A Spirit of Priest-craft

 

My husband and I had a wonderful get away for our thirtieth wedding anniversary. We were able to spend time alone with each other, and re-bond as husband and wife.

When we returned home, things were just as good between us, until one evening, we found us at each other’s throats. The abruptness of it startled both of us, and the severity of angry emotions we had not experienced in years made no sense.

The arguing was over silly small stuff, such as if we should drive a half a mile over to the next store, or if we really needed that item on the grocery list. My husband yelled at me, and I wanted to slap him! We just don’t experience those kinds of emotions anymore in our marriage, for we know well who they are really from. Even knowing this, it took several minutes to push away the attacks and reach out to each other in love. We promptly cast out the demons we thought were attacking us, in the name of Jesus. We had forgiven each other, but it still felt testy between us. I could not understand what had happened, for such an attack upon us to take place. Yes, we were away from the home, but we went to the same old places that we had no problems with before, and we bound up any demons that were in the stores as we walked through them.

So it really confused me, as to why we were attacked like that.

When we got home, we were told that our oldest son had run into that Jehovah’s witness, the mom of my other son’s friend, (yes, the one who cast us out of her home during the fire,) at the local coffee shop. She tried to manipulate my son into agreeing with whatever she said, (apparently for some reason she still blames me for what she did,) and then tried to convert him over to her religion. My children were brought up to respect their elders, so he did not know how to handle it, when she argued with him over the scriptures. He tried to stick up for what he believes, but it was not easy for him. Finally, before she left, she reached out and gave him a hug goodbye.

When I was told this, the puzzle pieces fell into place. My son and I exchanged notes on when she hugged him, (he looked at his watch just seconds afterwards,) and we then realized that hug must have taken place just moments before we were attacked. Yet it still confused me, for we were many miles apart from each other. When I went to the Lord, He told me that we were attacked by a spirit of priest-craft. These kinds of demons are found in every Jehovah’s witness, (they come from the elders in that cult,) and they are known to cause problems and fighting within marriages. Even their literature left at the front door of a home can cause issues for those who reside within. I cast them from us in the name of Jesus, and the last testiness between me and my husband finally left us.

What amazed me, was how having the woman hug my son, opened up a doorway for her demons to attack me and my husband all the way across town! I used to think that a person’s demons could not so easily transfer to you unless you were physically close to them. How wrong I was! All it took was a physical touch to my son, for her demons to attack us.

Again, the scriptures that comes to mind, is “lay hands suddenly on no man , neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. ” (1 Timothy 5:22 KJV)

Please Do Not Get That Tattoo!

 

In our family’s experience, where ever blood is spilled from the body, there are demons. The more blood, the more openings, the more demons. Any form of blood-letting will do. Tattooing causes about 3,000 piercings of the skin per minute, which is a lot of openings for demons to enter in. “Blood-letting has both occult and demonic origins as it is considered a power source that is supernaturally unleashed.” (http://www.raptureready.com/featured/schaefer/tattoo.html)

My kids can spot a tattoo parlor from over a mile away, just from all the demons hanging around it. These demons are attached to the parlor, almost like balloons on strings, and they reach out and hover over the city, while they try to entice people to enter in. The demons are covered with tattoos, and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. We have not found a tattoo parlor yet without demons attached to it. Tattoo artists are filled with demons. (Yes, even ‘Christian’ tattoo artists.) Those demons can easily transfer to you when you get a tattoo from them. Once in, the demon has the right to ask other demons to come and live within you as well. (Matthew 12:43-45)

My kids and I have seen and spoken to many people with tattoos. They have ALWAYS had demons coming out from their tattoos. And yes, this is the same even for ‘Christian’ tattoos. For this reason, we tend not to get together in person on a regular basis with those that flaunt their tattoos, for we have yet to meet one that was free of those demons. (And we do not like to spend our time with demons.) If the person covers them up with their clothing, we don’t get hit as much from the demons. It’s like they are held back somehow, and can not reach us.

One of my kids was friends with a missionary. This man had no tattoos. Then he went to a foreign land to minister unto the people, and when he returned, he had ‘Christian’ tattoos on his hands. He also had demons on him, that were not there before. My kid could see that these demons were attached to his new tattoos. Yes, his CHRISTIAN tattoos! His friend does not believe that his ‘Christian’ tattoos could have opened him up to demons. So the demons in him happily remain.

My husband wanted to show me a wedding photo of one of his friends. When I went to look at the computer screen, I gasped and stumbled back from the onslaught of demons that were reaching out towards me from the computer screen. I then braced myself and carefully looked closer at the photo, to try and discern from where the attack was coming from. I followed the strings of the demons to their end, and found that one of the people in the wedding photo, had tattoos covering both of her arms. (The rest of her was covered, and she had no tattoos on her face.) There wasn’t a place left on her arms that was not covered in ink. I was very glad then, that we had not gone to this wedding. I also felt bad for the bride, who will always have her wedding photo marred with those demons.

Our family knows that God is not fond of tattoo’s, for in Leviticus 19:28 (KJV) He says: “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.” He did not want His children to be mistaken for those who follow pagan gods. Pagans and even Satanists still use tattoos today to mark themselves as being apart from others. Satanists are known to get tattoos as a way of purposely acquiring specific demons.

Some carnal Christians try to explain that piece of scripture away, stating that in Lev 19:27, (right before 19:28,) it forbids one to get a hair cut. But “what Leviticus 19.27 is talking about is ‘rounding the corners of your head’ and ‘marring the corners of your beard’. These were heathen practices. One such practice was to cut the hair so that the head resembled a celestial globe. It is called a ‘tonsure’, a practice of heathens to honor their gods.” (http://pratonix.hubpages.com/hub/The-Tragic-Truth-about-Tattoos)

Did you know that cutting your body is a sign of demonic influence? (Mark 5:1-9) When you get a tattoo, you cut your body. Just thinking about getting a tattoo, shows that a demon is right there trying to entice you into getting one. Cast out that demon in the name of Jesus, before it causes you to mutilate the temple of the living God!

http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/bible.html states: “…In 1 Corinthians 3, the Lord clearly and sternly warns against defiling your body – the temple of God. …”Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)”

The health risks of getting a tattoo is alarming. Again, sickness comes from demons, and not from God. (John 10:10) Particular demons can cause specific sicknesses. “A tattooing machine can puncture the skin 3,000 times a minute. And every one of those thousands of punctures creates a hole 1/64 to 1/16th of an inch into the dermis that literally invites infection and disease. Every single puncture of the tattoo needle opens up the real possibility of AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, tetanus, tuberculosis and about any other blood-borne disease. With the average tattoo taking about 60 minutes that equals 180,000 tiny “Russian Roulette” puncture wounds providing a potential path to a very deadly infectious disease. Psalm 38:5-8 almost sounds like it was written just for such an infection… “My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.” (http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/health.html)

God commands us to SEPARATE from the sinful world (2nd Corinthians 6:14-17), and not to help them by befriending and adopting their wickedness.
(http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Apostasy/tattoos.htm)

“Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary and Explanatory on the Whole Bible writes under Leviticus 19:28: “…they were wisely forbidden, for they were signs of apostasy; and, when once made, they were insuperable obstacles to a return.””
(http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/bible.html)

Throughout history tattoos have symbolized rebellion and deviancy. They were used to mark criminals, traitors, and deserters.
(http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/rebel.html)

Humans learned the art of tattooing, (among other decorating arts of the body,) from the fallen angels that mated with human women before the flood of Noah. (http://www.eaec.org/bibleanswers/Noah.htm) Indeed, an increase in tattooing is a sign of the end times, because so many were doing it in the pre-flood days of Noah. It would not surprise me if the mark of the beast might one day be noted with a tattoo.

“Former Satanists have stated that one of the major societal signs of a society slipping into Satanism is a surge in the number of body piercings and tattoos. God forbade tattooing of the body in Deu 14:1 and Lev 19:28 because it went hand in hand with the Satan worship among the foreign populations of the people living in Israel at the time. God forbade body piercing in Leviticus 21:5, also because it was part of the satanic practice of that time, and God wanted Israel to have nothing to do with either the practice or the outward physical manifestations of it. Many of the people who pierce the body are practicing Satanists, and will take a month’s supply of body piercing jewelry to their monthly coven meeting to be cursed. Specific curses will be placed upon each piece of body piercing jewelry so that a person having their body pierced will automatically invite demons into their body. Many of the people performing tattoos will likewise have their work cursed.”
(http://forthewordoftruth.weebly.com/demonic-influences.html)

“…we are to live life as a new creature that is set apart as different from the world in lifestyle, faith and practice. We are to walk circumspectly and modestly, humbling ourselves–rather than look to ostentatious display wherein we look for ways to be adulated as the world does… Tattooing and body piercing (in the most basic, honest, definition) is the vain marking, cutting or self-mutilation of the human body for the express purpose of pretentious display, adulation or admiration. Basically, you want others to see this portrait that you’ve had placed upon yourself, that you may in some way glory in it. Is that a harsh evaluation? Of course, because the truth is a harsh and often bitter pill. Nevertheless, what other reason is there for these actions except to stand out, for adulation, for rebellion or for the lust of the eyes? Along with idolatry, these are the same reasons that the world had for doing these things to the body. Are we to honestly claim that we have different reasons? As is illustrated in 1st John 2:15-16, this is the way of the world, not of those who are supposed to be “set apart” or sanctified from the world for the service of God. We don’t need tattoos and body piercings to glory in, to attract converts, attention, to be prideful of, or to feel good about ourselves. We have the faith of Christ within us, the genesis of humility and selfless service.” http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/faq/should_christians_get_tattoos.shtml

We should honestly ask ourselves, “is tattooing ourselves and placing body piercings all over our body, glorifying to God?” If not, then why are we doing it? We are not our own and so we simply do not have the right to do anything we want with our life, our spirit or our body. It all belongs to God who purchased it. That is what many professing Christians (consciously and unconsciously) neglect. Again, would we paint graffiti on someone else’s building? It is interesting that in man’s justification of this behavior (his weakness) many professing Christians say that they should have the free will or catch all, “Christian liberty,” to do whatever they chose with their own body. Indeed this sounds perilously close to the justifications of those who support the so-called “right to choose” in the abortion rights issue. I’m not saying that people who want tattoos and body piercings are akin to abortionists, but I am saying that the carnal self-serving mindset is the same. It is one of narcissism where they desire what is their will, rather than have the love of God to desire what He wills for us. It is truly a lack of surrendering ourselves and our will fully to the will of God. We are living in the “Me Generation” where there is a marked and growing disdain for Godly selflessness, sacrifice and denial. As long as they can do whatever they want, they will joy in being Christ-like. However, if there are any restrictions, then they want no part of that kind of Christianity. This is so because all law is by nature judgmental, and that’s considered a violation of so-called Christian liberty. Yet there truly is no such Christian liberty that excuses Christians to do such things. It is a Christian myth that has been perpetrated upon the church for years.”
http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/faq/should_christians_get_tattoos.shtml

What happens if another new baby Christian sees another Christian with a tattoo, and then thinks he can do it too? That Christian would be partially responsible for this new baby believer getting more demons into their life! We need to be salt and light to others, as we draw them towards Christ. We are supposed to be known by our fruit. A tattoo upon our body is a form of fruit. And it is not from God, but from the evil one. Scripture tells us in Romans 14:21, (KJV): “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” If someone sees the tattoos and asks you about them, tell them that they are as sin to you, and not something for them to emulate.

Tattoos are a sign of being in the world and of the world. God has not said in His word that we are to do such a thing. Instead, it states that we are not to do it, because it is pagan. Those who are proud of their ‘Christian’ tattoos remind me of those who proudly celebrate Christmas and Easter. They claim they do so (and think it right in their own mind,) because whatever they do, they do in the name of Jesus. (They like to quote Colossians 2:16 in their defense, but God never called pagan practices ‘holy’, so this piece of scripture doesn’t fit.) Jesus never said that it was acceptable to worship Him like the pagans worship their gods. Some people in the Old Testament got into trouble because they tried to do that. Christian tattoos are no different. Jesus never said that we could go against Old Testament scripture and get a tattoo like the pagans do, as long as we do it in His name and for His glory!

It is heart-wrenching to run into someone who has tattoos but now wishes to undo them. http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/regret.html states that “As many as 80 percent of people with tattoos regret their tattoo.” And it is very expensive to remove it! To remove a twenty five dollar tattoo can cost thousands of dollars. And no, insurance does not cover the procedure. I do find it interesting, that a laser light is what’s needed to remove one. Repeated shining of a very bright light onto that darkness is what it takes to erase them.

For those reading this post who have already gotten that tattoo, ask the Lord what He wants you to do about it. If He wants you to have it removed, then He will help you find the way and the money to have it done. If the tattoos are able to be covered with clothing, then cover them. Our family has noticed that the demons are way less able to affect others when they are covered and unseen.

I would try applying blessed olive oil to the tattoos, and blessing them in the name of Jesus, until they can be removed. Plead the blood of Jesus over them and over you as well. Demons HATE blessed olive oil, as it represents the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (And we have seen and heard demons scream in pain when the Blood of Jesus hits them!)

When casting out the tattoo demons, I would cast out all demons that come to mind. If there is the slightest thought that it could have transferred to you, then cast it out in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. You might want to look at the place and the person who gave you the tattoo for clues. Look at the problems that your tattoo artist had. For example, did he or she like to get drunk? Were they into pornography? Divorced? Whatever symbols that they worked with, would need to be cast out also, just in case they may have transferred themselves to you. Keep in mind, that the demons often lay dormant for years, before coming out to harass you. They can also use you as a conduit in order to transfer themselves to someone else. (For example, you may never know you had the demon of pornography in you, but suddenly your friend gets hit with those desires. The demon could have transferred itself from you to your friend.)

List of possible demons to cast out: skulls, bloodletting, tattooing, fire, shamanism, mysticism, roots, occult, paganism, demonism, baal, hell, cannibalism and vampirism, (especially if you seen your tattoo artist lick the blood that came from your tattooing,) serpent worship, death, priest-craft, magic, heathenism, sun worship, darkness, resentment, rebellion, witchcraft, deviancy, defiling, adultery, criminal, homosexuality, lesbianism, sexual perversion, alcoholism, drugs, violence, depression, sickness, regret, defile,, worldly, idolatry, pornography, hopelessness, anger, rage, self-righteousness, hate, un-forgiveness, satan, apathy. If your tattoo artist used specific names of the tattoo they were applying to your skin, then cast that particular name out as well.

There are some ministries out there, that are willing to help you remove the tattoo for free or at low cost. You might try doing a search on line to see if there are any in your area.

I had hoped to delay the posting of this topic, until we had met someone with tattoos that wanted to get rid of them. But sadly, as of this date, no one we know personally who has tattoos, believes that they could have any tattoo demons. They refuse to have them cast out in Jesus name. And they do not want to get rid of their tattoos. So, we are uncertain if the demons can be removed, with the tattoo still remaining. My guess is that they could at least be bound up in the name of Jesus, so they could not cause anyone any problems. I suspect that those tattoos of satanic origin (skulls, pentagrams, snakes, demons, etc.,) would act like a doorway for the demons to enter back in, simply because of their picturesque symbolism. Demons are attracted to those kinds of symbols. It is like a welcome mat to them.

The Lord is pressing me to share our family’s testimony concerning tattoos now, and to not wait any longer, for He has told me that the practice is increasing among His people, and that this is not His Will for His beloved children.

The other night, I had a horrible dream. I dreamed that I was trying to help out another believer, but she suddenly showed up with some kind of orange and white Indian tattoo over her body, and I found that I could no longer reach her. Whenever I got too close, the demons that were now in her through the tattoos, would come forth and physically shove me back. Meanwhile those demons took great satisfaction in torturing her. There was a sharp sense of horror and unreality, the kind that one goes through after a bad accident, when the mind screams ‘this is not happening to me!’ With tears streaming down both of our faces, the other believer and I kept wishing that we could turn back the hands of time, and stop her from getting the tattoo. I awoke from the dream with sorrow sitting upon my heart. I hesitated at first, to share this dream with you, for I was uncertain from whom the dream came from. But now I am sensing that I am to share it, for even if it was sent from the evil one in an effort to try and scare me and make me feel hopeless, (it didn’t work, for God’s Word is more powerful than any demon,) God proposes to use it for His glory, His kingdom, and His people.

Let us not be assimilated into the practices and customs of the world, but let us be a peculiar people set apart for Christ. (http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/faq/should_christians_get_tattoos.shtml)

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“Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45)

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1st Thessalonians 5:21-22)

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:21)

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
(2 Corinthians 2:11)

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

“Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.” (Deuteronomy 14:1)

“And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. (Mark 5:1-9) (See also Luke 8:26-28)

“Ye that love the LORD, hate evil…” -Psalm 97:10

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1st John 2:16

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:12-14

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:3-6

“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:4-7

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1st Corinthians 6:19-20

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.” 2nd Timothy 2:19-20

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1st John 2:15

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1st Thessalonians 5:21-22

“Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” “Selah” But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. “Selah” I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.” Psalm 3:2-6

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This link is very good, and leads you through casting out the tattoo demons:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140607113735-98184239-why-christians-should-not-have-tattoos

http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/faq/should_christians_get_tattoos.shtml

http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/intro.html
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/death.html
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/health.html
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/bible.html
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/rebel.html
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/pagan.html
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/blood.html
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/regret.html

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Apostasy/tattoos.htm

Note: bind up these demonic tattoos before viewing:

Venezuela Tattoo Expo Showcases Frightening Demon Possessed Body Artists

http://www.exposingsatanism.org/showthread.php/121-Signs-and-Symbols-of-Satanism

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/casting-demons-expelling-demons-mucus-saliva-ny-church/story?id=14075667&page=2

http://www.av1611.org/tattoos/blood.html

http://www.born-again-christian.info/answers/removing-old-tattoos.htm

http://www.libertygospeltracts.com/question/prequest/tattoo.htm
\http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/pagan.html

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The Feast Of Dedication

 

Tonight is the beginning of The Feast of Dedication. This is when our family re-evaluates our lives and our homes to see if any pagan things has infiltrated it, and to then cleanse the temple (ourselves) from these idols, as well as any hidden apathy or unbelief, and re-dedicate ourselves and our lives to God. It is also a time for us to remember God’s miracles in our lives.

The Jews refer to this Holy Day as Hanukkah, while others think of it as The Festival of Lights.

Some claim that Jesus Christ himself, celebrated The Feast of Dedication. John 10:22-23 “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.” Others claim he did not celebrate it, but used it to speak out against those who were against Him. It is also when He said in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

There was a time when I had sworn to never celebrate Hanukkah, for it held too many pagan practices for my comfort. We have been able to separate this celebration from what the Jews have added to it over the years, so we now celebrate it, hopefully in His Spirit. It helps us to focus on Jesus instead of all the pagan idolatry that goes on in the world at this time.

We do not use the nine candled menorah, for it was something man came up with. (Some also claim that 9 is an evil number.) We have sensed and seen demons around nine candled menorahs, even with oil lights. We have yet to see them around a seven candled menorah with oil lights. Seven branched menorahs are described in detail in the old testament. The nine candled menorah is not found in the bible at all. Wax candles can attract demons, depending on where they came from and who made them, so we do not use them. Even if they are made by a Jewish company specifically for the Holy Day, they may have been made and blessed by a rabbi, which might carry the demon of priest-craft with it. So we avoid all use of candles in ours, and use olive oil and fabric wicks instead, just as they did in the Old Testament. For us, the menorah is a symbol and a reminder that God is in control. The center light represents God, and all the other candles that stem out from it, shows how all we do and the strength that we have comes directly from the Lord.

We re-tell the miracles and answered prayers that have happened in our lives, for during this time, “Jesus pointed out to His listeners that the miracles He had done authenticated His claim that He was, indeed, the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (see John 10:37-38)…It also reminds us to remain true to God even when the world around us tries to force us into assimilation.”
(http://www.gotquestions.org/Hanukkah-Christian.html )

According to our God, every new day begins at sunset. This is when we light the menorah. Usually the mother of the family lights them and says:

“Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments.”

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.”

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.”

Then the first candle is lit.

Then she says: “We kindle these lights to commemorate the saving acts, miracles and wonders, which You have performed for our forefathers, in those days at this time. We also remember the miracles and answered prayers that You have gifted us with in our own lives. We offer thanks and praise to Your great name, for Your miracles, for Your wonders, and for Your salvations.”

On the next night of The Feast of Dedication, two lights are lit instead of just one. (The same verbal dedication is given each time.) On the third day, three lights are lit, and so on, until all the lights are lit. Then on the remaining days, we either light all the lights again, or we light them according to what day of the week it is. (Friday evening would have all the lights burning, and Saturday evening would only have one light lit. Sunday would have two, and so forth.)

On each night, we recite scriptures out loud, (you might try http://heartofwisdom.com/biblicalholidays/2013/12/03/hanukkah-readings-for-eight-nights/ for ideas on this,) discuss them, and then share with each other a miracle or answered prayer that we experienced in our lives, especially within the past year. We then have dinner, and perhaps partake in a board game, or bake some kind of desert, or do something else that involves the whole family. During the day is when we look within ourselves and talk to God, to take personal inventory and re-dedicate ourselves back to Him. Sometimes this means shutting ourselves up in a room and just spend time reading His Word, and for others it means taking a long hike out in nature to be with Him.

The Feast of Dedication is not listed in the bible as one of God’s Feasts that must be followed. I share with you how our family celebrates this Feast, in order to give just one possible example of how a believer might celebrate it. If you feel God calling you to celebrate it differently, then please follow Him and do so! Our family’s example is not to be taken as a must-do. It is simply a glimpse into a time in our lives that the Lord has told me to share with you. Remember, Colossians 2:16 says “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.” “Every believer in Yahuwshuwa is now under the royal priesthood of Melchizedek (1st Peter 2:9), and so we do not need to do the temple ceremonial laws when keeping feasts. We can be led by the Holy Spirit in how we keep these holy days.” (http://doubleportioninheritance.blogspot.com/2011/09/december-25th-birth-of-antichrist_22.html)

May the Holy Spirit bring you and keep you tucked under the Blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, especially in this season!

*

http://doubleportioninheritance.blogspot.com/2011/12/eight-day-miracle-of-oil-on-chanukkah.html

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Winter_Holidays/Chanukah/Christians/christians.html

http://www.opendoorministrieswv.org/hanukkah.html