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The Amazing Story of Hanukkah And Miracle Of The Endless Oil

We begin the story of Hanukkah during the reign of the Greek king, Alexander the Great. Alexander conquered Syria, Egypt and the Land of Israel and annexed them into his kingdom. He was a benevolent king who allowed the people in all of his lands to continue to observe their own religious beliefs and customs.

Published

11 years ago

December 7, 2015

Geoffrey Grider

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They began in the Temple, clearing it of all pagan idols and building a new altar. The golden Menorah has been stolen by the Syrians and Greeks so the Maccabees made a new one from what they could find.

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 (KJV)

In the beginning. We begin the story of Hanukkah during the reign of the Greek king, Alexander the Great. Alexander conquered Syria, Egypt and the Land of Israel and annexed them into his kingdom. He was a benevolent king who allowed the people in all of his lands to continue to observe their own religious beliefs and customs. Nevertheless, during this time of quiet, many Jews chose to assimilate into Greek culture. This group was termed Hellenistic Jews.

Alexander’s empire divided

When Alexander the Great died, his Empire was divided amongst his generals. The Land of Israel has given to Seleucus. For over 100 years the Jews were afforded much of the same privileges and rights as other citizens of the Empire. However, Antiochus III, the great-greatgrandson of Seleucus, was forced to fight a costly war against the Romans. As a result the Jewish people fell out of favor with Antiochus III and thus the beginning of the end of equality for the Jews in the Syrian-Greek Empire.

In 174 BCE Antiochus III’s son, Antiochus IV, began his reign over the Empire. He was a harsh and cruel king; a tyrant of reckless nature and contemptuous of religions and customs that were not his own.

Antiochus IV – the cruel king

Antiochus IV wanted to unite his kingdom under his religion, worship of the Greek idol Zeus. Within the Empire he stifled all Jewish Law. He removed the righteous High Priest Yochanan from the Temple in Jerusalem. Yochanan was replaced with his brother Joshua – a Hellenistic Jew who called himself by the Greek name Jason. Jason used his position as High Priest to infect the priesthood and the Jewish people with the traditions and religion of the Greeks. Jason was soon replaced by another named Menelaus who defiled the Temple with the worship of Greek idols.

ISRAEL’S National Anthem – HATIKVAH

Yochanan was outraged by his brother’s behavior and that of Menelaus. When Antiochus IV was away fighting a war against Egypt Yochanan began to rally the Jews to disobey the new customs and religion being forced on them. The Jewish people were afraid of Antiochus’ reprisals and mostly did nothing. However, when the Romans spread a rumor that Antiochus IV had been killed, the Jewish people rebelled against Menelaus causing him to flee.

Much to the horror of the Jews, Antiochus returned from battle alive and enraged by Roman meddling and Jewish rebellion. He ordered his army to strike out against the Jews killing thousands. Antiochus IV then ordered a series of extremely harsh decrees against the Jewish people and religion.

All Jewish worship was forbidden. All Scrolls of the Law were confiscated and burned. Observation of Shabbat, the Brit Milah, and abiding by Kashrut were all prohibited under penalty of death. As the soldiers went town to town ravaging the Land of Israel they forced Jewish inhabitants to worship their pagan idols and eat the flesh of pigs. Many complied, but some refused and died for their beliefs.

One day Antiochus’ soldiers arrived in a town called Modiin just outside Jerusalem. An old, great priest named Mattiyahu was an inhabitant of this town. The soidiers built an altar to their pagan idols in the center of town and ordered Mattiyahu to worship at it. Mattiyahu refused. A Hellenistic Jew approached the altar to offer a sacrifice. Mattiyahu took out his sword and killed him, and his sons and neighbors sprang on the Greek soldiers killing or chasing them away.

Mattiyahu knew when Antiochus IV heard of this rebellion there would be a heavy price to pay. He fled together with his sons and neighbors to the hills of Judah. Here they lived in the caves and encouraged all loyal and courageous Jews to join them. They formed legions and would carefully leave the caves to attach outposts of Greek and Syrian soldiers and destroy pagan altars.

When old Mattiyahu was on his deathbed, he called his sons together. He encouraged them to defend God’s Torah. He asked that the tactical leader be Shimon the Wise and in battle the leader be Judah the Strong. Judah was known as Maccabee – a contraction for “Mi Kamocha Ba’eilim HaShem” translated as “Who is like you, O God.” This was sung to God by Moses and the Israelites after God parted the Red Sea giving them safe passage and destroying the Egyptians (Exodus 15:11).

Rise of the Maccabees, and the fall of Antiochus

Judah’s followers became known as “The Maccabees” and caused great havoc to the Empire. Eventually Antiochus sent one of his best generals to wipe out this little band of Jewish fighters. Even though the Empire’s army was much better equipped and greater in number, the Maccabees were triumphant in battle again and again.

Antiochus IV realized that he needed to put an end to this rebellion once and for all. He sent an army of 40,000 men in to the Judean hills. When Judah and the Maccabees heard the army coming they cried, “Let us fight to the death in defense of our souls and our Temple!” The Maccabees fought with God in their hearts and the honor of Judaism in their souls. They fought for their Torah and for their Temple. After a series of bloody battles, it was done. They had defeated the powerful army of Antiochus.

With their victory, the Maccabees climbed a mountain outside Jerusalem and looked upon the city. On the 25th of Kislev they descended the mountain to liberate Jerusalem and reclaim their Temple. As they marched into the Holy City they were distressed by what they saw – idols, impurity, and filth everywhere. They entered the Holy Temple and were shocked to see the same. Jerusalem and the the Temple needed to be made Holy again for God.

The miracle of the endless oil

They began in the Temple, clearing it of all pagan idols and building a new altar. The golden Menorah has been stolen by the Syrians and Greeks so the Maccabees made a new one from what they could find. They wanted in light the Menorah to rededicate the Temple to the One True God. They rummaged though the ruins seeking a flask of sanctified oil, but all had been defiled. Finally, they found a small jug in which the Kohen seal was still intact.

They carefully poured the oil into their makeshift Menorah even though they realized that there was only enough oil for one day. They also realized that it would take eight days to sanctify more oil for the Temple. Nevertheless, the Maccabees had faith and dedicated the Holy Temple and lit the Menorah.

Then a great miracle occurred. The oil burned through the first night an on to the second, then on to the third. The oil continued to burn for eight nights until more oil was ready for the Temple. This miracle proved that God was with the Maccabees all along. They fought for what they believed and held fast in face of death with God at their side. Their faith in God and the Torah never wavered and God showed them His Divine presence.

Headline News

Donald J. Trump’s Unfinished War With Iran Turns Catastrophic As More American Troops Are Killed By Direct Iranian Fire On A Military Base In Jordan

Published

23 hours ago

July 18, 2026

Geoffrey Grider

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Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth Called It A “Decisive Military Victory,” But Iran Is Still Firing Missiles, Striking U.S. Bases And Killing American Troops

CENTCOM says Iranian ballistic missiles and drones struck American and partner forces in Jordan, killing two U.S. service members, leaving one unaccounted for and sending four others to hospitals. The war has now claimed 16 American service members and wounded more than 430. These are not the statistics of a conflict that is “all but over.” They are the mounting casualties of a war that has entered a dangerous new phase. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump have continually lied to us about the true nature, and danger, of this war, and it is past time that Congress held them both to account, under oath. Preferably with their hands on a King James Bible that Trump says is his favorite Book. 2 US servicemen, and maybe more, died today in a war that Trump said was already finished. That’s not acceptable to me, and it shouldn’t be to you, either.

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1 (KJB)

Only three months ago, Pete Hegseth declared a “decisive military victory,” while the White House announced that America had achieved its military objectives and crushed the Iranian threat. Trump repeatedly claimed the war was nearly complete, that Iran had practically nothing left to target and that he could end the conflict whenever he chose. But Iran is still firing ballistic missiles, launching drones, striking American bases and killing American troops. The supposed defeated enemy has now demonstrated that it retains both the ability and the willingness to shed American blood. White House statement Hegseth’s victory declaration

BREAKING NEWS: Watch as Iranian drone and missile strikes hit the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan tonight, killing at least two US soldiers and injuring several other American Servicemembers. Why does Trump keep lying to us about the truth with our war with Iran? pic.twitter.com/p3DUKOLgA4

— Now The End Begins (@NowTheEndBegins) July 18, 2026

This is what happens when political leaders confuse bombing campaigns with completed wars. Destroying targets is not the same thing as eliminating an enemy’s ability to retaliate. Announcing victory is not the same thing as securing peace. A ceasefire is not an ending when neither side has resolved the underlying confrontation. Trump and Hegseth took their victory lap while tens of thousands of American troops remained scattered across exposed bases throughout the Middle East—and now those troops are paying the price for promises Washington could not keep.

HELP NTEB TO PROVIDE THE CHILDREN AT THE GLORY FELLOWSHIP ORPHANAGE IN KENYA WITH THEIR OWN WELL SO THEY’LL ALWAYS HAVE CLEAN, FRESH WATER, CLICK FOR MORE INFO!!

The terrible truth is that the war Trump said was nearly finished is expanding across Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is attacking American forces and regional infrastructure; America is conducting night after night of retaliatory strikes; the peace arrangement has collapsed; and every exchange creates pressure for an even larger response. Two Americans are dead, another may still be somewhere beneath the wreckage, and hundreds have already been wounded. Trump’s unfinished war did not make Iran disappear—it left American troops standing directly in the path of Iran’s revenge. This is not only the most poorly waged military campaign in American history, it’s a tragic loss of life for no discernable purpose.

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Headline News

The Medicine Has Been Delivered And A 10,000-Liter Water Tank Is Filled With Fresh Water, Now Operation Africa! Needs To Provide The Orphans Their Own Well

Published

2 days ago

July 17, 2026

Geoffrey Grider

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Operation Africa! Has Delivered The Medicine And Fresh Water—Now We Must Complete The Mission By Raising $5,000 To Drill A Well For These Children

Today, the children of Glory Fellowship Orphanage received all the medicine needed to fight the typhoid and malaria outbreak—and a massive 10,000-liter water tank filled with clean, fresh water. For the first time in their lives, these children saw fresh water, tasted fresh water, and drank without wondering whether it would make them sick. What we regard as an ordinary glass of water became an answer to much prayer in their hands. Praise the LORD for His goodness, and there remains much work left to do.

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 (KJB)

But the tank is only the beginning. Once those 10,000 liters are gone, the need returns. Now we must undertake the biggest part of this mission: raising $5,000 to drill a permanent freshwater well at the orphanage. Medicine treats today’s sickness, and the tank answers today’s emergency—but a well can protect these children for years to come. It will provide water for drinking, cooking, washing, sanitation, and the daily needs of the entire orphanage. In this photo, we see all 81 of the orphans standing in front of the water tank we delievered to them today. They are all suffering with malaria and typhoid from drinking river water, please pray the LORD for a full and swift recovery for them.

CLICK TO DONATE TO THIS FUNDRAISER AND HELP US TO BUILD THESE ORPHANS THEIR OWN WELL SO THEY NEVER RUN OUT OF WATER!!

We have already witnessed what God can accomplish through His people. The medicine has been delivered. The tank has arrived, and fresh water is flowing. Now let us finish what we started and put a well into the ground, one that will continue giving life long after this fundraiser is over. Come help us, we need you!!

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If God has prospered you, please take a moment to click on the donate button to help us in this overwhelmingly urgent task of providing the children of Glory Fellowship Orphange with medicine and clean drinking water. We need your prayers, we need your generous financial support, and we need you to stand with us in the closing days of the Church Age. Thank you so very much, TO THE FIGHT!!!

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Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our WayGiver Funding page

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

Headline News

THE PROPHECY NEWS PODCAST: The First International Congress of Noahides In Jerusalem Will Prepare The Jews To Receive The Coming Biblical Antichrist

Published

2 days ago

July 17, 2026

Geoffrey Grider

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The First International Noahide Congress Will Gather Six Continents In Jerusalem To Build A Unified Global Religious Movement Preparing For Antichrist

For years, NTEB has warned that the Seven Noahide Laws will provide the religious and judicial framework necessary to unite the nations under a counterfeit system of morality without Jesus Christ. Now, in November 2026, representatives from six continents are scheduled to gather in Jerusalem for the First International Congress of Noahides, and the organizers are telling us plainly that this is “a foundation, not a conference.” They are not gathering merely to exchange ideas. They intend to sign a founding charter, establish an international rabbinical court, create regional councils, adopt a unified syllabus, institute structured membership and build the financial machinery necessary to sustain a global religious movement. Christian, keep your wits about you, the man of sin is about to be revealed, and we are about to board Flight #777 on Titus213 Airlines!

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 (KJB)

On this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast, think about what is being constructed with the First International Noahide Conference. A One World universal moral code, one centralized spiritual authority, one international judicial structure and one worldwide movement—with Jerusalem functioning as its spiritual center. This is precisely the type of institutional scaffolding required before a religious philosophy can become a religious government. The organizers even declare that delegates will arrive as individuals and leave as “one movement.” The scattered pieces are being assembled, the authority is being centralized, and the machinery of worldwide religious administration is being put into place. The deception is found in what the Noahide system appears to offer. It speaks of God, righteousness, prophecy, covenant, morality and the world to come. It condemns murder, theft, sexual immorality, idolatry and blasphemy. To the unsuspecting world, it will appear peaceful, reasonable and righteous. But it offers righteousness without the shed blood of Jesus Christ, reconciliation without the Cross, salvation without the Saviour and a kingdom without the King. It is not atheism attacking religion from the outside; it is a counterfeit biblical religion attempting to replace the gospel from within. We are watching something move from religious theory into institutional reality. The Seven Noahide Laws are being given a charter, courts, judges, councils, textbooks, rituals, financing and a global headquarters in Jerusalem. The First International Congress of Noahides may pass largely unnoticed by the mainstream media, but we are watching this unfold with our spiritual eyes wide open. The organizers say “history is beginning anew” and that the “prophetic hour has arrived”. They say this is a foundation and not merely a conference. On that final point, we should believe them. A foundation is being laid, but it is not being laid upon Jesus Christ. Today we bring you everything you need to know about the First International Conference of Noahides in Jerusalem.

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