Dear Doves,

 

   The sequence in John 10 begins with mentioning of sheep, the sheepfold, gate and the Good Shepherd. Then is mention of a later time of the sheepfold season which annually began in Israel about mid October. It is mentioned specifically as Winter at the time of the feast of dedication known as Hanukkah, later in the Season of the Sheepfolds. Then back to mentioning sheep and The Good Shepherd during Sheepfold Season during Hanukkah. There are important clues here in John 10. There is WHEN and there is WHERE. Solomon's Porch with its many columns, a teaching area, was a part of the Temple where King Solomon long before had his place of judgment, like a bema seat. Solomon's Porch was within the Court of the Gentiles, where any man woman or child could go, whether Jew or Gentile. Solomon's Porch in the times of Christ was accessible for each and all, a place of judgment (for dividing or separation), and instruction.

   We tend to fixate on the time of year at Hanukkah in John 10. If John 10 gives us clues about the time of year of The Blessed Hope happening, the place of judgment is also significant. What happens after The Blessed Hope, the transformed in Resurrection and the Apostacia (the departure/the departing)? Then would be the Bema Seat and the place of judgment! The crowns logically will be given before the final wedding ceremony at the wedding canopy (the chuppah), then the times of intimacy and instruction. Some clues match functions at Solomon's Porch! The attitudes of unbelief, hostility, hatred, and murder were all finalized at the last Hanukkah of The Master's life. Some men attempted to stone their Messiah and He disappeared from the midst of the faithless. The Blessed Hope will be a time of disappearing as well. Hanukkah was the event and Season of the final division among Jerusalem people. "Who do you say that I am?" It commenced the beginning of the great divide, the separation between the believers and the enemies which division was finalized by His rejection by the Temple authorities, His arrest, and execution at Passover several months later. According  to The Gospel of John, Hanukkah was the season for final decisions for Jerusalem residents for against Him before His death. John 10:28. "No one can snatch them away from me." This is harpazo, related to the seizure of the believers at The Blessed Hope. 

   Will Hanukkah be The Season of the great Division, the Separation,  The Blessed Hope in 2012? When did The Master disappear from the midst of His enemies? Was it early, mid, or late Hanukkah? John Chapter 10 does not tell us. The earliest He would have been at Solomon's Porch would seem to have been the day portion of Hanukkah day 1, not Hanukkah Eve. The Book of Revelation states that after the door is opened into Heaven, He is standing in the midst of the menorah. That would be in the midst of the 7 lamps, probably servant lamp number 4. The midst of Hanukkah is day 4 of the 8 days, which will be 12-10 to 11. Does John 10 give us the number of the day of The Blessed Hope this month of December? In this unfolding Advent Season approaching Hanukkah 2012, may we each daily pray, for preparing the way for the coming of the Lord!

 

With Love and Shalom,

Jean