Last year I posted an article about Christmas named Christmas in Light of Hanukkah that told a little of the history behind Christmas. In this article, I wrote –

“As we approach Christmas, it is good to look at Christmas in prophecy. There is a story in biblical history that has much to tell us about the times of Christmas we are approaching, it is called Hanukkah. But, before we do, we should remember what Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” – Eccl. 1:9

History does repeat itself. especially prophetic history. Jesus came once to initiate the Church but, He is coming a second time to set the world straight and to establish His kingdom on earth. God’s word states that ‘in the mouth of two or three witnesses a thing is established’ and I have noticed that many biblical prophecies often have a secondary and even tertiary fulfillment. So, with that introduction I will begin the story of Hanukkah.”

Today, we have much of the same conditions the Jews had in the time of Hanukkah: secular forces are striping our youth of their Biblical heritage. God’s laws are being outlawed from public display and the educational system puts our children through an indoctrination system designed to remove the belief in Biblical creation, even denying the sexual orientation they were born with. It is attempting to even rewrite history in order to remove our founding father’s influence and their belief in the Bible precepts. At the same time foreign political systems are being introduced to the youth; socialism which is the foundation of communism, never mind that it is a failed philosophy destroying freedom in every country where it is tried. Then there follows the belief in Islam which is a direct repudiation of Biblical belief, as well as other foreign gods also. The end result of all these foreign philosophies is loss of freedom and slavery so their message must be coated with the promise of materialism. However, a critical examination of those promoting these foreign philosophies will show that the only ones prospering are the leaders themselves.

As it was in the days of historical Hanukkah, many of the religious leaders have succumbed to this Antichrist message as well and are willing to compromise their beliefs to accommodate it. The result is there is little difference between the religious and the world. This ‘lukewarm’ attitude further drives the youth away from their Biblical foundations as they can easily see the hypocrisy.

The final attack is immorality. old Biblical mores are looked on with disdain; fornication and adultery are the new norms. Divorce is no longer an action to be ashamed of and in fact laws are passed to promote it. The sad result is however, the breakdown of the family. Too late society learns that family is the building block of society. Children grow up without mother or father further weakening their resistance to the Antichrist philosophies assailing them. The final result will be the Antichrist setting himself up as god demanding total allegiance.

 As we approach Christmas this year, it is good to remember how Jesus, the Son of God, came. First, God made sure He came to loving parents, parents who believed in the Bible and all it stood for. Next, He was born in a manger, a humble place – all He needed was loving parents, who loved each other. His birth was not the center of commercial endeavor and not the nexus of political power – in fact, God had to hide Him from that. From His birth, He directed man’s attention to His heavenly Father – the shepherds heard the angels singing and came to worship him. The wise men saw his announcement in the heavens and came to worship him. Faithful watchers Simeon and Anna were waiting to praise God and bless Him at His dedication.

Now Jesus is coming again a second time to gather His elect. Wise men are watching for the heavenly signs that will forecast His coming, humble men and women will be alerted by angels as they faithfully do their work, and those servants who ‘love His appearing’ will not be disappointed. But, first will come Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. It is time for family – family as God ordained it. Father and mother dedicated to serving God, who are raising their children according to Biblical standards.

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Tim. 4:8

May your Christmas be more of a Passover celebration this year, where the children go to the door to invite Elijah into the family, than a commercial extravaganza dedicated to giving and receiving gifts. May it truly be a celebration of life.