With Chanukah 2023 (5784) in the books I was thinking about the New Year. For the Maccabees the "religious new year" started on the 1st of Nisan, the Passover month. That is actually the beginning of the ecclesiastical New Year.
Looking back to look ahead reminds me of the prophet Daniel, especially around "the holidays."
The biblical prophet Daniel described a vision of future historical events. Daniel foresaw the fall of Persia and the rise of Greece. That's the history of Alexander the Great.
Daniel also foresaw the breakup of Greece into four kingdoms that occurred when Alexander died and his two sons were murdered. He even singled out one of the kingdoms which was lead by Antiochus Epiphanes IV. Daniel also foresaw his fall.
Then came Chanukah, and it was winter in Jerusalem. The Maccabees defeated Antiochus. That victory is the basis for Chanukah, which always falls on the 25th of Kislev, around December, when it is winter.
Let's read how Daniel described it...
Daniel 8:15-22 TLV
“Now it happened that while I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, behold, standing before me was one with the appearance of a man. Then I heard a human voice coming from between the banks of the Ulai, calling out saying, ‘Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.’ “He came near to where I was standing, and as he approached I was terrified and fell on my face. But he said to me, ‘Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end.’ “While he was speaking to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and stood me up, and said: ‘Behold, I am going to inform you about what will happen later in the time of wrath, for the vision pertains to the appointed time of the end. The ram that you saw with the two horns stands for the kings of Media and Persia. The buck, the male goat, is the king of Greece; and the large horn between his eyes is the first king. The four horns that replaced the one that was broken represent four kingdoms that will arise from this nation, though not with its power.
167 bce historically, after the Maccabees defeated Antiochus, Jews took back the Temple and freed the Land. In order to deter the Greeks from coming back and ensure their safety, Judaea put it's faith in Rome and made the first ever treaty with the Roman Republic.
After the fall of Antiochus, Judaea started a very prosperous period known as the Hasmonean dynasty. This was the ruling dynasty of Judea and surrounding regions during the Hellenistic times of the Second Temple period, from circa 140 bce to 37 bce.
Rome was strengthened too from this relationship with Judaea. For a time Israel was blessed and the Roman Republic benefited from Judaea! We saw the rise of the Roman Empire which began in 27 bce.
Just before the time of Rome's expansion from a Republic to the Roman Empire, Rome appointed "Herod the Great" as king of Judaea. Herod's rein went from ~ 37- 4 bce. Herod went on a building spree, including a large expansion of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was raised, enlarged, and faced with white stone. It was truly a sight!! He also built huge palaces, Masada* and Caesarea MaMaritima.
King Herod and Israel were under the thumb of the new and more powerful Roman Emperor and all that brought. Daniel foresaw the end of Antiochus and rise of Rome and the Roman Emperor. Let's read how Daniel described it...
Daniel 8:23-25
“‘Now toward the end of their reign, when the measure of transgressions is completed, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. His power will be mighty, but it will not be by his strength alone. He will cause extraordinary devastation, and succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy both the powerful and the holy people. By his cunning he will cause deceit to prosper under his hand and he will consider himself superior. He will destroy many, taking them unaware. He will even stand up against the Prince of princes, yet he will be broken, but not by human hands.
Daniel was very disturbed by his vision. Daniel put it this way...
Daniel 8.26-27
“Now the vision of the evenings and mornings that has been told to you is true, but seal up the vision for it concerns many days from now.’ “Then I, Daniel, was stricken and languished for days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business, but I was astounded at the vision and no one could explain it."
Here's an interesting fact about Chanukah that is actually recorded in the Books of the Maccabees. After the Maccabees' great victory, when the Jews dedicated (Chanukah) the temple and annointed the altar with the Shemen Hamashiach (anointing oil for Messiah), Judah Maccabee declared to all the land to "remember the 13th of the month of Adar and Mordecai Day." That is a direct reference to the Fast of Esther and Purim! Low & behold, that is actually the next big Jewish holiday after Chanukah. Purim begins on the evening of March 23rd in 2024.
Now you now what comes after Chanukah! Purim is another "holiday" with an evil man who tried to wipe out the Jews. Haman was a figure like Antiochus. Like in the story of Chanukah, the Jews turn the tables on him. Purim follows Chanukah on the Jewish calendar, but what follows in Daniel's prophecy is a more evil and powerful figure.
The times described in Daniel 11 are "end-times" that even Daniel didn't understand.
Daniel 12:3-4
'Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those who turn many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will run back and forth and knowledge will increase.’
Do you understand what Daniel is saying?!
Daniel 12:8-10
Now I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, ‘My Lord, what will be the outcome of these things?’ Then he said: “Go your way, Daniel. For the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.
For times such as these, keep in mind that the Lord is our Shepherd the Shepherd knows his Sheep! We can take comfort in Psalms...
Psalms 23:
A psalm of David. ADONAI is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of ADONAI forever.
HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Epilogue:
I've been blogging for 12+ years and have written nearly 450 posts. Over that times I have written several about Chanukah. Here are links to most of them:
It Takes a Hammer to Drive a Nail
To my Christian friends, I encourage you to read John 10. For a more in depth explanation there are many pastors who teach about Daniel and Antiochus. Here is an example:
