(2) The principle of preservation also holds great significance in Chanukah with respect to the Messiah. In Chanukah, two things are preserved. The Holy Temple and the people of Israel. The Holy Temple being preserved was necessary because it represented the redemptive purposes of God that were fulfilled in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). As long as the Temple stood there remained an expectation of Messiah to come and fulfill God's redemptive plan. The scriptures also point out that the Temple represented Yeshua (Jesus). For Yeshua (Jesus) likened himself to the Temple saying, 

"Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up again" (John 2:19 JNT).

The preservation of the people of Israel was the means by which God preserved the prophetic promises of Messiah's coming. One of these prophetic promises is found in Micah 5:1. It says, 

"And you, O Bethlehem of Ephrath, least among the clans of Judah, from you one shall come forth to rule Israel for me - one whose origin is from of old, from ancient times" (Micah 5:1 TNK).

It is evident that the Messiah had to come from the clan or tribe of Judah. When considering this fact, light is shed on the importance of Chanukah in the plan of God. One must consider that if the people of Israel were not preserved, then there would not be a Messiah to bring salvation from sin. The Messiah had to come from the people of Israel. 

Another point that must be noted is that Messiah celebrated Chanukah - the Feast of Dedication. Look at John 10:22-23. 

"Then came Chanukah (the Feast of Dedication) in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). It was winter, and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo's (Solomon's) Colonnade" (John 10:22-23 JNT).

Therefore, the celebration of Chanukah is significant to the believer because it points to the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) who has brought fulfillment to all that it represents.

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