditions. He even placed pagan gods in the Jewish Temple, completely desecrating it.
The culture was overtaken by this Greek mindset, and sadly, so were many of the Jewish priests. The Maccabees refused to compromise. They fought to clean out the pagan culture that had mixed with their own.
By the power of the Lord, this small army was able to overcome Antiochus’ army and take back the Temple.
But that wasn’t the only miracle. There was only one day’s worth of purified oil used to light the Temple menorah—they needed enough for eight days. So, they decided to move forward with what they had, relying on the Lord to provide … and He did. One day’s oil lasted eight days!
The Prophetic Significance of Hanukkah
There is something many people miss about the Hanukkah story that resonates with me this year.
As mentioned, many of the Jewish priests also adopted the Hellenistic mindset. So, when the Maccabees fought, they weren’t fighting only outside forces, they were fighting a civil war.
You see, the enemy had infiltrated their faith. Therefore, God called the Maccabees to rise up as a remnant army, cleansing the idolatry and entangled mindsets that were impacting their worship of the one true God.
God raised a remnant army then, and He is doing it today. You are part of that remnant army!
Idolatry is evident in our culture. As a nation, we’ve gotten away from the morals and Judeo-Christian roots that it was founded upon. We’ve allowed a Hellenistic system to take over.
Sadly, it is also infiltrating the church.
It is time we rise up to tear down and clean out the distorted values that have crept in and mixed with the culture and our faith.
Bride of Christ, arise!
We are called to be kings and priests. We are called to seek God’s kingdom first.
This was true during the time of the Maccabean Revolt, and it is true today. Through the Maccabees’ fight, the priesthood, the Temple and their faith were transformed.
The Lord is asking us to …
Fight for what you believe in. We must fight in prayer in the spiritual realm. We cannot be passive; we must be actively praising the Lord’s name, repenting of the sin in our nation’s past and believing God delivers on His promises.
“For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also” (2 Cor. 11:19-21, NKJV).
Don’t compromise God’s instruction during the redemption process. During the battle, we want to compromise our faith and God’s instruction. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands” (John 14:15, CSB). Be encouraged by the Lord’s instruction.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33, NKJV).
The remnant must be set apart and dependent on God and His provision. Resist self-reliance or a Hellenized mindset. Remember your identity.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).
Battle in the opposite spirit (see Matt. 12:26) when the enemy attempts to erect false gods in your temple. Opportunities for growth or progress will not present themselves until you remove the enemy from your atmosphere. Remember the Spirit dwells with you, and you in Him.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19).
This year is the year that we must praise with our mouths and battle in the spirit during this season. The enemy is working the same way he did during the Maccabean Revolt. He is using a Hellenistic system to bring fear and oppression to God’s people.
However, I will continue to battle just as I have for decades. I will call on the Messiah, the anointed one, to anoint me and all believers. Let us join together, as a three-stranded cord not easily broken.
We move forward in faith, believing that new oil will be provided, and the Light of the World has already overcome the darkness. {eoa}
Curt Landry, founder of Curt Landry Ministries, and his wife, Christie, travel extensively, preaching and teaching about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. Together, their passion is to empower families to live and leave kingdom legacies and understand their own personal heritage.
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