A vision given to Catherine Brown, Scotland Email:CBrownds1@aol.com

The Lord in His loving kindness has recently graced me with a number of visions that I believe have relevance to the land and the people of Israel, this being the first of four. The Festival of Hanukah was given by the Holy Spirit as specific to the interpretation of the first vision - this may be with regard to symbolism and/or timing of the vision. The Festival of Hanukah will be celebrated this year on December 4, 1999.

The Festival of Hanukah is celebrated by the Jewish people, to remember the military achievement of the Maccabbees and their successful fight for independence from their much larger foe the Greeks. It also remembers the liberation of Jerusalem and the reclaiming of the temple from its defilement by the Greeks.

The celebration of Hanukah focuses on the lighting of the menorah (lampstand). Most modern menorahs have nine branches (with a shammash, or helper candle). The correct number of candles is placed in the menorah, beginning at the right. Each subsequent night you add one candle, starting at the right and moving left. After the candles are set, you light the shammash, the helper candle, which usually has a distinct place on the menorah apart from other candles. Before lighting the candles specific blessings are recited. Hanukah is also a time of reconciliation

THE VISION OF THE GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

The Lord stood before me, and as I gazed upon Him He was illumined in a beautiful, translucent Light. His whole being emanated a glorious Light that shone as a diamond. In His hands He held two golden lampstands. One hand held a seven-branch menorah (6 +1 lampstand), in which the candles were all lit. In the other hand He held a nine branch menorah (8 + 1 lampstand), in which the candles were, as yet, unlit.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?" "Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord, my God, You are very great; You are clothed in glory and majesty, wrapped in a robe of light; You spread the heavens like a tent cloth."

" Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light for my path." "The precepts of the Lord are just, rejoicing in His heart, the instruction of the Lord is lucid, giving light to my eyes."

For the commandment is a lamp, and the Torah is a light. Enlighten our eyes in Your Torah, attach our heart to Your commandments, unite or heart to love and revere Your name. (Ps 27:1; 104:1-2; 119:105; 19:9; Prov 6:23; traditional prayer book)

This first part of the vision speaks of the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) as the Light of the World.

As I continued to gaze upon His loveliness, the Lord was transformed before my eyes and He became a Holy Fire. His hair was as white as snow, and His eyes blazed as fire. His garments had become flames of fire, and I understood that in His grace and mercy the Lord was permitting me to look on Him arrayed in His perfect Holiness. I believe I was being permitted to see the Lord as both Merciful and Righteous Judge. The days are coming when the Lord's righteous judgements will be released on the earth. The Spirit gave the Scripture 2 Peter 3:9, 10, which confirms both of these aspects of the Lord's nature.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare."

The Lord held aloft the two golden lampstands. He looked on the lit menorah (6 + 1) and the flames of the candles were gently extinguished. He then breathed on the other menorah (8 +1) and the candles of its branches were instantly set alight. This brought the Lord a deep and immeasurable joy and pleasure that resonated in my own spirit.

(The Hanukah menorah or chanukiya has eight branches plus one - this is the menorah that was lit in the vision) The temple menorah has six plus one).

The Hanukah menorah in the vision is symbolic of the children of Israel as a light to the Gentiles:

"Thus saith God the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread the earth and what it brings forth, who gave breath to the people upon it and life to those who walk thereon: I the Lord, in My Grace, have summoned you, and I have taken you by the hand. I created you, and appointed you a covenant-people, a light to the nations - Opening eyes deprived of light, rescuing prisoners from confinement, from the dungeon who sit in darkness." Is 42:5-7

"I am the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I the Lord do all these things." Is 45:7

"I will lead the blind by a road they did not know, and I will make them walk by paths they never knew. I will turn darkness before them into light, rough places into level ground. These are promises - I will keep them without fail." Is 42:16

The lighting of the nine branch (Hanukah) menorah is symbolic of the spiritual awakening of the remnant chosen by grace - the elect - the children of Israel.

"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

"The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."

As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." Ro 11:25-32

The number seven represents completion, the number eight being one greater represents the eternal. The eighth day of Hanukkah is the essence of Hanukkah and a reminder of the Light of Yeshua (Jesus) who is the Light of the world.

Catherine Brown 11 August 1999