This is a gospel-oriented Torah study. Our goal is to connect the good news of Yeshua the Messiah (the gospel message) to its Hebraic, pro-Torah roots or foundations. The information given here is more than head knowledge. Understanding and wisdom (the right application of knowledge that is based on truth) is taught thus making biblical truth practical, relevant and applicable to your daily life. The truths of the Bible not only have the power to transform your life here and now for the better, but eventually to take you past the veil of death and into eternity.
This Torah study is subdivided in sections by topic in a magazine format thus making it easy to watch at several sittings. May you be blessed as you watch this video.
To the casual observer, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that occurs around Christmas-time and has something to do with lighting a menorah-like candelabra, and somehow relates to some important event that occurred a long time ago in Jewish history. Some Bible teachers even claim that Hanukkah is pagan-based holiday that in some way honors the demonic sun god of antiquity. But as we shall see below, there is a hidden truth behind the Hanukkah holiday that the devil doesn’t want people to know about. In fact, by the end of this study, you will hopefully see that Hanukkah celebrates the truth of the Messiah’s incarnation better than Christmas ever did and minus all the pagan trappings. You’ve probably never heard this before and wonder how this could be, so read on.
Anyone who has barely scratched the surface of the historical origins of Christmas’ realizes that they are profane and unbiblical. Christmas is the Christianization of some vile pagan traditions based on celebrating the winter solstice in honor of the demonic sun god through lewd and drunken, orgiastic and satanic rituals. Though the tradition of the Christmas tree came later, it is rooted in pre-Christian sex worship rituals that come straight out of demonic sun god worship, and is something that the Bible in many places condemns and forbids the saints from practicing.
Hanukkah, on the other hand, doesn’t share Christmas’ pagan origins. Rather, this holiday links back directly to one of YHVH’s seven commanded biblical festivals. Though Hanukkah isn’t a commanded biblical holiday, and is of man’s creation, it still has prophetic implications that are worth noting. What’s more, it doesn’t carry the pagan baggage the Christian holidays like Christmas, Easter, Lent, All Saints Day (i.e. Halloween) and the others all do.
In our study of the origins of Hanukkah, let’s first demonstrate that a correlative link exists between the biblical fall festival of Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev 23:33–43) and Hanukkah. How is this? Interestingly, both Hanukkah and Sukkot along with the Eighth Day last for eight days. According to the intertestamental book of Maccabees, Hanukkah was a second, belated Feast of Tabernacles (Heb. Sukkot and the Eighth Day (Heb. Shemini Atzeret; see 1 Macc 4:44–59; 2 Macc 1:7–9; 10:1–8). After the Jews defeated the Greeks’ attempt to destroy Judaism and the Jewish people, the Jews had to cleanse and reconsecrate their temple from pagan defilement before again worshipping YHVH there. The temple wasn’t ready to be rededicated at the biblically prescribed time of Sukkot in the seventh month of the biblical calendar (in September/October), which is when Solomon dedicated the first temple (2 Chr 5:3; 7:8–9). Instead, the Jews rededicated the cleansed temple roughly two months later in the ninth month (in December), and they celebrated a belated or second Sukkot roughly two months later after the temple was finally cleansed.
Moreover, the extra biblical tradition of lighting of giant menorahs was a major aspect of Sukkot’s joyous celebration for the second temple Jews (The Temple, p. 224ff, by Alfred Edersheim). Yeshua seems to make reference to this celebration of light involving menorahs when he entered the temple on the last great day or seventh day of Sukkot (called Hoshana Rabbah). At this very time, Yeshua refers to himself as the (true) light of the world (John 8:12 cp. John 7:12).The lighting of an eight-branched candelabra at Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, seems to reflects this Jewish tradition of lighting menorahs during Sukkot. It also speaks of the miracle of the light of YHVH’s Torah-truth being preserved in Israel despite the heathen’s attempt to stamp it out.
Interestingly, the timing of Hanukkah also relates to Yeshua who is the light of the world (John 8:12). There is strong biblical evidence to suggest that Yeshua was born at the biblical festival of Sukkot in the early fall. If this is the case, Yeshua would have been conceived in the virgin Mary’s womb by the Spirit of Elohim nine months earlier in our month of December at the time of Hanukkah. The Bible teaches that human life begins at conception (Exod 21:22; Ps 139:13–16; Jer 1:5; Luke 1:15, 41, 44), not at birth as we in the West typically view it. Therefore, Yeshua’s life really started when he was conceived in Mary’s womb, not when he was born. Therefore, in Hebraic thought, Christmas isn’t really celebrating the beginning of Yeshua’s life or incarnation. Hanukkah does!
Despite the fact that Christmas misses the mark in celebrating the beginning of Yeshua’s life, Hanukkah and Christmas share something in common. They both celebrate the coming of Yeshua, the Word of Elohim from heaven to this earth to be the light of the world to show man the way to the Father in heaven. Sadly, Christmas is the Christianization of some horrific pagan holidays to arrive at this truth. Hanukkah, however, carries none of this ungodly baggage, as we have attempted to demonstrate so far in this short study.
Why did the Jews choose the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month on which to rededicate the temple? Did this timing have something to do with the winter solstice as the December 25 timing of Christmas does and as some Bible teachers suggest? Absolutely not. There is actually a connection between the timing of Hanukkah (which by the way usually starts well before the winter solstice) and an important historical event that occurred in Israel’s history. It also relates to a Messianic prophecy having to do with the coming of the promised Messiah into the world. This we see in the biblical book of Haggai. This tiny book records that on the day just before what would later become known as Hanukkah or the Feast of Dedication (i.e. the twenty-fourth day of the biblical ninth month, which is called Chislev or Kislev), the cornerstone to the second temple was laid (Hag 2:19). This is the same temple that the idolatrous Greeks would desecrate some 350 years later. Therefore the Maccabeean Jews had solid biblical precedence for choosing the date of Kislev 25 to start celebrating the eight day holiday of Hanukkah or the Feast of Dedication, for this was the day after the prophetic decree went out to lay the cornerstone for that very temple 350 years earlier. Therefore, it appears that the Maccabeean Jews merged the timing of the commencement of the second temple’s construction with the idea that the Solomon’s temple was dedicated on Sukkot. But since temple has been defiled by the Greeks and was not in a purified state to be able to celebrate Sukkot in the fall, they first purified it, then they celebrated a belated Sukkot-type celebration in the ninth month starting on Kislev 25, which became known as the Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah.
Furthermore, when Haggai the prophet records the laying of the cornerstone for the second temple, he also speaks about the Desire of All Nations—another name for Yeshua the Messiah—coming to that very temple and filling it with his glory (Hag 2:7). This is the greater reason why this temple had to be built! The Messiah needed a temple to come to, so that many biblical prophecies about him could be fulfilled. Moreover, in verse nine, Haggai prophesies that the glory of the second temple would be greater than that of Solomon’s temple. How is this? From a physical perspective this is hard to understand, since Solomon’s temple contained billions of dollars worth of gold alone. The second temple could hardly compare to the glorious and extravagant riches of the first temple. Yet considering that this would be the temple to which the Messiah, the Son of Elohim, would come, YHVH through the prophet could indeed predict that “the glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former” (Hag 2:9), since Yeshua the Messiah and Creator of all things is infinitely greater than any temple made by men.
Finally, John, the Gospel writer, in a sense, confirms Haggai’s prophecy when he records a curious double entendre statement that Yeshua made. While at the second temple, Yeshua predicted the temple’s destruction and its raising up again in three days. Those around him thought he was referring to the destruction and rebuilding of the actual physical second temple. John, however, informs us that Yeshua’s prophecy was instead referring to the temple of his body, which would be destroyed at his crucifixion and then raised up or resurrected after three days in the grave (John 2:19–22). As the cornerstone for the second temple (the very temple to which Yeshua came on the Feast of Dedication in John 10:22) was laid at Hanukkah time, so Yeshua who is the Rock of our salvation (Deut 32:15; Pss 62:2; 89:26) and our Chief Cornerstone (Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:6) was miraculously conceived at this very time by Elohim in the womb of the virgin Mary. He was then born nine months later at Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles. It was at Sukkot, nine months after Hanukkah, that Yeshua the Messiah or Immanuel (or El [God] with man) was born in human likeness and came to dwell or tabernacle with men in a human body (1 John 1:1, 14).
This then is the greater and glorious story behind the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah that has been hidden for millennia!
The encounter between Yeshua and the Gadarene demoniac (Mark 5:1–20) teaches us about the characteristics of one who is tormented, oppressed or even possessed by a demon or an evil, unclean spirit. Please note that a demon-possessed person is different than one who is influenced by a demonic spirit. The former, may exhibit the bizarre behavior of the Gadarene demoniac (Mark 5:1–20), while both former and the latter may act like a normal human except when they are triggered (emotionally or psychologically), and then their behavior suddenly alter.
The characteristics of a demon-possessed person can be the following:
One with an unclean spirit is “unclean in thought and life” (Mark 5:2).
Such an individual may have a pre-occupation with things relating to death and dying (Mark 5:3).
They may possess superhuman strength thanks to the aid of the demon in them (Mark 5:4).
They may act wild, and unable to be restrained (Mark 5:4).
They may be prone to fits of shouting loudly (Mark 5:5), shrieking or making a shrill cry (Mark 9:18).
They may cut themselves, or resort to other acts of self-mutilation (Mark 5:5) or self destruction (e.g., burning oneself by fire, Matt 17:15; Mark 9:22), or attempts at drowning (Mark 9:22).
The demoniac may possess supernatural knowledge (Mark 5:7).
The demon can speak through the demonized person (Mark 5:7), or cry out (Mark 9:26).
A demonic spirit wants to possess or inhabit something; if not a human, then an animal (Mark 5:12), or a house, an objects like idols or books (Acts 19:19; Rev 13:15) or even a mechanical device or a “matrix” type system (e.g., the image of the beast in Rev 13:13–14).
They may be clothed improperly or scantily (Mark 5:15).
They will not a possess a “right [sound, self-controlled, sober]” mind (Mark 5:15).
A demonic or an unclean spirit may cause convulsions or spasmodic contractions, bodily contortions within a person, or cause a person to be hurled to the ground (Mark 1:25; 9:18, 20) resulting in one wallowing or rolling around on the ground (Mark 9:20).
Epileptic-type seizures or madness can be symptoms of demon possession (Matt 17:15).
A demoniac may foam at the mouth (Mark 9:18, 20).
A demoniac may grind or gnash their the teeth (Mark 9:18)
A demonic spirit can cause one’s body to waste away, dry up or become rigid (Mark 9:18).
Demonic spirits can accompany people as they come into the congregation of YHVH (Mark 1:23; Luke 4:33).
A demonic spirit can make one to be mute or unable to speak (Mark 9:17).
How to Deal With the Influences of a Demonic Spirit in Yourself or Someone Else
How does one deal with either demon possession of or demonic influence in a person (these are two different, though similar situations)? There are several possible ways. This is where wisdom and the spiritual gift of the discerning of spirits is helpful (1 Cor 12:10). Here are some quick points and guidelines that will help you to help yourself or someone else who is under demonic influences at one level or another.
If the evil spirit is in you or is influencing you, then repent of the sin that your are committing that is opening the spiritual door (like a chink in your spiritual armor) that is allowing or giving legal permission for the evil influence to affect you. Command the evil spirit to leave in the name of Yeshua. This is how you cast a demon out of yourself or shut the door to demonic influences. If this is too difficult for you to do, then seek the help of wise and knowledgeable biblical counselors who have experience in the area of spiritual deliverance.
If the demon or demonic influence involves another person, you can only help them if they recognize that they have a problem and want help, are willing to repent of their sin, and want to accept Yeshua’s lordship over all areas of their life. If they are willing to confess and repent of their sin and accept Yeshua not only as their Savior but also their Mater, then share the gospel with them and have them accept and confess the Truth concerning Yeshua. Then with the person’s approval, cast the demon out of the person and forbid the demon from influencing them again. Then teach the person how to stay free of the demonic influence by loving and obeying Yeshua their Lord and Savior by embracing a lifestyle that conforms to biblical standards of holiness and righteousness.
If they don’t recognize that they have a problem and don’t want to repent of their sin, there’s not a lot that you can do, except to pray for them and to avoid them if they are toxic. This is because each person has free will, and only they can control what influences their lives or not. If you are dealing with a family member that you live with, a demonic influence is even more difficult to deal with and avoiding the person may be nearly impossible. There may not be much that you can do except to create a spiritual “God bubble” or “force field” around yourself by fortifying yourself through prayer, spiritual warfare, by living a Yeshua-like life, and by surrounding yourself with as many godly and positive influences as possible. You may also need to set boundaries around yourself (of tolerating or not tolerating certain behaviors) and stick to them when dealing with the person. Beyond that, pray for wisdom and guidance from above on how to deal with this situation. It will be a character building experience for sure! Yeshua cast many demons out of people who wanted his help, but not out of people who didn’t want help. YHVH has given each of us freedom of choice. Some people choose to live in dirty houses, while others want Yeshua and Holy Spirit to come in and clean house. It is up to the individual. Demonically inspired people continually persecuted Yeshua, his apostles and the prophets during their entire ministries. As a result, Yeshua and many of his servant ended up as martyrs for their faith. Study the life of Yeshua to learn how he wisely dealt with demonically influenced people. Sometimes he confronted them, and sometimes he avoided them. This is a whole other study in itself.
If a demonic spirit is attacking you directly or through another person, Yeshua gave his disciples the authority to bind that spirit. Just be aware of a couple of things. We don’t have authority over demons except through Yeshua (Luke 9:1; 10:19; Mark 16:17). Furthermore, if we have major sin in our lives, then we limit or negate our authority over demons. To be effective at controlling demons, you must first repent of your own sins. Finally, be careful about binding or casting a demon out of someone against their will. When you’re gone, it may come back seven times worse and the end condition of that person’s life may be worse than before making ministry to that person at a latter date all but impossible (Matt 12:29, 43–45).
When dealing with demonic spirits, remember these Scripture promises:
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1)
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Elohim for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah (2 Cor 10:3–5)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of Elohim, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of Elohim, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of Elohim; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Eph 6:10–18)
Ye are of Elohim, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Submit yourselves therefore to Elohim. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:7)
And they overcame [Satan the serpent] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev 12:11)
Many, if not most of the modern Moslems or Muslims (especially the Arabs) trace their lineage back if not biologically then spiritually to Ishmael, the son of Abraham by Hagar. Islam in its religious book, the Koran, claims that it was Abraham and Ishmael who built the Kaaba (The Koran, Sura 2: 121 or 127, depending on the version.), which is the small building containing a stone that supposedly fell from heaven. This shrine is located in the midst of great mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
In Genesis 16:11–12 YHVH prophesied the following concerning Ishmael and his descendants:
The angel of YHVH said to her further, “Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son; and you shall call his name Ishmael, because YHVH has given heed to your affliction. And he will be a wild donkey of a man, his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers.”
The modern Moslems have twisted the biblical account of Abraham’s giving the birthright blessing to Isaac and believe instead that Ishmael was the promised son of blessing. Both Israelites and Arabs, therefore, believe that they have a right to the Promised Land of Canaan, and, hence, this disagreement is at the roots of the modern Arab-Israeli conflict.
Scripture further records that Esau, the disinherited son of Isaac, also had a jealous anger against his brother Jacob, who received the birthright promise instead of him. Scripture further records that Esau married the daughter of Ishmael (Gen 28:9). Thus in some of Esau’s descendants (he had more than one wife), the lineage of Esau and Ishmael were combined and both men had a jealous feud with the sons of Jacob, which has been passed down generationally to this day.
The Bible has more to say prophetically about the descendants of Edom (another name for Esau, Gen 31:6, 8)than about those of Ishmael. Edom is portrayed as an aggressive and bloodthirsty people who are opposed to Israel at every step. We will discover what Scripture has to say about this below.
In the mean time, let’s take a closer look at Edom.
Edom (meaning “red”) was Esau’s nickname (see Gen 25:25, 30; 36:1, 8–9, 19, 43).
Esau intermarried with the descendants of Ishmael (Gen 28:9).
Seir is another name for the land of Edom (Gen 32:3; 33:16; 36:8).
Esau intermarried with the people of Canaan (Gen 36:2). He intermarried with the Hittites, the Hivites, as well as the Ishmaelites.
His descendants included the Amalekites (Gen 36:12, 16) who fought against the children of Israel upon leaving Egypt and as soon as they had entered the wilderness en route to the Promised Land (Exod 17:1).
Esau’s sons were dukes or chieftains (leaders of clans) and kings (Gen 36:15–16, 40–43).
Although Esau’s direct lineage was confined to the area of the traditional land of Edom, in modern-day Jordan, it is clear from the biblical record that he and his descendants intermarried with many of the neighboring nations, so that his descendants were scattered far and wide over the region that later became known as the Holy Land.
The entire one-chapter Book of Obadiahis a prophecy against Edom. Let’s note several key points in this prophecy that might help us to understand some things about Edom in light of end-time Bible prophecy and how this relates to the end-times Arab-Israeli conflict. When you think of Edom, think of the modern day Palestinians.
Verse 2, The descendants of Edom are greatly despised (scorned, held in contempt, disdained).
Verse 3, Though they dwell in the clefts (places of concealment, retreats) of the rocks, they are proud and view themselves as invincible.
Verse 4, YHVH promises to bring Edom down.
Verse 7, Esau has a confederacy (league, alliance) of nations, which include many of the modern Moslem and Arab nations.
Verse 11, Edom’s eyes are on Jerusalem. Edom among other foreigners will cast lots for Jerusalem (seek to divide it among the nations or religions of the world as an international city under the control of the United Nations?).
Verse 13, Edom has entered into the gates of the land of Israel in the day of her calamity or disaster.
Verse 14, Edom will kill Jewish refugees trying to escape the land of Israel in her time of distress.
Verse 15, The time frame of the fulfillment of these prophecies is “near” the day of YHVH, when he will judge Edom and the other heathen nations.
Verse 16, Edom will be drinking (celebrating?) on the Temple Mount which is YHVH’s “holy mountain,” and as a result, they shall drink the cup of YHVH’s wrath.
Verse 17, The house of Jacob will get the Temple Mount back!
How many descriptions of the modern Palestinian and other Islamo-terrorists do we see in Obadiah? What other people-group fits this description? Is Esau a picture of many modern-day Palestinians and their Moslem backers who hate the Jews, the state of Israel and America?
We have learned who Jacob represents in end-time prophecy. Now we learn who Jacob’s descendants’ arch-enemy will be and who will attempt to prevent them from returning to the land of Israel. This will happen in the end times before the coming of the Messiah. We will learn more about this later.
As we noted, Edom’s hatred for Israel has its roots in the antagonism between Ishmael and Isaac, and then afterwards between Esau and Jacob. The hatred that Esau had for Israel has been passed on down to successive generations of Edomites. The biblical prophets discusses this murderous antagonism on Edom’s part as being carried down generation to generation to the very end times. Let’s review some of these biblical prophecies.
Ezekiel 36 speaks about the conflict between end-time Edom and end-time Israel. In verse two, we see that the enemies of Israel have regarded the “ancient high [or declared, promised] places” of Israel as “ours in possession.” This is a clear reference to the holy places in Israel (e.g., the Temple Mount for the Jews and Bethlehem for the Christians—only in recent years have the Palestinians taken Bethlehem and forced—out of persecution and intimidation—the majority of the large Christian population of that city to leave). “High places” can also refer to the militarily strategic high places such as the Golan Heights and the ridges surrounding the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Next, let’s look at Ezekiel 35, which is a prophecy against Edom. In verses four through five, we see that end-time Edom will be devastated because of its perpetual hatred for the children of Israel. They have killed their enemies by the power of the sword. This is how Muslim’s have traditionally spread their religion—by their curved scimitar sword. Advancing Moslem armies force its captives to leave, covert or die. According to verse five, this is to be occurring at the time of the punishment (of the children of Israel?) at the time of the end (NAS) or the end of time (lit. Hebrew). This is another example of YHVH’s using Edom (Esau) to bring Ephraim and Judah to its knees in the time of the end.
In verses six through nine of the same chapter, we see that YHVH will punish Edom for its blood-thirstiness against Israel and will devastate its cities and slay large numbers of its people. Other biblical prophecies indicate that the militaries of Judah and Ephraim will be the means by which YHVH accomplishes this.
Finally, in verse 10, Edom (Islam) wants to take over or possess the two countries or lands (Heb. eretz) of Israel or those of Judah and Ephraim (or the Jews and Christians), even though YHVH was there (in the lands of his people). Their anger and hatred against Israel is based on envy or jealousy (verse 11) of Israel.
The Koran, the religious book of Islam, has taken the historic and prophesied hatred of Edom and formed a religion around it. The Koran was written by Mohammed, a Jew and Christian hater, more than one thousand years after the prophecies of Ezekiel and Obadiah. Here are some quotes from the Koran that confirm the prophecies of the Bible with regard to Edom.
Make war upon those to whom the Scriptures have been given as believe not in God [Allah]…and who forbid not that which God and His Apostle [Mohammed] have forbidden, and who profess not the profession of the truth, until they pay tribute out of hand, and they be humbled. The Jews say, “Ezra is a son of God”; and the Christians say, “The Messiah is a son of God.” Such sayings in their mouths. They resemble the sayings of the infidels of old! God do battle with them! How they are misguided! (Sura 9:29–30)
When thy Lord spake unto the angels, “I will be with you: therefore stablish ye the faithful I will cast a dread into the heart of the infidels.” Strike off their heads then, and strike off from them every finger-tip. (Sura 8:12)
“O people of the Book!…Can I announce to you any retribution worse than that which awaiteth them with God? They whom God hath cursed and with whom He hath been angry—some of them hath he changed into apes and swine; and they who worship Thagout are in evil plight, and have gone far astray from the right path. (Sura 5:64–65)
Only recompense of those who war against God and His Apostle, and go about to commit disorders on the earth, shall be that they shall be slain and crucified, or have their alternate hands and feet cut off, or be banished from the land…(Sura 5:37) (All quotes are from The Koran; Ivy/Ballentine Books, New York, 1993)
A note from Nathan: I wrote the following expose on Islam after reading the Koran more than 15 years ago. After the recent horrific occurrences in Israel at the hands of Muslim terrorists, it is appropriate to understand the demonic forces that are behind Islam and the perverse and twisted nature of their “holy” book that gives license to the unspeakable acts of Muslims who believe and follow the Koran.
The True Face of Islam Unmasked
Introduction
The Koran (or Qur’an) is the sacred book of the religion of Islam. It contains the sayings of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. In the Koran, Muhammad (ca. 570 to 632) claims that the sayings of the Koran came to him from God (or Allah) via the angel Gabriel. Based on a passage in the Koran (Sura 7:157), many believe that Muhammad was illiterate and was incapable of writing these sayings down himself. At the very least, he was unlettered and unlearned. Shortly after his death, some of his followers who had memorized his sayings met together and recorded in written form what they remembered Muhammad to have said. This is how the Koran came to be.
The Koran forms the bedrock of the Islamic faith, although there are other sacred books belonging to the religion of Islam that have sprung up since the Koran was compiled.
Since some of the practitioners of Islam are presently on a crusade to forcefully convert many countries to Islam, and since many Muslims terrorists have demonstrated a specific hatred for Jews and Christians, and since there is much misinformation being broadcast in the western media, by western politicians and western educators as to what Moslems believe and what the Koran actually teaches, I took it upon myself to read the Koran from cover to cover to see for myself what it says. Below are some of the amazing facts about Islam that I learned from reading the Koran.
The following references are taken directly from the Koran. Chapter (Sura) and verse references may vary from Koran to Koran. Those listed below are from The Koran by Ivy Books (published by Ballantine books in 1993, a division of Random House, New York, ISBN 0-8041-1125-1). I will occasionally provide some alternate versions of the Koran from several other translations for the purpose of confirming some of the more controversial passages.
Alternate versions of the Koran that I use for comparative purposes are:
AKa (The Qur’an, by Abdullah Yusuf Ali; Elmhurst, N.Y. : Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, Publishers and Distributors of Holy Qur’an, 2005, ISBN 1-879402-29-7)
AKb Koran: Quran—The Final Testament; Authorized English Version; translated from the Original by Dr. Rashad Khalifa, Ph.D. by Islamic Productions, 2003, http://www.quran-islam.org/93.html).
According to the Koran
The Purpose of the Koran
The main purpose of the Koran is to warn all creatures (p. 294, Sura 38:79).
The Koran is a warning to the God/Allah-fearing (p. 375, Sura 69:48).
Muslim Theology
Moslems are to believe the Koran and the Bible (p. 58, Sura 4:136).
The koranic law of abrogation states that if something was written later in the Koran that contradicts something that was written earlier, the later cancels out the former (p. 10, Sura 2:100; p. 153, Sura 13:39).
One earns (immortality and) a spot in paradise or heaven by doing things that are right, and on the basis of one’s good works (p. 57, Sura 4:23; page 92, Sura 7:42; p. 198, Sura 20:111; pp. 251 and 255, Sura 29:6 and 57; p. 318, Sura 43:72). A sinner can be forgiven of his sins by paying alms, by being prayed over, through repentance and by his good works (p. 121; Sura 9:5–7).
Those who oppose Allah and Muhammad will receive eternal hell fire (p. 117, Sura 9:64; p. 113, Sura 9:17; p. 164, Sura 16:31). The Koran portrays the torments of hell in the stereotypical manner reminiscent of Dante’s inferno (p. 208, Sura 22:20).
Allah misleads some people and guides others (p. 152, Sura 13:27; AKb 13:27; p. 154, Sura 14:4).
At the creation of man, Allah commanded angels to bow down to worship man (p. 159, Sura 15:30–33).
Allah gave the Torah to guide the children of Israel (p. 171, Sura 17:2; AKb 17:2; p. 264, Sura 32:23).
There are seven heavens (p. 214, Sura 23:17). This is a concept that the Koran borrows from the pagan Greek philosophers.
Ishmael was a prophet and an apostle (p. 190, Sura 19:55).
Camels are used for sacrifices (p. 209, Sura 22:37) and for eating (p. 210, Sura 22:36).
The Koran teaches that Allah and the God of the Bible (YHVH Elohim) are one in the same, and the same God sent down the Book of the Law (the Torah) and the Koran (p. 254, Sura 29:45–46; AKb 29:46–47).
The soul of man is immortal (p. 255, Sura 29:58). This also is a concept that the Koran borrows from the pagan Greek philosophers who taught the concept of dualism.
There is no variableness in the way of Allah; that is, the word of Allah does not vary. In other words, the Bible and Koran do not contradict (p. 279, Sura 32:45), since the Koran teaches that both books came from the same God (p. 254, Sura 29:45–46). At the same time, the Koran claims to clear up (or correct the errors of?) the Bible and replaces them with truth (p. 64, Sura 5:18; p. 127; Sura 10:38).
Allah created the earth in two days (p. 307, Sura 41:8; AKb 41:9). If this is true, how can the Bible and Koran both be truth and the word of God, since the Bible states the earth and everything else in six days? Elsewhere, the Koran claims that the earth was created in six days (p. 338; Sura 50:37).
Paradise or heaven is guaranteed for those who fight and slay for the cause of Islam (pp. 121–122, Sura 9:11).
The Koran on Muhammad
Muhammad was an “unlettered prophet,” which is interpreted to mean that either he was illiterate or was unlearned (p. 101, Sura 7:157; AKb 7:157 says Muhammad was a “gentile prophet” in place of “unlettered prophet”).
Muhammad had many slaves and wives and lots of sex (p. 269; Sura 33:49–51; AKb 33:50–51).
This is the final video of Nathan’s 2023 Sukkot Series, and we end on a high note—in fact, there is none higher! It is all about our passionate love for Yeshua the Messiah—a love that will carry each of us to the highest possible place in his coming kingdom of heaven on earth, which is involves our becoming the glorified bride of Yeshua and ruling and reigning with him for eternity in that kingdom.
The Song of Solomon, the greatest love song ever composed and the subject of this teaching, gives us a glimpse into the kind of love the potential bride of Yeshua will need to have for her soon-coming heavenly Bridegroom.
Listen to and then let this teaching sink into your heart and inspire you to new heights in your passion for Yeshua your Savior, Lord and King.
Nathan’s Commentary Notes on the Song of Solomon Chapter One
Song 1:2, Kisses of his mouth. Allegorically, kisses from our beloved Messiah can be a symbolic metaphor for the tokens of Yeshua’s love for his bride (that, those saints who have qualified to be his bride). The kisses of his mouth may well represent his grace and pardon for our sins, his sending us the Comforter of his Set-Apart Spirit to guide us to our Father in heaven, along with the joy and peace that comes from knowing him, as well as the fruit and gifts of his Spirit, and the hope for a glorious future that he promises those who love and obey him.
Your love is better than wine.Though wine joys the heart and calms the nerves, it is but a temporary and superficial fix to life’s problems. Like a band-aid on a wound, it fails reach the root cause of man’s empty and lonely heart. The love of Yeshua, on the other hand, is a river of life that is a never-ending source of joy, which strengthens and heals us at the deepest levels. Instead of being drunk with wine, the Bible encourages us to become “drunk” with passion for Yeshua the Messiah, who offers the human heart love, joy, peace and hope—something that alcohol can never do. Ephesians 5:18 tells us, “Be not drunk with wine…but be filled with the Spirit,” which is Yeshua’s love gift or mohar to his betrothed bride as a down payment or guarantee of his devotion. The Set-Apart Spirit—its fruit and gifts—is Yeshua’s engagement ring, down payment, pledge or earnest money to his saints (2 Cor 1:22; 5:5) guaranteeing that his promise of their future inheritance (i.e., eternal life and marriage to him) is good.
Your good ointments.Like a soothing and healing balm or ointment on chapped, dry and cracking skin, so is a relationship with Yeshua the Messiah. Elsewhere Jeremiah asks the question, “Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?” (Jer 8:22). The answer is yes, there is a Person who is like a healing ointment to the soul. His name is Yeshua the Messiah, and he offers healing for those who will take hold of him, love him and follow him. Not only is a relationship with YHVH-Yeshua a tree of life with fruit that is lovely to the taste (Ps 34:8), but it is fragrant to the nostrils as well, unlike the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil which looks good to the eye, is appealing to the taste buds, but upon ingestion becomes bitter like wormwood.
Song 1:3,Your name is better than ointment poured forth. (Heb. sheman meaning oil.)The name (i.e., the personality, character and reputation) of Yeshua is better than any ointment. Ointment or olive oil soothes and heals wounded, chaffed, burned, and aching skin. When we are wounded emotionally and spiritually, there is always a place of healing and comfort at the foot of Yeshua’s cross where his arms were open wide in loving acceptance of sinners like you and me. There is forgiveness, power, victory and healing in the name of Yeshua. Through faith in him, one can overcome all fear and anything that the world, the flesh and the devil would throw at us.
The virgins love you.The disciples of Yeshua are like spiritual virgins, who refuse to fornicate with the world, and who remain undefiled by the world, while only having eyes for Yeshua their Bridegroom. They are not drawn away by the passions of this world. They follow Yeshua the lamb, their Bridegroom, wherever he leads them (Rev 14:4). Why? Because they have not grown cold in their love for Yeshua. They have never lost their first love like others in the church (Rev 2:4).
Song 1:4, Draw me away. Are our hearts drawn away from Yeshua by the world, the flesh or the devil, or are we totally dedicated to him? Do we long to be with and to know Yeshua and his love? Yeshua is looking for a bride who refuses to taker her eyes off of him, and who is not drawn away from him by other lovers through fornication with the world.
We will run. (Daughters of Jerusalem speaking). Are those around us drawn to Yeshua because they see our unreserved and undefiled love for him? Are we a light to our children, to our unbelieving family members, to our neighbors and work associates? Yeshua speaks of two classes of virgins: those who are wise and are prepared for Yeshua, the Bridegroom, and those who are not (Matt 25:1–13); those who are on the inside with Yeshua at his wedding feast because they prepared themselves for him, and those who are on the outside looking in because they did not prepare themselves for him. The daughters love the Shulamite’s beloved too, but not as much as the Shulamite. That is why the Beloved did not bring them into his inner chambers. The daughters of Jerusalem are like immature, carnal and lukewarm Christian believers who are not yet established in their faith and committed to wholly serving and walking with Yeshua. He may be their Savior, but he is not their Lord or Master.
Chambers [Heb. cheder]. Literally an apartment or inner enclosure.
Song 1:5, Dark and lovely. Why is the Shulamite dark? There are two potential reasons for this. Perhaps the bride is dark from the defilement of sin. More likely it is because she has been busy working out in the field in hot sun. She is productive, not lazy. Similarly, Yeshua’s bride are called to occupy in his spiritual; field until he comes for her (Luke 19:13). Yeshua’s bride will be working in the field (the field of this world reaching lost for Yeshua, Matt 13:38; 28:19–20). She is not self-indulgently primping and preening herself and confining her activities self-righteously to the safe confines of the church system. No. Yeshua is coming for a bride who will be sun tanned, with calloused hands and strong muscles from hard work. She is preparing to rule in his kingdom. She is currently engaged in on the job training. His bride will be ruling with him in his kingdom as a kingdom of priests. They will not just be like decorative figurines adorning clouds playing harps.
Lovely. Whatever the reason for her darkness, he considers her to be lovely. Yeshua loved us while we were yet sinner (Rom 5:8).
Kedar. (Heb. means ““to mourn, to be dark.” ) A son of Ishmael and an area in the northern Arabian desert inhabited by this tribe (Gen 25:13; Isa 21:16).
Tents of Kedar. This suggests that the Shulamite was at times a nomad or is living in a tent while tending the sheep. Other times, the Song records her living in a house in the city (Song 2:9; 3:1, 4; 5:2–7). Yeshua’s saints can be found living and ministering in a variety of place wherever he leads them and they are needed whether in the wilderness or in the city.
Song 1:6,My own vineyard I have not kept.The Shulamite is so occupied with her work that she has neglected her own well-being. She is not a self-absorbed or narcissistic bride. There is a lesson in this for the bride of Yeshua.
Song 1:8, Follow in the footsteps of his flock.Those who love Yeshua will be apart of his flock. There are privileges and benefits to being in a productive, life-giving, protected flock under the watchful care of Yeshua’s pastors or under-shepherds. The bride of Yeshua will be part of a spiritual flock, and will cherish the many benefits that come as result of fellowship with other believers.
Song 1:8, Besides the shepherds’ tents. Shepherds is plural speaking of the King Solomon’s under-shepherds. The wise believer sits under the direction of godly, spiritual leaders.
Song 1:12,Spikenard. This is a costly oil made from an aromatic plant shipped from India in alabaster jars and stored and used for only special occasions, such as anointing household guests at arrival. Such an occasion occurred twice in Yeshua’s life; one when Mary anointed Yeshua’s feet at the party to celebrate Lazarus’ resurrection. (Mark 14:3; John 12:3).
Song 1:13,Myrrh.This is an Arabian gum from the bark of a tree used in sacred oil and perfume. Myrrh is from maror meaning “to be bitter, to be strong or strengthen.” This word is used again in Song 8:6 where we read, “For love is stronger than death…” to denote not the bitterness, but the strength of love. It was used in the purifying rites of women (Esth 2:12), as a gift for the young Yeshua (Matt 2:11), for embalming (John 19:39) and was offered to Yeshua in the form of a bitter drink mixed with sour wine or vinegar (Mark 15:23; Matt 27:34).
Song 1:14, Camphire or henna. A plant used to produce a valuable orange-red dye. It was seven to ten feet high and produced fragrant white flowers. Heb. kopher from kaphar meaning “to cover, to make atonement, to make reconciliation, to pacify, purge away, cover over with pitch.” This speaks of Yeshua spilling his blood for atonement for our sins. It is interesting that henna is orange-red in color, which is an allusion to the blood of Yeshua that washes away sin. Women to this day use dyes containing henna to color their hair.
En Gedi.An oasis in the barren western shores of the Dead Sea up in the mountains. It contained hideouts and hot springs that come out of large cliffs. The abundant water from the hot springs provide a semi-tropical-like garden environment. Lit. ayn (eye, spring, well) of the kid, or young male goat. Knowing Yeshua is like coming to an oasis next to the Dead Sea wilderness of life.
Song 1:16,Our bed is green.The Hebrew word for green means “luxuriant or fresh.”Knowing Yeshua and being in a spiritual relationship with him is like feeding in green pastures beside the still waters (Ps 23:2). It is like being a tree planted by the rivers of life whose leaf does not wither in the hot sun and which bears fruit in its season (Ps 1:3). These horticultural metaphors are an apt description of the spiritually verdant and fruitful life of the true saint-bride of Yeshua.
Song 1:17,Beams of our houses.Is the bride anticipating the “mansion” that her bride is building for them once they are completely married? Similarly, Yeshua promised a “mansion” for the saints who qualify to be his bride in his future kingdom (John 14:2). Do our hearts long to be living with Yeshua in the house that he has promised his bride in his future kingdom?
This video series presents an amazingly expansive view of the gospel message including explaining the mystery and higher purpose of marriage, sexual procreation, and family as the creative process by which YHVH is expanding his own glorified, spiritual family. The mainstream church has largely missed this aspect of the gospel message, which has been hidden in plain sight in your Bibles all along. The theme of sexual and spiritual procreation runs like a major thread forming part of the rich tapestry of the gospel message from Genesis to Revelation. Moreover, marriage and family are the cornerstone building blocks of the kingdom of Elohim and are the Creator’s plan to recreate himself (in a majorly stepped down version, of course) or “the God family” that will live forever with him in the new heavens and new earth. To that end, two families presently coexist on earth—a physical and a spiritual one. Adam and Eve started the physical family of man that then went astray spiritually. Then Elohim raised up Abraham to start a physical family that would then become a spiritual one — the nation and chosen people of Elohim with the commission of expanding that family throughout the world by being a spiritual light to the nations through the spreading of the Torah-based gospel message. Yeshua is squarely at the center of Elohim’s plan to expand this spiritual family, by unifying the physical and spiritual families in himself culminating with his marriage to his glorified saints who qualify to be his bride. Creating the kingdom or family of Elohim then is the higher purpose of physical marriage, sexual procreation and family. Of course, Satan the devil is promulgating his own counterfeit family and kingdom on this earth to compete with that of Elohim. But Satan’s plan, which involves sexual promiscuity and perversion, the destruction of the family and marriage and male and female genders, if allowed to continue, will end in the extinction of the human race. Thankfully Yeshua the Messiah will return and destroy Satan’s nefarious plans along with his global world order before they come to fruition. He will then establish his universal kingdom on this earth that will last forever. This then is Elohim’s ultimate and expanded plan of salvation to which the mainstream church has largely been oblivious for some 1,900 years.
