The holy days of Hanukkah are celebrated in the Jewish community but are disconnected from our Christian faith. If we understand history and prophecy, the days become much more than a holiday near Christmas. Jewish days are God's time fulfilling God's plan.

Hanukkah History

After the reign of Alexander the Great, the Greek empire was divided by four of his generals. Greek Egypt (south) ruled Judea but through a series of civil wars, Greek Syria (north) took control of the region. On the 15th of Kislev in 168 BC, the army of Antiochus IV set up an image of the Greek pagan god Zeus in the Jewish temple and sacrificed pigs. Hellenized Jews ate the pigs but Jewish priest Mattathias refused and led a revolt against Greek Syria. After 1150 days, Mattathias' son, Judas Maccabee, recaptured the Jewish temple. On the 25th of Kislev in 165 BC (3814 AM), they rededicated the temple. There was one day of oil for the menorah but the oil lasted eight days. Each year, the Jews celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah to remember the victory over Greek Syria and the miracle of oil. 

They shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate (Daniel 11:31).

Hanukkah and Christmas

One spring day in Sivan (June) of 8 BC, Zachariah the priest was in the Jewish temple and encountered the angel Gabriel. His family division of Abijah was selected eighth so along with the feasts of Unleavened Bread and Tabernacles, he served at the temple in the ninth (Law/Pentecost) and tenth (Abijah) week of the Jewish year (1 Chronicles 24:1, 10). Six months later in Kislev (December), Gabriel told Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah. On the 25th of Kislev during Hanukkah or December 24-25 of 8 BC, Jesus Christ was incarnated. Both Hanukkah and Tabernacles are called the Feast of Lights and Feast of Dedication. Jesus Christ was conceived on Hanukkah and nine months later, was born on Tabernacles.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, you that are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word (Luke 1:26-28, 38).

Hanukkah and Our Time

During World War I, British General Edmund Allenby miraculously captured the Ottoman city of Jerusalem on December 9, 1917 (24th of Kislev) without a fight (Haggai 2:18). Two days later (Hanukkah), he walked into Jerusalem in honor of the Holy City. Thirty years later on the 5th of Iyar (May 14, 1948), the United Kingdom surrendered control and Israel was born.

Hanukkah and the Millennium

In the future, the Rapture occurs on the 1st of Tishri (Trumpets). The Tribulation is seven years. Ten kings reign the first half and Antichrist reigns the second half. The Second Coming occurs on the 10th of Tishri (Atonement). Thirty days of mourning occurs on the 10th of Heshvan (Noah). Forty-five days later is the 25th of Kislev (Hanukkah). At the beginning of the reign of Jesus Christ, the king is crowned, earth is restored and nations are judged (1260 + 30 = 1290 + 45 = 1335).

He (Antichrist) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time [3½ years, 42 months or 1260 days] (Daniel 7:25).

From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be 1290 days. Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the 1335 days. (Daniel 12:11-12).

In 2016, the first day of Hanukkah occurs on the evening of December 24 and the day of December 25. This was the same day in December 8 BC when Jesus Christ began His mission of redemption.

The minor Jewish holy days of Hanukkah start as a little miracle of light but are a great celebration of the Light of the World and future prophecy of the reign of Jesus Christ.

References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq War & End Wars Chapter 16 - Life of Christ, First Coming, Jewish Calendar, Hanukkah, Revelation Outline, Covenant, Tribulation, Revelation, 21st Century View, Daniel, America, Timeline of the Tribulation