This year, the first night of Hanukkah fell on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Both September 11, 2001 and December 7, 1941 will continue to be known as two of the darkest days in American history. But the tragedy of Pearl Harbor preceded 9-11, and represented a turning point in how America responded to its enemies.

Below is a brief history of what happened on this infamous day when Pearl Harbor was attacked:  source: Imperial War Museum)

“On the morning of 7 December 1941, at 7:48am local time, 177 aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Their intention was to destroy and damage as much of the US Pacific Fleet as possible, before it could respond to Japanese operations taking place on the same day against British, Dutch and US territories in southeast Asia.

This first attack wave began bombing the hangars and parked aircraft of the island’s airfields while at the same time launching torpedoes against the US warships moored in the harbor. In the first five minutes of the attack, four battleships were hit, including the USS Oklahoma and the USS Arizona. Minutes later, the Arizona exploded after a bomb hit its gunpowder stores, sinking the ship and killing 1,177 of its crew.

This devastating attack was followed an hour later by a second wave of 163 Japanese aircraft. Within two hours, 21 US warships had been sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft destroyed and 2,403 American servicemen and women killed. Many of these ships were repaired and fought in later battles, and, crucially all three of the Pacific Fleet’s aircraft carriers were not at Pearl Harbor during the attack and so escaped damage. They were to prove vital in the coming Pacific Campaign.”

This devastating sneak attack on our country that happened in the early morning hours of the day reminds us of a spiritual truth that Jesus has taught to all those who follow Him.

The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.

Certainly, whether we perceive it or not, there is an enemy lurking in the shadows. Sometimes, he’s disguised by all the things that have captured our attention at that moment in time. Under the water, or circling in the air, he’s waiting….watching… anticipating the perfect time to attack and wreak havoc in our lives.

If left undetected, he will continue doing damage. He will do his best to destroy our fleet. He will go after our possessions, family, friends and all the things we hold dear in our lives.

Perhaps one of the saddest stories from the Pearl Harbor attack is what happened to the USS Arizona on a quiet Sunday morning. 

The AZ Central newspaper describes the scene:

“A crew set up chairs for church. The men in the mess hall served breakfast. Some of the ranking officers made their way to the wardroom for coffee. No one would scrub decks or holystone the teak wood on the quarterdeck, not on Sunday.

For two hours and 25 minutes on Dec. 7, 1941, the men of the Arizona went about their business aboard a fearsome battleship moored in a cramped naval port on the southern coastline of Oahu. Fifteen hundred men, rising to a new day.

By the end of the day, the attack would kill more than 2,000 at Pearl Harbor. More than half the military dead were on the Arizona, 1,177 sailors and Marines, the greatest loss of life ever on a U.S. warship. Just 335 from the big battleship would survive the defining moment of that day, that lifetime.”

One sailor who survived the attack of the USS Arizona recalls a chilling scene as the relentless bombardment took place: 

“Men were jumping into the water to escape the fires…a few leapt from a burning deck into flames on the harbor’s oily surface.” 

As this traumatized sailor tried to help injured crewmen back onto the launch, he saw a man whose legs had been blown off. Badly burned men, some of them covered in flames, dashed to and frow along the ship, trying to find the best place to jump into the water. Survivors recall seeing men with charred flesh falling off their bodies. 

Other survivors saw gunner planes riddling the ship’s deck with bullets, killing scores of crewmen in their wake. The ship continued to creak and list while hundreds of men remained trapped inside the sinking ship. If they didn’t burn with the ship, they would surely drown inside. Explosions continued as the Japanese dropped one bomb after another. 

The bombings finally stopped after approximately 2 hours. But by then, more than 900 men of the 1,177 sailors and Marines that were killed, would become entombed inside the ship. They remain there to this day.  

On December 7, 1941–a day that will live in infamy–everything changed for the United States. On December 8, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States declared war on Japan. On December 11, the U.S. would declare war on Nazi Germany and Italy as well.  One of the greatest battles for freedom from tyranny would be launched as the the world’s superpower–the United States–entered the race to defeat pure evil before it reached the entire globe.

As I reflect upon the disaster at Pearl Harbor, I can’t help but think of our world today. Everything has changed. Though we weren’t physically bombed from the skies, or torpedoed from below, we have certainly been under attack by the Prince of the Power of the Air–Satan. His faithful soldiers are engaging in an unseen war where human proxies are being used to do his bidding.

The target of his attacks are Christians, Jews and anyone who will not bow to his agenda of deceit and corruption. 

Since the Covid PLAN-demic, the darkness has become darker, as the players of this sick game continue dropping one bomb after another –  air raids on religious and medical freedom; torpedoes of censorship; missiles being dropped on traditional family values; rocket launchers tearing our borders open; nukes heading towards our financial system; bullets of antisemitism penetrating our youth and educational institutions.

These attacks are happening in sync with one another. The ultimate goal is to sink the nation and entomb those who stand against the enemy. Like Hitler and his allies, who sought to take over the entire world, those running the show today want to spread globalism (which is really communism/Satanism) all over the planet.

But all is not lost. As we think about the timing of the first night of Hanukkah this year and how it coincides with the attack on Pearl Harbor, we are reminded of something very powerful that we possess. This power is so strong, it can never be snuffed out.

WHAT IS THIS POWER?

IT IS THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

As the branches of the Hanukkah menorah are lit one by one, we must understand that Satan will not win this war. It is Jesus Christ, the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, who will win.

The story of Hanukkah holds powerful truths for our lives right now. Each night of Hanukkah, (which lasts for eight days) the menorah is lit by the shamash- also known as The Servant Candle.  This is the candle that lights all the others.  Jesus embodies the shamash.  He came to earth as a servant so he could bring light into a dark world. It is only through him that we are able to embrace and shine true light.  

As the world gets darker and problems in our lives seem to get more numerous and complicated, we can be assured that Jesus is with us. But we must listen to His voice as he guides us to the light that is always with us. 

I’m reminded of a scene in Lord of the Rings where Frodo is being stalked by a giant, man-eating spider. Darkness surrounds him as the spider draws closer and closer. Then he remembers the vial of light (the Light of Earendil’s Star) that was given to him by Galadriel. He hears her words in his mind saying, “May it be a light for you in dark places when all other lights go out.” Immediately Frodo holds this light up to the hideous spider and it causes the wretched creature to retreat. 

There are also other times in the movie where light is used to overshadow evil. For instance, when the people of Middle Earth are surrounded and outnumbered by devilish Orcs, something wonderful happens. In the “twinkling of an eye” you see one of the story’s heroes, Gandalf, riding his white horse while being engulfed in a fantastic light. After he arrives with reinforcements, victory is secured.  

The story of Hanukkah highlights the victory of light over darkness.  In the second century B.C. the Israelites suffered under the rule of Antiochus IV, also known as Antiochus Epiphanes.  He forbade the Jewish people to worship God and outlawed the Torah.  He took over the Temple of Jerusalem, setting up idols and profaning the holy places. Pigs were sacrificed on the altar of God.  

Antiochus’ soldiers bullied and tormented the Jews into compliance, but not all gave in to their brutal tactics.  A small group of Jewish priests known as the Maccabees fought against the soldiers.  They were zealous and fierce (actually, Maccabee means hammer).  Over time, and with God’s help, they were able to take back the Temple.

Once the Temple was reclaimed by the Jews, it needed to be cleansed. Keep in mind that many pagan sacrifices had taken place on the altar, and Greek idols had been set up in the holy Temple of God.  One key aspect of the Temple that needed to be restored was the lighting of the Temple Menorah.  This menorah was made of pure gold and held the finest consecrated olive oil.  The Jewish people knew the light of the Temple needed to be restored, but there was a big problem.  Only one day’s worth of oil could be found to use in the menorah. This would not be sufficient because the Temple menorah had to remain lit continually.  It would take eight days to prepare and consecrate more oil. But even though they only had a one day supply, the menorah was lit anyway!  

Much to their amazement, the oil that was supposed to last for one day and night ended up lasting for eight. 

This is why the Hanukkah menorah (known as a Hanukkiah) has eight branches/candles that are lit.  Actually, there are a total of nine branches/candles, but the ninth branch holds the servant candle. The servant candle lights the other eight candles. Keep in mind that the original Temple menorah had seven branches.  After the miracle of the oil, the menorah contained eight, with the ninth being known as the shamash, or servant candle.

The reason this holiday is called the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, is because the Temple was rededicated to God.  This remembrance continued on after the actual event as a reminder that God is sovereign and he is the one true God.  He is the only true light of this world.  

When Jesus went to the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), he declared that HE IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.  He is also the embodiment of the Temple.  At that time, the Jewish people still went to the Temple, and it was standing, but Jesus was there to declare to them that he was the fulfillment of the Temple.  He is the Living Torah (the Word of God) who would rule their hearts.  The Torah wouldn’t be just a book of rules.  Jesus would be the Torah written on their hearts.   

Jesus spoke to the Jewish leaders at the Feast of Hanukkah and this is what he said: (John 10: 25-30)

Jesus answered, 

“I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”

Notice that Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.”  

It doesn’t get clearer than that.

Unfortunately, many of the Jewish leaders did not believe Jesus when he told them this truth. They accused him of blasphemy and wanted to stone him.  Jesus went on to say that the Father is in him, and he is in the Father (John 10:38).

The Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah) is also about the LIGHT.  The pure gold menorah lit the Temple once again.  When Jesus came to earth, he became the physical embodiment of this golden lamp stand.  His sinless life emanated this glorious light for all mankind to see.  His sacrifice on the cross gave us the privilege of receiving this miraculous light. The verses below illustrate this. 

“The people sitting in darkness have seen a great light, and those sitting in the region and shadow of death, ON THEM A LIGHT HAS DAWNED.”  Matthew 4:16

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous LIGHT.”  1 Peter 2:9

The undeniable thing about light is that it reveals the truth.  In the light we can see when dirt is on the floor, or if dust is on a table.  The darkness covers it up, but the light brings it out so we can see it.  If we are walking on a dark, unlit path, it’s easy to stumble and run into things. With a flashlight, or other source of light, we can avoid these obstacles and steer clear of danger.  When we have the light in us (Jesus) the dangers and dirt in our life is revealed through the Holy Spirit.  What used to be a stumbling block is now shown to us, and it can be removed by the power of Christ in us.

On December 7, 1941 (the attack on Pearl Harbor) the light was hidden for a time. The enemy had his way. He used his human proxies to do his bidding. He stole. He killed. He destroyed.

But that led to a DECLARATION OF WAR and eventually there was VICTORY.

As Christians, we too must declare war on the enemy. 

How do we do that?

Firstly, we must intercede for our nation and our families through prayer and fasting. We must fight the battle from our prayer closets and in communion with other prayer warriors. We cannot lay down our weapons. We have to keep praying and believing.

We must also reject the agendas and lies of the enemy. We do this by not participating in things that promote “alternate lifestyles,” abortion and celebrate sin. We stand with God’s plans for Israel and for the redemption of the world. We set ourselves apart as “a holy nation.”

We tell others about Jesus, even if it offends them. We don’t shrink back from declaring the gospel and proclaiming the truth in love. We share testimonies and live a life of faith.

And if the time comes when we are attacked, bombed or torpedoed, we stand together on the light of Christ. We do not falter. We protect our battle stations.

When I used to teach fifth grade, I often had Veterans come to my classroom to speak about their experiences in war. One special Veteran visited every year and he was a Pearl Harbor survivor. He was at Pearl Harbor the day it was attacked and said it was the most frightening experience of his life. At the time, his job was to monitor and maintain the radio station on the base. As bombs exploded around him, he could have left his station to run for his life. But he didn’t do that. Instead, he stayed at his post so he could relay valuable information by radio to command centers. He didn’t shrink from the enemy. He faced the enemy head on!

During the Covid PLAN-demic, many Christians were afraid to speak the truth about the lockdowns, Covid injections and continual censorship. They let the bombs explode all around them. Some hid from the danger, rather than facing it. Others even went along with the schemes and lies to protect themselves from bullets and shrapnel.

But if we have the light of Christ within us, we cannot hide in the darkness. it’s time to come out into the LIGHT and LET IT shine for all to see.

I can assure you that more attacks are on the horizon. 

What will they be? 

A cyberattack? Another PLANdemic? A stolen election? A food crisis? A man-made climate catasptrophe? A world war?

I don’t know what it will be, but I can tell one thing– when and if it happens, DO NOT put your light under a basket. Bring it out in full view for all to see. Stand with the Light of the World and let God take care of the rest. 

With JESUS by your side, you can stand against any Pearl Harbor moment that comes. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

And of course, we know the Bible tells us that JESUS WINS. 

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD WINS.

Keep your eyes on the prize because it is GLORIOUS.

This Hanukkah, light your menorah for ALL TO SEE.  May the Lord’s light shine on you this season and from this day forward.