Examining the Evidence for Once Saved Always Saved Doctrine in John

 

One of the most pivotal tenets of Christianity is the doctrine of once saved, always saved. Growing up in the church, I routinely heard how once you repeat the said prayer or are baptized, you are forever sealed in the Kingdom. The concept is appealing, but is there any evidence found within scriptures that gives credence to this sentiment? The main set of verses I see being used to postulate this theology resides in John; thus, an examination of John 10:28-29 will be conducted, followed by a rebuttal with scriptural support. 

The Verse in Question 

“And I give them everlasting life, and they shall by no means ever perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29)

Those in favor of the once saved always saved doctrine (OSAS) offer this up as the integral sign that their theology is correct. In passing, it does seem to align with their beliefs; however, these two verses are predicated on verse 27. 

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

The condition for entering into everlasting life, which Yeshua the good Shepard leads us to, is entirely contingent on whether the sheep follow. If A (you follow Messiah), then B (you enter into everlasting life), this is called modus ponens in logic, and it is one of the methods used to determine if an argument is valid. Provided that B is conditional on A, it is only rational to conclude that if not A, then not B. Modus tollens could also be used to demonstrate that if you did not enter into eternal life, it’s because you did not follow Yeshua (See my selection on Torah related, to know what I believe that looks like). The syllogism would be constructed as such: If A then B, not B, therefore not A. 

My First Witness

The Torah states that a matter is settled on the testimony of two to three witnesses. My first witness is Yeshua, and he makes a compelling argument against OSAS when he likens himself to a vine. 

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. Every branch in Me that bears no fruit He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit He prunes, so that it bears more fruit. You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you. Stay in Me, and I stay in you. As the branch is unable to bear fruit of itself, unless it stays in the vine, so neither you, unless you stay in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who stays in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit. Because without Me you are able to do naught! If anyone does not stay in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up. And they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you stay in Me, and My Words stay in you, you shall ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. In this My Father is esteemed, that you bear much fruit, and you shall be My taught ones. As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Stay in My love. If you guard My commands, you shall stay in My love even as I have guarded My Father’s commands and stay in His love. These words I have spoken to you, so that My joy might be in you, and that your joy might be complete.” (John 15:1-11) 

Some may try to reason that the unbelievers are the branches that are removed, but this is not consistent with what Yeshua said. He states that he is the vine and that you, speaking of his disciples, are the branches. Therefore, the audience he is addressing, in regard to being branches attached to the Messiah, are those who follow him. Considering this perspective, we are left with the possibility that those who no longer stay in Messiah, by not keeping the commands, are rendered fruitless and hence are cut off and tossed into the fire. In keeping with this mentality, we look to where Yeshua mentions that those who endure until the end shall be saved.

“And you shall be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

“But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)

It could be argued that, given the context of the aforementioned verses, which are about the end times, this would not apply to Matthew 10:22, which is about Yeshua instructing his disciples (and by extension future ones) what will happen when they spread the message of the Messiah. Yeshua clearly asserts that those who remain in him, and do not deviate from the path but endure till the end, shall be saved. Matthew 24:13 is concerning end times, but we know from Matthew 10, where he uses the same language, that the congruent element is persisting through difficult times without abandoning the faith. Furthermore, John would submit that we are already at the last hour.

“Little children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that the anti-messiah is coming, even now many anti-messiahs have come. This is how we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18)

Finally, Yeshua uses verbiage in Revelation that is related to his remarks made in Matthew. 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I shall give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of Elohim.” (Revelations 2:7)

My Second Witness 

Paul, who follows suit with his terms, evokes the same sense of having to sustain in belief to inherit the promise. 

“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also shall deny us.” (2 Timothy 2:12) 

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the desire of Elohim, you receive the promise: “For yet a little while – He who is coming shall come and shall not delay.” “But the righteous shall live by belief, but if anyone draws back, my being has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to destruction, but of belief to the preservation of life.” (Hebrews 10:36-39)

The next series of scriptures from Paul, the last one from Luke, use “being” as in the process of. 

“For the word of the stake is indeed foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of Elohim.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

“But brothers, I make known to you the Good News, which I brought as Good News to you, which you also did receive, and in which you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold fast that word I brought as Good News to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

“Because we are to Elohim the fragrance of Messiah among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15)

“praising Elohim and having favor with all the people. And the Master added to the assembly those who were being saved, day by day.” (Acts 2:47)

My last quote from Paul is his warning that though we are grafted in, if we fail to continue in belief (Having the testimony of Yeshua and being obedient to Torah, Revelation 12:17), then we will be cut off. 

“You shall say then, “The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Good! By unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by belief. Do not be arrogant, but fear. For if Elohim did not spare the natural branches, He might not spare you either. See then the kindness and sharpness of Elohim: on those who fell sharpness, but toward you kindness, if you continue in his kindness, otherwise you also shall be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, shall be grafted in, for Elohim is able to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:19-23) 

My Third Witness 

Jude and his testimony are also one of caution, beseeching us not to be led astray by false teachings, but to remain in the belief or risk being destroyed just as our ancestors did when they left Egypt. 

“Beloved ones, making all haste to write to you concerning our common deliverance, I felt the necessity to write to you urging you to earnestly contend for the belief which was once for all delivered to the set-apart ones. For certain men have slipped in, whose judgment was written about long ago, wicked ones perverting the favor of our Elohim for indecency, and denying the only Master יהוה and our Master יהושע Messiah. But I intend to remind you, though you once knew this, that יהוה, having saved a people out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt), afterward destroyed those who did not believe.” (Jude 1:3-5)

My Final Witness

Peter, properly illustrating the disgustingness of leaving the Messiah to return to a life of sin.

“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Master and Saviour יהושע Messiah, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the set-apart command delivered unto them. For them the proverb has proved true, “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A washed sow returns to her rolling in the mud.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)

The purpose of this post was not to incite a sense of dread but a healthy dose of fear for those who had been swindled into believing a false doctrine, one that would have ended horribly. We must remain in the Messiah to bear fruit; this is not to say we will not stumble occasionally, but we must not make a practice of sinning. This is why it’s important to reprimand a fellow brother or sister in Messiah if they are caught in a sin, the Torah commands us to do such (Leviticus 19:17) and for good reason, sin leads to death and obedience leads to life (Deuteronomy 30:19, Matthew 19:17). I encourage you to test all things, including this, do not take my word for it but search out the matter for yourself. May the Ruach Hakodesh grant you peace and guide you into all truth. Shalom. 

“Brothers, if anyone among you goes astray from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the straying of his way shall save a life from death and cover a great number of sins.” (James 5:19-20) 

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The Torah Before Moses: An Examination of Scriptural Evidence

 

The argument has been put forth by many within Christianity and even those outside of the religion, such as Muslims and secularists, that the Torah was not given to the Hebrews until Mount Sinai. But do the scriptures support another narrative? I have reasoned that the Torah was given well before Moses, although perhaps not in written form. Using various verses found before the Mount Sinai event, I will present my case that the Father’s instructions have been an integral part of the believer’s way since the beginning. 

Number 1

“And יהוה Elohim commanded the man, saying, “Eat of every tree of the garden, but do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it you shall certainly die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

Although I have never seen this added in a list of Torah commands, given the strictest definition of Torah, which is the Father’s instructions, then this most certainly fits that classification. 

Number 2

“And it came to be, in the course of time, that Qayin (Cain) brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to יהוה. And Heḇel (Abel) also brought of the first-born of his flock and of their fat. And יהוה looked to Heḇel (Abel) and his offering, but He did not look to Qayin (Cain) and his offering. And Qayin (Cain) was very wroth, and his face fell. And יהוה said to Qayin (Abel), “Why is he wroth towards you? And why is your face fallen? Is it not if you do good, you are to be accepted? And if you do not do good, towards the door is a sin. He is lying and towards you is his desire, and you must rule over him.” (Genesis 4:3-7)

Cain and Abel present offerings to Elohim, but how did they know what was to be offered? When should they offer? We can read in the Torah that the firstborn of the flock belongs to YHWH, and so does the fat of sacrificed animals. We also learn that during the Mo’edim of First Fruits, 

“Bring the first of the first-fruits of your land into the House of יהוה your Elohim.” (Exodus 23:19) 

Genesis chapter 4 states that Cain brought his fruit of the ground, no mention of it being his first, and considering the Father’s reaction, it was not Cain’s first fruits. If the Torah had not yet been given, then how could Abel and Cain possibly know what to do for first fruits? The text seems to imply that, in some fashion, the Torah had been given. 

 Number 3

"And Qayin (Cain) told Heḇel (Abel) his brother. And it came to be when they were in the field, that Qayin (Cain) rose up against Heḇel (Abel) his brother and killed him. And יהוה said to Qayin (Cain), “Where is Heḇel (Abel) your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s guard?” And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. “And now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.” (Genesis 4:8-11) 

Cain being punished for killing his brother is another example of Cain breaking a commandment and being chastised for it. If the Torah had not yet been given, then there would be no sin to punish. 

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4) 

Number 4

“This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with Elohim.” (Genesis 6:9)

How could Noah be counted as righteous without having some sort of standard for living life according to YHWH?

“So that the Torah truly is set-apart, and the command set-apart, and righteous, and good.” (Romans 7:12) 

“For not the hearers of the Torah are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the doers of the Torah shall be declared right.” (Romans 2:13)

Furthermore, how could those people who died from the flood be properly judged for death if the Torah had not yet been established? 

“…for where there is no Torah there is no transgression.” (Romans 4:15) 

Number 5

“Of all the clean beasts take with you seven pairs, a male and his female; and of the beasts that are unclean two, a male and his female.” (Genesis 7:2)

Again, had the Torah not been created yet, then Noah would have no idea about clean and unclean animals. The list for clean and unclean animals can be found in Leviticus chapter 11. 

Number 6

“And Noaḥ built a slaughter-place to יהוה, and took of every clean beast and of every clean bird, and offered ascending offerings on the slaughter-place. And יהוה smelled a soothing fragrance, and יהוה said in His heart, “Never again shall I curse the ground because of man, although the inclination of man’s heart is evil from his youth, and never again strike all living creatures, as I have done, as long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:20-22)

After the flood and the water receded, Noah built a slaughter place to YHWH and sacrificed the clean animals; his offering was a soothing fragrance to the Most High. Noah could only possibly know this if he had been given instructions from YHWH, aka the Torah. The procedures for ascending offerings are found in Leviticus chapter 1. 

Number 7

“But do not eat flesh with its life, its blood.” (Genesis 9:4)

YHWH instructs Noah and his family not to eat the blood of animals, which is a part of the Torah.

“And any man of the house of Yisra’ĕl (Israel), or of the strangers who sojourn among you, who eats any blood, I shall set My face against that being who eats blood, and shall cut him off from among his people.” (Leviticus 17:10)

“Only, be strong not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, do not eat the life with the meat.” (Deuteronomy 12:23) 

Number 8

“But only your blood for your lives I require, from the hand of every beast I require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood is shed, for in the image of Elohim has He made man.” (Genesis 9:5-6)

The Father reestablishes that murder is a sin and prescribes death for anyone or any animal that caused the demise of the individual. Once again, this is a part of the Torah. 

“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall certainly be put to death.” (Exodus 21:12)

“And when an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall certainly be stoned, and its flesh is not eaten, and the owner of the ox is innocent.” (Exodus 21:28)

Even these two verses take place before Moses ascends Mount Sinai. 

Number 9

"And Ḥam, the father of Kena‛an, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. So Shĕm and Yapheth (Japheth) took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father, but their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and he knew what his younger son had done to him, and he said, “Cursed is Kena‛an, let him become a servant of servants to his brothers." (Genesis 9:22-25)

I’ve heard various explanations for why Ham was cursed by his father, but according to the Torah, it is a sin to look upon a parent’s nakedness, so perhaps that is why. At any rate, this is another example of the Torah being played out before Mount Sinai. 

“The nakedness of your father or the nakedness of your mother you do not uncover. She is your mother; you do not uncover her nakedness.” (Leviticus 18:7) 

Number 10

 “And יהוה appeared to Abram and said, “To your seed I give this land.” And he built there a slaughter-place to יהוה, who had appeared to him.” (Genesis 12:7)

Abram builds a slaughter place, we’ve covered Noah building one, so the same references apply.  

Number 11

“But the men of Seḏom (Sodom) were evil and sinned before יהוה, exceedingly so.” (Genesis 13:13)

Once again, how could the people of Sodom be judged as sinners if the Torah were not in existence? There would be no standard by which to exercise the basis for judgment. 

Number 12

“So Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamrĕ, which are in Ḥeḇron, and built a slaughter-place there to יהוה.” (Genesis 13:18)

Number 13

“For I have known him, so that he commands his children and his household after him, to guard the way of יהוה, to do righteousness and right-ruling, so that יהוה brings to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” (Genesis 18:19)

Here, YHWH is speaking about Abraham teaching the way of YHWH (Torah) to his children and household. 

Number 14

“Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Seḏom (Sodom), both old and young, all the people from every part, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, and let us ‘know’ them.” So, Lot went out to them through the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, “Please, my brothers, do not do evil!” (Genesis 19:4-7)

An example of homosexuality being claimed to be an evil (sinful) act before Mount Sinai. 

“And do not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)

Number 15

“And it came to be on the next day that the first-born said to the younger, “See, I lay with my father last night. Let us make him drink wine tonight as well, and you go in and lie with him, so that we keep the seed of our father.” So, they made their father drink wine that night as well. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she arose. Thus, both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father. And the first-born bore a son and called his name Mo’aḇ, he is the father of the Mo’aḇites to this day. And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi, he is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.” (Genesis 19:34-38)

Incest is defined as a sin within the Torah, 

“No one is to approach anyone of his own flesh to uncover his nakedness. I am יהוה.” (Leviticus 18:6)

Although Lot and his daughters are not punished at that moment, it is, however, quite telling that their offspring went on to become enemies of the Israelites. Meaning there were excluded from the Kingdom of Elohim, but praise the Father that He always provides a way for those willing to enter into the Kingdom, for example, Ruth was a Moabite until she made that citizenship change. 

Number 16

“And Abraham said concerning Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Aḇimeleḵ sovereign of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But Elohim came to Aḇimeleḵ in a dream by night, and said to him, “See, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” However, Aḇimeleḵ had not come near her, and he said, “יהוה, would You kill a righteous nation also? Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and in the innocence of my hands I have done this. And Elohim said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart, and so I kept you from sinning against Me. For this reason I did not let you touch her. And now, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and let him pray for you and you live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall certainly die, you and all that are yours.” (Genesis 20:2-7)

YHWH warns Abimelek not to have relations with Sarah because she is already Abraham’s wife. This whole situation warrants further investigation, but for now, I must press on and save it for another post. 

“You do not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)

Number 17

“because Aḇraham obeyed My voice and guarded My Charge: My commands, My laws, and My Torah.” (Genesis 26:5)

Case Closed 

Probably the most clear-cut proof that the Torah was indeed in existence before the Sinai event. With this, I believe there to be a good stopping point, although more examples are preceding Genesis 26:5 (perhaps I will do a part 2), but if you are truly anxious to discover more, you could also begin researching on your own. Which is the ideal state of mind, think about any skill or subject, to become an expert in it, one must dedicate much time to the craft or topic. I have found a mixture of learning from others and independent inquiry to be highly effective. I pray that the Ruach Hakodesh leads you into all truth, that you continue to test all things, and may abba YHWH keep you safe in these trying times. Shalom. 

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Showing Love for Elohim Through Torah Observance

 

How do followers of the Most High show their love for Elohim? We’ve all read and heard the verse where Yeshua quotes from the Torah that we are to love Elohim with all our being, heart, and mind. 

“Teacher, which is the great command in the Torah? And יהושע said to him, " ‘You shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:36-37)

“Hear, O Yisra’ĕl: יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one! “And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

How do we Show our Love?

Knowing we are to love Elohim is important, but you cannot properly love Him if you don’t know how. Despite what some may say, how we are to show love for Elohim is not subjective or relativistic. Mainstream Christianity (the term here is used to refer to those who follow the traditions of the Church rather than the Messiah) will say, and properly so, that to follow the commands is to show love. 

“If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.” (John 14:15)

But Christianity rejects the Torah and follows whatever commands the church deems still applicable; this is dispensationalism at its finest. Those stuck in “Churchianity” (mainstream lawless Christianity) will most likely say they only follow the two commands Yeshua gave, but as we’ve just gone over, Yeshua was only quoting the Torah and, as we read a few verses down, speaking the words the Father commanded him to speak. So, in essence, it’s as if the Father told us to keep His commands, which are found in the Torah. Furthermore, Yeshua is the walking, talking Torah. If that sounds bizarre to you, check out my post titled, “The Parable of the Ten Virgins.” Given this, then, we can dismiss dispensationalist teachings and recognize that, as believers of the Most High, we show our love through Torah observance. 

“He who possesses My commands and guards them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.” Yehudah – not the one from Qerioth – said to Him, “Master, what has come about that You are about to manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” יהושע answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he shall guard My Word. And My Father shall love him, and We shall come to him and make Our stay with him. “He who does not love Me does not guard My Words. And the Word which you hear is not Mine but of the Father Who sent Me." (John 14: 21-24)

“And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands. The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.” (1 John 2:3-6)

Many claim to know and love Elohim, but if they do not guard the Torah, then they are liars, and the truth, the Messiah, and the Torah are not in them. I know that may sound harsh, and perhaps you’re thinking of friends and family you know who proclaim to love Elohim, and maybe they sound genuine, but as John said, if they do not keep the Torah, then it is a farce. For many, it’s not even their fault; the church doctrine has led them astray, teaching them replacement theology and dispensationalism —a snare that is not easily overcome. I myself came out of that system. I know how confusing it can be at first, but after that, my eyes and heart were opened to hear and practice the whole Bible, including the Torah. John also states that the one guarding, meaning to protect and do the commands (Torah), is showing perfect love towards Elohim. A child who loves their parents will listen and obey the counsel they receive from them; this is self-evident as a child who does not love their parents will be disobedient and rebellious. The same applies to us, for we are children of Elohim.

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of Elohim!” (1 John 3:1)

Do you Love the Father?

Elohim gave us instructions, the Torah, on how to live life and how we should treat others. I, like King David and all the authors in the Bible, delight in the Torah and do so in loving obedience. My Father, YHWH, instructed me to wear Tzitzit, so I do, and I enjoy having them on. He told me not to serve idols, so I don’t. He told me not to listen to a false prophet, so I don’t. He told me not to inquire of spirits, so I don’t. He told me to reprove a neighbor who sins, so I do. I do all these and more because I love Elohim and I’m thankful beyond measure for his Son Yeshua, who not only died for my transgressions of the Torah but also showed me how to live a Torah observant life. I exemplify the very essence of love for Elohim and my fellow siblings in Yeshua when I keep the Torah.

“By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and guard His commands. For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy.” (1 John 5:2-3) 

If you are unfamiliar with the commands of Elohim, I am working on a series of posts right now titled, “Testing the 613.” Feel free to give them a read, so you too can learn how to love Elohim. Don’t fret or feel overwhelmed by the number of commands; take it slow and learn them a little at a time, as James instructed in Acts 15. It’s better to be a child who is learning and applying the instructions than to be one who is not. 

I hope this post and this website, in general, help you in your walk with Messiah, and it is my prayer that you continue to grow, to test all things, and that the Ruach Hakodesh leads you into all Truth. 

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The Story of Hanukkah: Tragedy, Bloodshed, and Hope

 

The story of Hanukkah is one filled with tragedy, bloodshed, and hope. Found in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, it details the persecution placed on the Hebrews by the Greeks, how they were killed for following Torah, how the temple was made unclean with swine blood, and how, in the end, the Maccabean rebellion drove out the Greeks. Many have connected Hanukkah with being a type and shadow of the great tribulation, and I must concur, for I, too, see the similarities. But before we get into the prophetic imagery, we must first cover what Hanukkah is and why some choose to celebrate it. For starters, we have biblical evidence that Master Yeshua celebrated this feast. 

“At that time the Ḥanukkah (dedication) came to be in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), and it was winter. And יהושע was walking in the Set-apart Place, in the porch of Shelomoh (Solomon).” (John 10:22-23)

Here we have Yeshua up at the temple during Hanukkah, which is where the celebration would have been held at that time. This is very important because Hanukkah is not a Mo’edim, an appointed time made by YHWH; it is a holiday established by the House of Judah after they rededicated the temple, following the Greek occupation. This shows that Elohim agrees with this holiday because when Yeshua was here, he partook in the celebration. 

The Biblical Menorah 

There is, however, one difference that I know of between Judaism Hanukkah, and Biblical Hanukkah. This being the style of the menorah, in Judaism, they use the nine-candleled one, but biblically speaking, it should only have seven. 

“And you shall make a lampstand of clean gold – the lampstand is made of beaten work…” (Exodus 25:31)

“And you shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall mount its lamps so that they give light in front of it.” (Exodus 25:37)

My understanding of how to do Hanukkah is that each of the seven lampstands or branches represents the seven Mo’edim. That is Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Weeks, Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. If you are unfamiliar with these, I wrote a post on them, titled “The Mo'edim”, feel free to check it out. Anyways, for eight nights or all on one day, you read the story of Hanukkah and the Mo’edim, how the appointed times were given in the Tanakh (Old Testament), and how Yeshua fulfilled them or how he will in the future. After each Mo’edim is read, you light a candle. This is how I was taught to do it, but it's not an appointed time, so there are no commandments on how we are to specifically celebrate Hanukkah. 119 ministries have a video on Hanukkah, and it would behoove you to check it out. 

The Events that Led to Hanukkah

Now, without further ado, let us begin the story.

“After Alexander the Macedonian, Philip’s son, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated Darius, king of the Persians and Medes, he became king in his place, having first ruled in Greece. He fought many battles, captured fortresses, and put the kings of the earth to death. He advanced to the ends of the earth, gathering plunder from many nations; the earth fell silent before him, and his heart became proud and arrogant. He collected a very strong army and won dominion over provinces, nations, and rulers, and they paid him tribute. But after all this he took to his bed, realizing that he was going to die. So he summoned his noblest officers, who had been brought up with him from his youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive. Alexander had reigned twelve years when he died. So his officers took over his kingdom, each in his own territory, and after his death they all put on crowns, and so did their sons after them for many years, multiplying evils on the earth. There sprang from these a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome. He became king in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.” (1 Maccabees 1:1-10)

Alexander the Great had conquered a vast amount of territory in a relatively short amount of time. When he died at the age of 33, his empire was split among his generals. These became known as the Hellenistic kingdoms. After some time, Antiochus arose and became King of the Hellenistic Syrian kingdom. 

“In those days there appeared in Israel transgressors of the Torah who seduced many, saying: “Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles all around us; since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.” The proposal was agreeable; some from among the people promptly went to the king, and he authorized them to introduce the ordinances of the Gentiles. Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem according to the Gentile custom. They disguised their circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing.” (1 Maccabees 1:11-15)

Here we see a great falling away, the followers of Elohim forsaking the Torah and aligning themselves with gentile customs. 

“After Antiochus had defeated Egypt in the one hundred and forty-third year, he returned and went up against Israel and against Jerusalem with a strong force. He insolently entered the sanctuary and took away the golden altar, the menorah for the light with all its utensils, the offering table, the cups and bowls, the golden censers, and the curtain. The cornices and the golden ornament on the front of the temple—he stripped it all off. And he took away the silver and gold and the precious vessels; he also took all the hidden treasures he could find. Taking all this, he went back to his own country. He shed much blood and spoke with great arrogance. And there was great mourning throughout all Israel.” (1 Maccabees 1:20-25)

Antiochus, upon arriving in Jerusalem, ransacks the Temple, taking the gold, silver, and other valuable treasures, while at the same time spilling the blood of the Hebrews. 

“Two years later, the king sent the Mysian commander to the cities of Judah, and he came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He spoke to them deceitfully in peaceful terms, and they believed him. Then he attacked the city suddenly, in a great onslaught, and destroyed many of the people in Israel. He plundered the city and set fire to it, demolished its houses and its surrounding walls. And they took captive the women and children, and seized the animals. Then they built up the City of David with a high, strong wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel. There they installed a sinful race, transgressors of the Torah, who fortified themselves inside it. They stored up weapons and provisions, depositing there the plunder they had collected from Jerusalem, and they became a great snare. The citadel became an ambush against the sanctuary, and a wicked adversary to Israel at all times. They shed innocent blood around the sanctuary; they defiled the sanctuary. Because of them the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled away, she became the abode of strangers. She became a stranger to her own offspring, and her children forsook her. Her sanctuary became desolate as a wilderness; her feasts were turned into mourning, Her sabbaths to shame, her honor to contempt. As her glory had been, so great was her dishonor: her exaltation was turned into mourning.” (1 Maccabees 1:29-40)

Two years after stealing the precious metals from the temple, the Greeks return, tricking the Hebrews into believing they came in peace, only to multiply their malicious deeds with more killings, defiling the sanctuary and Elohim’s Torah. Sadly, this was just the beginning of sorrow. 

“Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, and abandon their particular customs. All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king, and many Israelites delighted in his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. The king sent letters by messenger to Jerusalem and to the cities of Judah, ordering them to follow customs foreign to their land; to prohibit burnt offerings, sacrifices, and libations in the sanctuary, to profane the sabbaths and feast days, to desecrate the sanctuary and the sacred ministers, to build pagan altars and temples and shrines, to sacrifice swine and unclean animals, to leave their sons uncircumcised, and to defile themselves with every kind of impurity and abomination; so that they might forget the Torah and change all its ordinances. Whoever refused to act according to the command of the king was to be put to death. In words such as these he wrote to his whole kingdom. He appointed inspectors over all the people, and he ordered the cities of Judah to offer sacrifices, each city in turn. Many of the people, those who abandoned the Torah, joined them and committed evil in the land. They drove Israel into hiding, wherever places of refuge could be found. On the fifteenth day of the month Kislev, in the year one hundred and forty-five, the king erected the desolating abomination upon the altar of burnt offerings, and in the surrounding cities of Judah they built pagan altars. They also burned incense at the doors of houses and in the streets. Any scrolls of the Torah that they found they tore up and burned. Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant, and whoever observed the Torah, was condemned to death by royal decree. So, they used their power against Israel, against those who were caught, each month, in the cities. On the twenty-fifth day of each month they sacrificed on the pagan altar that was over the altar of burnt offerings. In keeping with the decree, they put to death women who had their children circumcised, and they hung their babies from their necks; their families also and those who had circumcised them were killed. But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. And very great wrath came upon Israel.” (1 Maccabees 1: 41-64) 

Antiochus sets forth the decree that all those under his rule should act as one, following the Greek religion. Copies of the Torah were destroyed, and those who had the Torah or obeyed it were put to death. There is a lot I’m not covering this time, but will during future Hanukkahs, such as the similarities between this time period and the great tribulation. There’s just so much to cover, and that’s one of the many great things about Hanukkah. 

“The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to make them sacrifice. Many of Israel joined them, but Mattathias and his sons drew together. Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias: “You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kindred. Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command, as all the Gentiles and Judeans and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends, and you and your sons shall be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.” But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: “Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that they forsake the religion of their ancestors and consent to the king’s orders, yet I and my sons and my kindred will keep to the covenant of our ancestors. Heaven forbid that we should forsake the Torah and the ordinances. We will not obey the words of the king by departing from our belief in the slightest degree.” As he finished saying these words, a certain Judean came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order. When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved, and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar. At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus, he showed his zeal for the Torah of Elohim, just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu. Then Mattathias cried out in the city, “Let everyone who is zealous for the Torah and who stands by the covenant follow me!” Then he and his sons fled to the mountains, leaving behind in the city all their possessions. At that time many who sought righteousness and justice went out into the wilderness to settle there, they and their children, their wives and their animals, because misfortunes pressed so hard on them.” (1 Maccabees 2:15-30) 

The first act of rebellion comes at the hand of Mattathias, practically declaring war on the king by killing his messenger. They gather those who are still Torah observant and flee to the mountains, from there they conduct guerrilla warfare, while also trying to remain hidden from the Greek army. 

“It was reported to the officers and soldiers of the king who were in the City of David, in Jerusalem, that those who had flouted the king’s order had gone out to secret refuges in the wilderness. Many hurried out after them, and having caught up with them, camped opposite and prepared to attack them on the sabbath. The pursuers said to them, “Enough of this! Come out and obey the king’s command, and you will live.” But they replied, “We will not come out, nor will we obey the king’s command to profane the sabbath.” Then the enemy attacked them at once. But they did not retaliate; they neither threw stones, nor blocked up their secret refuges. They said, “Let us all die in innocence; heaven and earth are our witnesses that you destroy us unjustly.” So, the officers and soldiers attacked them on the sabbath, and they died with their wives, their children and their animals, to the number of a thousand persons. When Mattathias and his friends heard of it, they mourned deeply for them. They said to one another, “If we all do as our kindred have done, and do not fight against the Gentiles for our lives and our Torah, they will soon destroy us from the earth.” So, on that day they came to this decision: “Let us fight against anyone who attacks us on the sabbath, so that we may not all die as our kindred died in their secret refuges.” Then they were joined by a group of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, all of them devoted to the Torah. And all those who were fleeing from the persecutions joined them and supported them. They gathered an army and struck down sinners in their wrath and the lawless in their anger, and the survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety. Mattathias and his friends went about and tore down the pagan altars; they also forcibly circumcised any uncircumcised boys whom they found in the territory of Israel. They put to flight the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hands. They saved the Torah from the hands of the Gentiles and of the kings and did not let the sinner triumph.” (1 Maccabees 2:31-48)

Some of those who fled to the mountains were found and given the chance to live if they obeyed the king, but they refused and chose to die without fighting back. This caused much heartache to Mattathias, and he and his companions decided that they should fight against the Greeks, even on the Sabbath. This would not be breaking the Sabbath, because they fought to liberate Judah from the tyrannical Greeks, which is good. As the Messiah said, it is not wrong to do good on the Sabbath. Ultimately, Mattathias led a successful campaign against the Greeks and drove them out of Jerusalem.

The Festival of Hanukkah

“Then Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it. So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. They found the sanctuary desolate, the altar desecrated, the gates burnt, weeds growing in the courts as in a thicket or on some mountain, and the priests’ chambers demolished. Then they tore their garments and made great lamentation; they sprinkled their heads with ashes and prostrated themselves. And when the signal was given with the shofar (a type of trumpet created from a ram’s horn), they cried out to Heaven. Judas appointed men to attack those in the citadel, while he purified the sanctuary. He chose blameless priests, devoted to the Torah; these purified the sanctuary and carried away the stones of the defilement to an unclean place. They considered what ought to be done with the altar for burnt offerings that had been desecrated. They decided it best to tear it down, lest it be a lasting shame to them that the Gentiles had defiled it; so they tore down the altar. They stored the stones in a suitable place on the temple mount, until the coming of a prophet who could determine what to do with them. Then they took uncut stones, according to the Torah, and built a new altar like the former one. They also repaired the sanctuary and the interior of the temple and consecrated the courts. They made new sacred vessels and brought the menorah, the altar of incense, and the table into the temple. Then they burned incense on the altar and lighted the lamps on the menorah, and these illuminated the temple. They also put loaves on the table and hung up the curtains. Thus they finished all the work they had undertaken. They rose early on the morning of the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Kislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, and offered sacrifice according to the Torah on the new altar for burnt offerings that they had made. On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had desecrated it, on that very day it was rededicated with songs, harps, lyres, and cymbals. All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised the Elohim of Heaven, who had given them success. For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of deliverance and praise.” (1 Maccabees 4:36-56)

“Then Judas and his brothers and the entire assembly of Israel decreed that every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Kislev, the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary.” (1 Maccabees 4:59)

The time of Hanukkah is one of celebration but also accompanied by the realism of our ancestors who suffered for keeping Torah. From 1 Maccabees we get an overview of the story of Hanukkah, 2 Maccabees we receive a more on-the-ground perspective, and let me tell you it is quite emotional. I hope everyone has a blessed Hanukkah celebration, continues to test all things, and that the Ruach Hakodesh leads you into all truth. 

P.S.

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The Dark Origins of Halloween: From Samhain to Trick-or-Treat

 

For many, it will come as no surprise that Halloween has its origins in pagan occult practices, yet churches around the world will still be hosting some sort of festivities on that day. They will have various games, trick-or-treating segments, and other Halloween-themed activities. But what are the origins behind Halloween and those deeds done on that day? 

Christianizing Pagan Ways and Days  

As the British Isles were being converted to Catholicism in the early 600s, Pope Gregory the 1st wrote a letter to Abbot Mellitus detailing what the strategy should be to gain “converts”. 

“In 601 A.D. Pope Gregory the First… issued a now famous edict to his missionaries concerning the native beliefs and customs of the peoples he hoped to convert. Rather than try to obliterate native peoples' customs and beliefs, the pope instructed his missionaries to use them: if a group of people worshipped a tree, rather than cut it down, he advised them to consecrate it to Christ and allow its continued worship.” (Jack Santino. Halloween in America: Contemporary Customs and Performances, p.7)

Immediately, a red flag should pop up; this is what is called syncretism, and the church made it a custom to adopt pagan ways of worship and to Christianize them. The Bible, however, does not allow for such actions; we are not to worship Elohim in the same manner as the Gentiles or pagans do their gods.

“Guard yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire about their mighty ones, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their mighty ones? And let me do so too.’ “Do not do so to יהוה your Elohim, for every abomination which יהוה hates they have done to their mighty ones, for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their mighty ones.” (Deuteronomy 12:30-31) 

The Samhain and Halloween Connection 

As the Catholic Church was moving through Britain, one of the people groups they would have come across were druids. Druids were a learned class among the Celts who held roles as priests, judges, and teachers. One of their festivals was called Samhain, which begins the evening of October 31, and it is not a mere coincidence that the two holidays fall on the same day. It is from this tradition that we get Halloween, as noted, Pope Georgy instructed his missionaries not to destroy the pagan customs but to “Christianize” them. 

“This feast day was meant to substitute for Samhain, to draw the devotion of the Celtic peoples, and, finally, to replace it forever. That did not happen… All Saints Day, otherwise known as All Hallows (hallowed means sanctified or holy), continued the ancient Celtic traditions.” (University of Northern Iowa on Samhain)

Samhain, which means “End of Summer”, was one of the most important festivals for the Celtic people. During this time, it was (is) believed that the supernatural veil was at its thinnest, giving rise to many supernatural occurrences, such as the gods playing tricks on the people. One of the more significant events during Samhain was the sacrifice of humans. 

“First-born sacrifices are mentioned in a poem in the Dindshenchas, which records that children were sacrificed each Samhain…” (Rogers, Nicholas. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night, p. 17)

“Halloween. That was the eve of Samhain… firstborn children were sacrificed…Samhain eve was a night of dread and danger.” (National Geographic, May 1977, pp. 625-626)

Believe it or not, but human sacrifice still occurs to this day, and maybe even more so on Halloween night. It may also surprise you to know that many of the traditional activities of Halloween can be traced back to Samhain, such as the use of jack-o’-lanterns, dressing up, bobbing for apples, and trick-or-treating.

Jack-o’-lanterns

“It is believed that faces, rather than other images or symbols, were originally carved onto the pumpkin because they gave the jack-o’-lantern the look of a head. The Celts of ancient times believed that the head was the most sacred part of the human body, for it housed a person’s immortal soul.” (Dunwich, Gerina. The Pagan Book of Halloween, p. 32)

“Trophy, charm, or ornament, the human head figured prominently in Celtic life. Warriors hung enemy heads on their houses as a show of prowess, and Druids, believing that the head harbored the soul, placed skulls in sanctuaries to ward of evil.” (National Geographic, May 1977, p. 603)

“… the jack-o’-lantern is generally presented in its traditional form as a festive euphemism for death’s-head, the triangular nose hole and rictus grin being the “dead” giveaways.” (Skal, David J. Death Makes a Holiday: The Cultural History of Halloween, p. 38)

“Carved and illuminated by a candle, they are symbolic of death and the spirit world.” (Thompson, Sue Ellen. Holiday symbols and customs, p. 256)

Dressing up in Costume

“There may also have been precedents for trick-or-treating and Halloween costumes in Samhain celebrations. James (1961) reports that in Gallic celebrations of Samhain, the skins of slaughtered animals were worn as a disguise to invoke the spirits of sacred animals and that this masquerade feature continues to survive in the Scottish Highlands.” (Russell W. Belk, University of Utah. Halloween: an Evolving American Consumption Ritual) 

“… mischievous spirits could play tricks on the living- so it was advantageous to “hide” from them by wearing costumes. Masks and costumes were worn to either scare away the ghosts or to keep from being recognized by them.” (John Ankerberg, John Weldon, Dillon Burroughs. The Facts on Halloween, p. 16)

Trick-or-Treat

I found several websites and articles that stated Trick-or-Treat started when Druids would visit houses and ask the man of the house if he was going to provide a sacrifice or not. If the man did offer up someone from his house, then the Druids would place a hollowed-out pumpkin filled with human fat and a candle. This was meant to let other Druids know that this house has already given a sacrifice. If the man refused to give up someone, then strange markings were written on his door in blood; this was done to cause the spirits to afflict the family. The reason I do not have a quote for this is that I could not find this information in a book or a scholarly article, so take it with a grain of salt. 

Bobbing for Apples

“Apples were the sacred fruit of the goddess Pomona, and many games of divination involving apples entered the Samhain customs through her influence. One of the most popular involved bobbing for apples.” (Common Boundary, Sep./Oct. 1993, p. 30)

Do not Do as they Do

Now, many may say, “Well, when I celebrate Halloween, it’s just for fun and I’m not thinking of other gods and spirits.” This is a common objection from people, but I propose that what if engaging in these activities on that night causes spirits or demons to attach themselves to you? Even more, are we not told to be a set-apart people and not to follow the ways of the nations?

“You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.” (Leviticus 18:3)

“When you come into the land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you, do not learn to do according to the abominations of those nations.” (Deuteronomy 18:9)

“Thus said יהוה, “Do not learn the way of the nations…” (Jeremiah 10:2)

“So this I say, and witness in the Master, that you should no longer walk as the nations walk, in the futility of their mind,” (Ephesians 4:17)

There are Holy days that the Father has given us to observe, and they are beyond measure in terms of value and meaning compared to these holidays celebrated by the nations. If you have not read my post titled “The Mo’edim” and my other articles in the pagan holiday series I highly recommend giving them a read. Continue to test all things and may the Ruach Hakodesh lead you into all truth. 

P.S.

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