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Bishop Demetrics and Pastor Pauline Roscoe
The update is an image of Cernunnos, the deer god of the Ephesians.
For centuries the two feasts of CHANUKAH vs. Saturnalia have shared the winter month of December. However, CHANUKAH appears at different dates by the Hebraic calendar. While CHANUKAH is not under the Levitical code of law, its impact is more significant than some of the Torah portions.
CHANUKAH vs SATURNALIA
Editor; Val Gunter
WHAT IS HANUKKAH?
First of all, CHANUKAH or HANUKKAH is not a Jewish Law; the Hebrew word means “to dedicate.” On the other hand, Saturnalia is the worship of the demigods: being with partial or lesser divine status, such as a minor deity, the offspring of a god and a mortal, or a mortal raised to divine ranks, like Saturn. Sometimes, Christians are embarrassed over the accusation that Saturnalia’s feast is said to be the Christmas celebration’s predecessor. However, it is believed that Yeshua’s comment, “I am the light of the world,” was an explanation Jesus gave of Himself while attending the CHANUKAH feast in John 8:12. (NLT)
The Powerful Spirit of the Tree Decorators and Their Pagan Religion
In this historic moment, the path of Jewish worship of ADONIA, God of Israel, refines itself. The path of Gentiles continued following the powerful and influential forest spirits.
Our Jewish Messiah wouldn’t ever attend a feast featuring a Tree with decorations, imps, flying deer, and forest greenery only found involved with casting communal spells, and items related to Witchcraft.
Jeremiah 3:6
(AMP)
6 Moreover, the Lord said to me [Jeremiah] in the days of Josiah the king [of Judah], Have you seen what that faithless and backsliding Israel has done—how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree and there played the harlot?
Jeremiah 10:1-5
(AMP)
1 HEAR THE word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel.
2 Thus says the Lord: Learn not the way of the [heathen] nations and be not dismayed at the signs of the heavens, though they are dismayed at them,
3 For the customs and ordinances of the peoples are false, empty, and futile; it is but a tree which one cuts out of the forest [to make for himself a god], the work of the hands of the craftsman with the ax or other tool.
Jeremiah 10:4
4 They deck [the idol] with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers so it will not fall apart or move around. The act of decorating a tree elevates the tree to godlike status and creates an atmosphere of subduction and captivated enchantment.
Definition of imp
Santa’s Little Helpers
An imp is a European mythological being similar to a fairy or demon, frequently described in folklore and superstition. The word may perhaps derive from the term Impe, used to denote a young grafted tree. Imps are often described as mischievous more than seriously threatening, and as lesser beings than more important supernatural beings.
Deuteronomy 7:25-26
(AMP)
25 The graven images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God.
26 Neither shall you bring an abomination (an idol) into your house, lest you become an accursed thing like it; but you shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.
Deuteronomy 12:1-3 (AMP)
1 THESE ARE the statutes and ordinances which you shall be watchful to do in the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you to possess all the days you live on the earth.
2 You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations you dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains and the hills and under every green tree.
3 You shall break down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire; you shall hew down the graven images of their gods and destroy their name out of that place.
Jesus, the Light of the World
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
13 The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me.
15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone.
16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me.
17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.
18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”
19 “Where is your father?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”
The event spurred on the miracle that displayed ADONAI’S faithfulness toward unfaithful Israel. ADONAI’S move toward Israel’s captivity is one of history’s most immeasurable acts of grace. To the Jews, this in the Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the Second Temple’s rededication in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It is also known as the Festival of Lights.
Hanukkah (also spelled “Chanukah”) is an eight-day winter “festival of lights,” which begins each year on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.
The Hebrew verb “חנך”, meaning “to dedicate”. On Hanukkah, the Maccabean Jews regained control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple. Many homiletical explanations have been given for the name:
In an eight-day celebration, the “Maccabees” (as the rebels came to be known) cleansed and rededicated the Temple.
According to the Talmud, there was only enough consecrated oil to re-light the candelabra for one day, yet, miraculously, it remained lit for eight days.
WHEN IS HANUKKAH?
In 2020, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 10th, and continues through Friday, December 18th. The first candle is lit on the Chanukiah (menorah) on this date.
Note: Hanukkah begins and ends at sundown on the dates listed above. See Sunrise and Sunset Times for your area.
THE WORSHIP OF GREEK GODS
Submitted by Silvia Wilson on December 20, 2011 – 9:30am
The Syrians worshipped the Greek gods because their King was a descendant of one of Alexander’s generals, so the Syrians were colonized by the Greeks. In Jesus’ day, under the Roman occupation, the miracle of the oil was the public celebration, as a remembrance of a successful insurrection wouldn’t have gone over too well with the Romans.
Acts 19:24 (AMP)
24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of [the goddess] Artemis[Diana], brought no small income to his craftsmen.
Matthew 2:1-6 (CWSB)
The Visit of the Magi
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the King had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
As with most Kings, when they are born, the people might say, “long live the King.” But with Yeshua, the Christ Child, Wise Men brought Him prophetic gifts.
Before someone looks at the Messiah’s gifts and says that He was rich, these gifts were a prophetic voice. The gold speaks to the purity of His origins.
Myrrh and Frankincense are embalming incense because you will die in your prime. Last of all, the prophets said your mother would give birth in Bethlehem. The city which is named, “House of Bread.” You are the bread who is broken into many pieces.
(CWSB Dictionary)
Βηθλεέμ Bēthleém;
Matthew 2:11 (CWSB)
22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
(CWSB Dictionary) φῶς
STRONG’S NUMBER:g5457
THE GLORIOUS LIGHT
(D) Of the dazzling light, splendor or glory which surrounds the throne of God in which He dwells (1 Tim. 6:16; Rev. 21:24 [cf. Ps. 104:2; Is. 60:1, 19, 20]). Hence, also as surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ in His appearances after His ascension (Acts 9:3, 5; 22:6, 9, 11; 26:13); of angels (Acts 12:7; 2 Cor. 11:14); of glorified saints (Col. 1:12).
(II) Metonymically, a light, a luminous body.
The same working powers that led to the creation has outdone itself. For inside Mary’s body is the author and maker of the Cosmos.
Luke 1:41-45
(CWSB)
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
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