Dear Family in the Messiah Yeshua! Greetings and blessing from your brothers and sisters at “Holy Land Ministries in Israel”!
Introduction by Steve Chappell – HLM board member U.K.
The month of Kislev is significant because it contains the Hanukkah (the Feast of Dedication). It will be celebrated this year starting on the evening of 14th December 2025.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Dedication and the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The historical events took place in 164 BCE, when Judah Maccabee and his followers reclaimed the Temple from Seleucid Greek forces who had desecrated it. According to tradition, when they sought to relight the Temple’s menorah, they found only enough consecrated oil to burn for one day—yet miraculously, it burned for eight days until new oil could be prepared.
The cleansing of the Temple occurred on the 25th of Kislev in the Jewish calendar (which falls in November or December on the Gregorian calendar). This date marks both a military victory and a spiritual restoration—the reassertion of Jewish worship and identity against forced Hellenization.
The sages saw overtly messianic symbolism in Hanukkah, the festival therefore carries profound meaning.
Yeshua himself observed Hanukkah, referred to as the “Feast of Dedication” in John 10:22-23, where he walked in Solomon’s Colonnade during winter. This connection suggests the feast held significance in first-century Jewish life and worship.
The Maccabean revolt represents themes of deliverance, divine intervention, and the preservation of God’s people—motifs that resonate with messianic hope. The rededication of the Temple prefigures the ultimate restoration and the belief in Messiah as the true light of the world, echoing Yeshua’s declaration in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world.“
Hanukkah’s message remains powerfully relevant in our contemporary world. It speaks to:
Religious freedom and resistance to oppression: The Maccabees’ stand against forced assimilation resonates with communities facing persecution for their faith today
The power of light against darkness: In times of division, violence, and uncertainty, Hanukkah reminds us that even a small light can dispel great darkness
Cultural and spiritual identity: The festival encourages people to maintain their convictions and heritage despite pressure to conform
Hope and perseverance: The miracle of the oil teaches that divine provision can extend our resources beyond natural limitations
Whether observed in its traditional Jewish context or appreciated for its broader spiritual themes, Hanukkah invites reflection on faithfulness, courage, and the enduring hope that light will ultimately triumph over darkness.
“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.
And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.”
John 10:22-23 New King James Version
We are pleased to be able to include the following article on Hanukkah by our local rabbi and brother in Messiah Yeshua.
בס״ד
חג חנוכה 5786
The Festival of Hanukkah 5786
and
Its Connection to the Prophet Haggai
The literal meaning of the Hebrew word חנוכה (Hanukkah) is dedication. After the Temple was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes in the second century B.C., the nation of Israel rededicated the Temple, purifying it from the sacrilege which Antiochus Epiphanes had committed. This event lays the foundation for another Biblical event which will take place in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week. This event is known as the Abomination of Desolation. It is mentioned in Daniel chapters 9, 11, and 12. It is also referred to by Yeshua in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14. It is the Apostle Paul who brings greater clarity to this event, as he uses most similar language to Daniel 11:36, when he writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:4,
ὁ ἀντικείμενος καὶ ὑπεραιρόμενος ἐπὶ πάντα λεγόμενον θεὸν ἢ σέβασμα, ὥστε αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ καθίσαι, ἀποδεικνύντα ἑαυτὸν ὅτι ἔστιν θεός.
“The one who is made to oppose and made to exalt himself over all which is named G-d or worshiped, so that he in the sanctuary (Holy of Holies) of G-d sits, and manifests himself that he is god.
The primary question which this article will address is how is the prophecy of Haggai connected to Hanukkah? There is a clear focus by Haggai on the Temple. In fact, the Temple is mentioned ten times in Haggai chapters 1 and 2. The name of Haggai means my festivals. There is a clear mention of the Feast of Tabernacles in Haggai 2:1, as the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned, the 21st day of the seventh month. This day is known as Hoshana Rabbah, which means “The Great Salvation”. This provides an important textual clue to the reader as the second chapter of Haggai is about the establishment of a Messianic Kingdom which will rule over the entire earth. In one sense, this prophecy is about the building of the Second Temple, but in Haggai 2:9 there is a very significant change from the Second Temple period to that of the Last Temple,
גָּד֣וֹל יִֽהְיֶ֡ה כְּבוֹד֩ הַבַּ֨יִת הַזֶּ֤ה הָאַֽחֲרוֹן֙ מִן־הָ֣רִאשׁ֔וֹן אָמַ֖ר יְהֹוָ֣ה צְבָא֑וֹת וּבַמָּק֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ אֶתֵּ֣ן שָׁל֔וֹם נְאֻ֖ם יְהֹוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃
״Great will be the Glory of this Temple, the last one, more than the first, said the L-rd of Host and in this place I will give peace, declares the L-rd of Hosts.” Haggai 2:9
The reference to the “Last Temple” relates to the Temple that will be present during the Millennial Kingdom. Please note that there will not be any Temple in the New Jerusalem (See Revelation 21:22).
Καὶ ναὸν οὐκ εἶδον ἐν αὐτῇ, ὁ γὰρ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ ναὸς αὐτῆς ἐστιν, καὶ τὸ ἀρνίον.
“And a Sanctuary, I did not see in it, for the L-rd G-d Almighty is its Sanctuary and the Lamb.” Revelation 21:22
When studying Haggai chapter 2, there are no less than five direct references to the 24th day of the ninth month. It is stated that this was the day on which the foundation for the Sanctuary was laid, (See Haggai 2:18). Regarding two of these references, the reader is commanded to pay attention to this day. This day would be the very day at nightfall when Hanukkah would begin. Hence, the second Festival which is mentioned in the prophecy of Haggai is indeed Hanukkah. There is also a reference to Hanukkah found in the book of Daniel.
וּמֵעֵת הוּסַר הַתָּמִיד וְלָתֵת שִׁקּוּץ שֹׁמֵם יָמִים אֶלֶף מָאתַיִם וְתִשְׁעִים: אַשְׁרֵ֥י הַֽמְחַכֶּ֖ה וְיַגִּ֑יעַ לְיָמִ֕ים אֶ֕לֶף שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice was removed and the giving of the Abomination of Desolation, 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits and arrives to 1,335 days.” Daniel 12:11-12
From these two verses, one learns that what causes the daily sacrifices to stop is the Abomination of Desolation. Based upon other verses in the Bible, one would expect the Abomination of Desolation to occur at 1,260 days. Hence, according to verse 11, there are an additional 30 days, 1,290-1,260 = 30 days. In the Scriptures, the number 30 is associated with mourning, i.e., death. This means that from the Abomination of Desolation until the Second Coming of Messiah, there will be 1,260 days, plus an additional 30 days. What should one conclude from this information? At the Second Coming of Messiah towards the end of Daniel’s 70th week, Israel will recognise Who their Messiah is and will mourn Him for 30 days. This fact is supported by the Prophet Zechariah 12:10-14. These verses teach that at the Second Coming of Yeshua, Israel will mourn for the One Who has been pierced, i.e., crucified, like an only son and in the bitterness, like one mourns for a Firstborn son (See Zechariah 12:10).
What is most important about the prophecy from Daniel chapter 12 is the statement in verse 12, “Blessed is the one who waits and arrives to 1,335 days.” As has been previously stated, the expectation would be for 1,260 days. However, in this verse there are actually an additional 75 days, 1,335 – 1,260 = 75. When studying the Word of G-d, one learns that in Acts chapter 7:14, originally 75 people descended to Egypt.
ἀποστείλας δὲ Ἰωσὴφ μετεκαλέσατο Ἰακὼβ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν συγγένειαν ἐν ψυχαῖς ἑβδομήκοντα πέντε,
“But after Joseph sent, he called Jacob, his father and all the family, seventy-five souls.
For what purpose did Joseph and his family go down to Egypt? The answer is so G-d could redeem them out of Egypt. Similarly, in Luke 3:23 it is stated,
Καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν Ἰησοῦς ἀρχόμενος ὡσεὶ ἐτῶν τριάκοντα, ὢν υἱός, ὡς ἐνομίζετο, Ἰωσὴφ τοῦ Ἠλὶ
“And Yeshua Himself was about thirty years old when He began, being reckoned the son of Joseph of Heli.”
Since the number 30 relates to mourning and death, one learns from this verse the primary purpose G-d sent His Son into this world was to die in order to redeem all those who would receive Him by faith. It is important for everyone to understand that G-d’s plan of redemption does not just involve the forgiveness of sins; but will also bring about a great change into this world, a Kingdom change. It is stated in Haggai 2:6,
כִּ֣י כֹ֤ה אָמַר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת ע֥וֹד אַחַ֖ת מְעַ֣ט הִ֑יא וַאֲנִ֗י מַרְעִישׁ֙ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאֶת־הַיָּ֖ם וְאֶת־הֶחָרָבָֽה׃ וְהִרְעַשְׁתִּי֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם וּבָ֖אוּ חֶמְדַּ֣ת כׇּל־הַגּוֹיִ֑ם וּמִלֵּאתִ֞י אֶת־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ כָּב֔וֹד אָמַ֖ר יְהֹוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃
“For thus said the L-rd of Hosts, a little more and I will cause a noise in heaven and on the earth, and in the sea and on the dry land. And I will cause a noise among all the nations and they will come, with all the desired things of all the nations, I will fill this house (Temple) with glory, said the L-rd of Hosts.
In Haggai 2:21-22, the reader learns that this noise which G-d will make will bring about the overturning of the throne of the kingdoms of this world and He will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. Haggai’s prophecy concludes with the words,
בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֣וּא נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֣ה צְבָא֡וֹת אֶ֠קָּחֲךָ֠ זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל בֶּן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֤ל עַבְדִּי֙ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ כַּֽחוֹתָ֑ם כִּֽי־בְךָ֣ בָחַ֔רְתִּי נְאֻ֖ם יְהֹוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃
“On that day, declares the L-rd of Hosts, I will take Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel My servant, declares the L-rd, I will set him as a signet ring, for in you I have chosen, declares the L-rd of Hosts.”
Zerubbabel, in the book of Zechariah, is a typology for Israel’s Messiah. This means that there is a Messianic expectation regarding the Messiah at Hanukkah. It would seem that Daniel 12:12 which states, “Blessed is the one who waits and arrives to 1,335 days” is referring to Messiah Yeshua, Who will establish His Kingdom after 1,335 days. The reason for stating, “Blessed is the one who waits and arrives to 1,335 days” relates to those who will enter into the Kingdom of G-d (Millennial Kingdom). It will be due to the wrath of G-d, which Yeshua will pour out, that there will be a great noise which will shake both the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. This noise will also destroy the kingdoms of the nations and replace them with the justice, righteousness and glory of the Kingdom of G-d.
With this understanding, I trust that this Hanukkah will be a most meaningful one.
Outreach to the Elderly in Ashqelon and Beersheva
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and prayer partners the outreach to the elderly in Ashqelon and Beersheva continues.
We had a setback regarding the Russian speaking pastors project we mentioned in the last newsletter. We were expecting a minister from Russia. After successfully completing the online visa application he was turned away at the airport in Israel. He was very disappointed and is seeking more information from the Israeli embassy in Moscow. We hope to overcome this obstacle and the minister concerned is still very determined to make a return visit.
But prayers were definitely answered as a friend of HLM put the administrator in touch with a Russian speaking pastor and his friend in Haifa, Pastor Abramov. He is himself not a young man but has a heart to serve the needy and elderly. He has successfully visited our wards in Ashqelon and Beersheva with his friend Leon sharing the Good News and offering pastoral support.
Due to his health conditions he is unable to make the journey regularly from Haifa but has started an outreach to the elderly in Haifa under the umbrella of HLM.
So, praise the LORD, the work is expanding.
Not only that but a young believing Israeli family has shown interest in serving our wards in Ashqelon.
Please pray for Artiom, Anna and their son Shlomo, that the LORD would direct and confirm their path in this decision and that he will bless them in their ministry.
HLM Partners in Kirgistan
Our partners in Kirgistan, Amir (not his real name), his wife and fellow believers in Yeshua continue to spread the light and love of Messiah Yeshua in their local area.
They continue to support and teach in their local orphanage and the food outreach to the elderly continues.
There is a great move of God currently that is bringing many Muslims to the knowledge of their salvation in Messiah Yeshua and Amir is an example of this move of God.
We include below the Amir’s testimony in the hope that its may both encourage you and move some to pray for this brother and his ministry. Kirgistan, as its name implies, is very much a Muslim majority country.
Amir’s Testimony
Shalom, dear family in Yeshua and anyone who hears me! I want to share what happened in my life and how I came to know Yeshua.
I was born in what is now the former Soviet Union republic of Kyrgyzstan and grew up in a loving and caring family with seven children and I was the youngest one.
Because of Communist ideology we were nominal Muslims then.
When I was graduating high school I became a violent young man trained in martial arts. For some time I had beaten and even robbed innocent men. My father who occupied a high position in local authority saved me many times from severe punishments. I even heard that some of the parents of my victims cursed me.
I can’t tell the exact reason why, but adversities started happening in my life quite often. I was in car accidents about six times, I fell off a galloping horse. I was beaten by another violent man. I think only God’s mercy saved me from death at these times.
At the time I felt very unhappy and was afraid that maybe God is very angry with me. So I started going to mosque and learning Islamic teaching. Some radical missionaries from Pakistan tried to take me to their country and turn me into soldier of Allah, jihadist fighter. Sometimes I dreamed of killing non-Muslims.
But before they tried to take me to Pakistan I met young people who believed in Yeshua who organised meetings for unbelievers. When I heard biblical verses about Gods love and forgiveness in Yeshua – astonishment and hope filled my heart.
I asked questions and they gave me simple but powerful comprehensive answers. The biblical words were like pure water for my thirsty soul and was exited to drink of it.
I went to solitary place and started praying to Yeshua. Suddenly I felt His presence, it was 100 percent real. He was Super Strong, Super Pure, very Strict but loving at the same time. I was trembling and started confessing all my sins and asking for forgiveness. I told Him it is too difficult for me to deny Islam the religion of my fathers. He told me He is the Truth the Way and the Life, no one comes to the Father except by Him, no one can save me from final Punishment, except Him.
And if I don’t receive Him He won’t force me and will leave. But I cried out: No! Don’t leave me! Be my Only God and Saviour! I deny all my former gods and beliefs! Yeshua I choose You! I want to be with You forever, please!!! And I felt physically the heavenly waters fall down on me and through me body and soul.
I felt the greatest of all possible loves and joys and peaces in my poor heart! In response I fell in eternal love with Him.
From that day until now I have been trusting and following Him, trying to share Good News with different people and trying to do what I can for His blessed and eternal Kingdom. And of course I fell in love with Israel, the holy and chosen nation of God. Through this nation God sent us holy servants of God, the life giving Word of God, precious promises, and all things needed for true godliness, and the Most Precious Lord Yeshua.
Hallelujah!
HLM Partners in India
Pastor Chandra and his congregations continue to minister the light of Yeshua in their local areas. The regular food distribution to the poor and needy is continuing with the help of HLM.
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Wishing all friends and supporters a happy and meaningful Hanukkah.
Holy Land Ministries 