Table of Contents
This lesson covers the figurative meanings of the vine, wine, and wineskins mentioned in the Bible. The vine represents the pastor/teacher and the chosen people. The wine symbolizes the word of God – the old wine refers to the previous revelation (like the Law of Moses at Jesus’ first coming), while the new wine is the newly revealed word for the current era.
Wineskins represent the containers to hold the wine, which are the hearts of people. Jesus warned against putting new wine into old wineskins, as the new revelation cannot be properly contained in minds still clinging to the old traditions. At each new revelation, there is a transition from the old wineskins (those stuck in the old ways) to new wineskins (those accepting the new truth).
The lesson also warns against the “maddening wine” or false teachings that intoxicate people and prevent them from discerning the true new revelation when it comes. This poisonous wine came from the Pharisees at Jesus’ first coming, and will come from a symbolic “prostitute” at the second coming, making all nations spiritually drunk. The solution is to receive only the pure revealed word, not tainted by human commentaries or traditions.
Secrets of Heaven: Figurative New Wine and New Wineskins
In the previous lesson, we explored the figurative flesh and blood of the Lamb, part two.
This lesson will serve as a relatively continuation of that, as we’ll be examining the figurative wine. And what’s crucial about the wine, let me emphasize at the outset, we’re not discussing literally consuming actual wine, okay? I’m certain, and this arises every time, some students inquire, and so, is it permissible to drink or abstain from drinking, correct?
So, this is typically how I respond in that regard, right, but what we’re discussing is not related to literally drinking wine but is more connected to the spiritual wine. However, we’ll address the question about drinking literally, and this is just a wise suggestion that we receive from King Solomon.
Proverbs 31:4-5
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
It is not appropriate for kings, who are leaders of the people, to indulge in drinking. The reason is that when someone is intoxicated, it compromises their decision-making ability. It becomes much easier for someone to commit sins when they are under the influence of alcohol.
Therefore, it is strongly suggested to limit your alcohol consumption to avoid making mistakes that can adversely affect others. As stated in verse 5, a king might deprive people of their freedoms due to a lack of sound judgment. There is an interesting aspect to this as well.
This principle is also mentioned for spiritual leaders in the book of 1 Peter.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
You know, you are a royal priesthood, those who have been called, like spiritual kings or leaders. As you are learning the revealed word today, you are stepping into that role as ones who have received that new word, which others may not have yet received.
It will be your job, as those receiving the new word, to help others receive that same word by re-understanding the mindset.
Okay, with that question addressed, let’s actually talk about figurative wine, which is very different than literal wine.
Figurative New Wine and New Wineskins
Today, we will understand what a “wineskin” is. Our aim is to become new wineskins and avoid “maddening wine,” which is crucial.
How can we transform into new wineskins? And how can we steer clear of maddening wine? These are the questions we will explore.
Main Reference
Revelation 6:5-6
5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”
In the Book of Revelation, particularly Chapter 6, numerous significant events are unfolding. Certain special types of angels, possessing great authority, are mentioned; we’ll explore these angels in detail shortly. However, one of these angels issues a command, stating, “Do not damage the oil and the wine.”
It is crucial to comprehend the significance of the oil and the wine that the angel instructed not to harm in the Book of Revelation. Today, we shall delve into the symbolism of the wine, and in our next lesson, we will examine the oil. For now, let us focus our attention on the wine.
Let us now endeavor to understand the logical process behind the creation of wine.
Figurative Vine
1. Physical characteristics of Vine and Wine
Wine follows a specific process. It originates from grapes that undergo fermentation. Grapes, in turn, grow on vines. And where are vines typically cultivated? In the ground. However, when you have a collection of vines in a cultivated area, it is called a vineyard.
1. So, the process of wine production begins with a vineyard. Within the vineyard, vines grow. These vines produce the fruit called grapes. And when these grapes undergo fermentation, they yield wine.
In essence, the vineyard is the starting point. Vines grow in the vineyard, and these vines bear grapes. Finally, the grapes are fermented to produce wine.
2. Wineskins are just containers for wine, the Old Testament containers for wine. However, you should be thinking about all containers. This makes sense because we’ve studied containers in the past. What is a container? What is a spiritual container, bowl, or vessel? What is a figurative bowl or container?
A person’s heart is supposed to be a container.
3. Drunk people often claim they aren’t drunk.
I don’t have much experience with the drinking culture of being drunk, and it’s not something I’ve pondered before, nor do I intend to. However, I have been around many people who drink quite often. During my college days—a strange time—I met individuals who had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol. You would hear them say crazy things: “I’m fine. I can drive home. I’m fine; I can do this. I’m fine; I can do that. I’m not that drunk. What do you mean?” And you would think, “Oh, they’re about to collapse.” But they often don’t realize or claim that they are drunk. Guess what, the same thing happens spiritually.
So, we’re going to ensure that we maintain a sober mind spiritually in the right way. Keep these physical characteristics in mind.
2. Spiritual (True) Meaning of Vine
John 15:1
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
Jesus said, “I am the True Vine, and my Father is the gardener,” highlighting his unique position. He proclaimed himself to be the true vine.
Vines produce grapes from their branches. Therefore, when Jesus declared, “I am the true vine,” it was necessary for him to specify that he is the “true” one. Why? Because a falsehood also exists. If something is not true, then it is false, right? Thus, Jesus needed to clarify that he is the True Vine, distinguishing himself from false vines that also exist.
Keep this in mind: Jesus was a pastor, a teacher, a rabbi of the word. The primary meaning of “vine,” therefore, is a pastor, which aligns well with our discussion on ignited trees—same meaning. The Vine represents a pastor, and later in verse 5, Jesus said, “And you are my disciples.”
In other words, “You, my disciples, are the branches connected to me, and it is your job to go out and bear fruit,” which is what branches do—they grow fruit on them. And fruit represents evangelists or bringing others to be connected to Jesus, as the disciples were. Does this logic make sense to everyone?
The Vine represents a pastor. But the Vine also has another meaning. Let’s explore this meaning now. We’ll turn to the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 5:1-7
1 I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard:
My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.
2 He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines.
He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well.
Then he looked for a crop of good grapes,but it yielded only bad fruit.
3 “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.
4 What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it?
When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?
5 Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard:
I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed;
I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled.
6 I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there.
I will command the clouds not to rain on it.”
7 The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel,
and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in.
And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.
A Song of God’s Vineyard.
Is the song good? No, it’s not good. This is a lament of God about His house, the House of Israel, who have now—what? They did not produce good grapes. So, let’s think about it like this: God, who is our Shepherd that we shall not want, has given everything to the vineyard. Like a farmer carefully cultivating the land, making sure there’s plenty of water and ensuring ample sunlight falls on it. A farmer does all that work with the hope that the fruit, the trees, or the vines, the plants will produce a crop, produce fruit that the farmer can then use.
But what God is saying is, “My Vineyard is only producing bad grapes.”
So, things are not going well with His vineyard. God’s Vineyard, as it says in verse 7, is the House of Israel, and the vines within that Vineyard are the men of Judah, or you can call them the Chosen People.
So, the second meaning of vines is the chosen.
What are these vines producing? And at the end of verse 2, what did God say they were producing?
Bad fruit or bad grapes. So, what does it mean that they were producing bad fruit or bad grapes?
Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Jesus is making an important point about false prophets or false teachers. The distinguishing factor to discern whether someone is true or false is their fruit.
How do you determine that? What is the process?
Logistically, if you’re trying to determine if someone is a false prophet, you must first listen.
Then, check with the Scriptures to discern, as mentioned in Acts 17:11 or Job 34:3-4. One must listen, which is what Jesus was saying, and then determine or check the Scriptures, and test the spirits, as stated in 1 John 4:1.
These are verses we looked at the beginning of the class, so hopefully, we’re familiar with them.
So, how do you determine the bad fruit or what is the bad fruit that God said these people were producing? It was their words, actions, and the people they were producing.
As Jesus said in Matthew 23:15, “You go over land and sea. But all you end up doing is making people twice as much a son of hell as you are.” So you’re making them just like you, and you are already a false vine, a bad vine like the prophecy in Isaiah 5.
This prophecy became true at the time of Jesus’ first coming, which is why He had to say, “I am the True Vine.” You understand why? Because there were many false vines around producing bad grapes, false vines at the time of His first coming, or we can say, wild vines.
We’ll get to that in just a moment. So, like we looked at the physical characteristics, from the vineyard to the vines, vines to grapes, grapes to wine.
Figurative Wine
Isaiah 55:1-3
1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
Isaiah 55 mentions a lot of critical things that God is saying through the prophet Isaiah. Let’s break it down piece by piece, starting with verse one, Isaiah 55:1, which says, “Come, all you who are thirsty. Come to the waters. And you who have no money, come, buy and eat.” How would you buy something without any money? This may not make literal sense, but it holds spiritual significance, which is the point.
God says to the thirsty, “Come and buy.” What does it mean to buy spiritually? The passage explains it.
Let’s revisit verse 2: “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” This echoes much of what Jesus said. And what does He say? “Listen, listen to me and eat what is good.”
Ah, now we understand.
To buy means to listen.
It makes sense. When someone says something questionable, we might say, “I don’t buy it.” We already use this logic in our common vernacular. “I don’t buy it” or “I buy that” means “I don’t accept that” or “I accept that.” God used this logic first. So, what does it mean to buy? It means to listen. He’s saying, “Come listen, without cost, and acquire the food I am giving you.”
In verse three, “Give ear and come to me. Listen that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.” Amen.
What is He saying? “Come and buy what? Come and buy water, wine, and milk,” which spiritually represent spiritual food. And we know what spiritual food is, right? We’ve covered figurative food. Spiritual food is the Word.
“Come and listen to the Word.” And how should we listen to the Word? Freely, without cost.
This is how the Word should always be delivered. “Freely you have received; freely give.” So, if someone has to pay money to listen to the Word, is that a true word? It should be given freely.
“Come listen to the Word and receive it.” Why? Because it will give life, for the Word is like spiritual food, as Deuteronomy 8:3 and Deuteronomy 32:2 state: “My teachings fall like rain and my words descend like dew.” Let’s explore further how wine is referred to as the Word.
Isaiah 25:6-8
6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.
What is it that comes out from this mountain? Well, first, a special event takes place on this mountain. A banquet occurs on this mountain, and what does God say about this banquet?
At this banquet, the finest wine from this mountain will be served.
Wine that technically tastes better is wine that has aged well, right? A wine gets better with age, apparently. That’s how it works, I guess. So, yes, wine gets better with age, so that aged wine is considered finer wine. And it comes out of this mountain.
We know, of course, that this is a parable.
So, where is the mountain from which this aged wine is coming, and what does it mean that fine wine is coming from this mountain?
In order to understand this, we need to look at the context of time so that we can truly comprehend the difference between that fine wine that was promised by God and the wine that has always been around, the wine that people are accustomed to.
Where is the wine stored?
Reminder:
Wine = The Word
Vine is a Pastor, and also, vines are the chosen people. The wine represents the word.
So then, where should the wine be stored? Where should it be placed? It should be placed in a proper wineskin.
3. Figurative Wineskin
A wineskin is a type of container, so let me illustrate what a wineskin looks like. The key difference is its shape; it’s typically made from an animal skin and wrapped in leather. It resembles a small liquid container, with a form similar to this: [illustration of a wineskin-like shape].
This is what a wineskin looked like historically.
Now, let’s understand how Jesus used this parable to describe how one should contain the word and what needs to happen to someone in order to be able to contain the word.
Luke 5:37-39
37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’”
Let’s examine the analogy that Jesus presented here: New wine plus old wineskin equals burst. An old wineskin cannot contain the new wine. What is the proper equation? New wine plus new wineskin equals good.
Reminder:
New Wine + Old Wineskin = Burst
New Wine + New Wineskin = Good
Why?
4. Old Wine versus New Wine at First and Second Coming
First Coming Era
Old Wine
When you’re looking at the old wine, consider this: When the word is newly given, it is just wine. However, over time, it becomes old wine. And it is specifically old when a new wine is given; then there’s a distinction between old and new wine. So, if we’re at the time of Jesus’ first coming, what was the word that people were accustomed to drinking? At the time when Jesus departed, what was the word that people were receiving, or the things that they were supposed to keep?
Whose word were the people following?
The law of Moses.
At the time of Jesus’ first coming, the law of Moses was the word that people were used to having. “This is what I keep; this is what I follow. Who is this new person telling us to do new things?”
Does this make sense?
John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
There are two important points to consider: a distinction between two different eras, because Jesus signified the beginning of a new era. Until Jesus arrived, the people were following the law of Moses.
However, when Jesus appeared, things changed, and now, people were meant to receive grace and peace. Nevertheless, people did not adhere to Jesus’s grace and peace initially. It was very hard for them at first. The reason for this was because all of the people were like old wineskins.
Old Wineskins
So, who were the old wineskins? Let’s particularly think about those who had the job of delivering that word. They were the priests of the Old Testament, priests of the Old Testament law, and their job was to deliver what they had received from Moses. However, what they did not do a good job of realizing was when their job would come to an end. Then it was their job to pass the reign. They did not realize that this was something they had to do. So, they held on to their authority. When the true king appeared, they were unwilling to release the people to him.
Even John the Baptist struggled with this a little bit. Interestingly, he still had disciples even after Jesus had come.
Luke 16:16
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.
The law and the prophets were in effect until John. This means that John the Baptist represented the end of the old era, the Old Guard. Jesus was ushering in something new.
New Wine
Let’s now examine what Jesus introduced during His first coming.
At that time, Jesus brought the new wine, the new word that people were supposed to keep. What word did Jesus bring during His first coming? The word of life. And what are the details about that word of life? What was Jesus able to do? Prophecy and fulfillment. We’ll call it the revealed word or the opened word. Same meaning, everyone. Revealed or opened word.
And what was that Old Testament prophecy and fulfillment? That’s why everyone was like, “What is this?” in Mark 1:27. “A new teaching and with authority.” Yes, it was a new teaching. And Jesus was able to explain all the Old Testament scriptures concerning Himself, something that no one else could do.
So, if you were someone at that time, you had to make a decision. Not an easy one, but a necessary one. Do I continue with those who have always been teaching me the law? Or do I go with this new one who is bringing something new? Right, a hard decision, but one that had to be made.
This is why Jesus said that the distinction between old wineskins and new wineskins was significant. Not everyone was willing to make that change.
Most people insisted on sticking with the old wine. So, who were the ones that were able to make that change?
New wineskins
Jesus and the twelve disciples were the new wineskins. When they heard the word that Jesus taught, they realized there was nowhere else for them to go, for Jesus had the words of eternal life, as mentioned in John 6:68. Simon Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
They had made the decision to become new wineskins and received that new word from Jesus, which meant they had to dump out all the old word to make room for the new word. They could not hold on to what they had always had because they realized these two things were not compatible.
The word they were receiving from the priests of the Old Testament law had two oddities to it, oddities that they didn’t really realize at first. But now, as Jesus was speaking, they were realizing, “Oh yeah, that’s actually kind of weird. Why do we do it like that? Why do they always insist on this? Oh, man’s traditions.” They didn’t realize it until Jesus said something. That was what was going through the minds of the disciples and those early Christians who decided to follow him. And they made that distinction.
Following this logic, let us now look at the second coming.
Second Coming Era
Remember, what defines something as new wine or old wine is time. The question is, how long has it been since Jesus spoke these words? It has been two thousand years.
Old Wine
So, what is the old wine for us today? It is the gospel at the time of the first coming. Now, our old wine is the Old Testament prophecy and its fulfillment. Because most people are currently drinking only the old wine, thinking they are drinking the best stuff, without considering what God and Jesus are doing today.
However, this old wine has a really important role: to spread the gospel of the First Coming. Without it, no one would be expecting or even know that Christ said he has to come once more, as mentioned in Matthew 24:14.
This gospel of the First Coming will spread around the whole world, and then the end will come. This was critically important because without the old wine, we wouldn’t know about Christ in the first place – a very important task.
Old Wineskins
A new wine has emerged, and there are things we must do now, accordingly. Who are the old wineskins that only look at the old wine? What would you call those who deliver only the old wine today?
The pastors of today.
Here is the distinction I want us to understand and make until it is time for the new word to be taught. We have to ensure that people comprehend the old wine. That’s the job of someone who holds a leadership position, to teach this faithfully and correctly. But unfortunately, after years and years, and Satan’s subtle influences, this word that was once pure from Jesus begins to become slightly corrupted, a little bit distorted. And that’s the problem for those who need to discern when the new wine appears. Am I drinking pure, old wine, or am I drinking something that has become tainted? And we’ll discuss that in just a moment.
The pastors of today predominantly deliver only the first coming gospel.
New Wine
What is the new wine being referred to?
The new wine represents the newly revealed or newly opened word, the word that has been unveiled in our present time. It is the New Testament, the prophecies, and their fulfillment.
This new wine, this newly uncovered understanding of the word, is what people need to be imbibing and embracing today.
Luke 22:18-22
18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!”
This is a very important point. What did Jesus say? ‘I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes, when my Father’s Kingdom becomes a reality here. When the things I promised begin to take place, that’s when the new wine will appear, and people will be able to drink it with me once again.’ Now, of course, I’m speaking spiritually. Let’s examine how Jesus expresses the same passage in Matthew 26:29.
Matthew 26:29
I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
When I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom, when it has returned, then we will be able to drink the new wine that I have promised. Now, the old wine, the pure old wine, and the new wine will work together to convey a complete story of what is happening.
Bear in mind, I am referring to pure old wine, but pure old wine is rare to find. It was definitely scarce during the first coming. In fact, so scarce that it was impossible to obtain because, over time, people had added to and subtracted from it. That is what transpired the first time.
New Wineskins
Who are the ones that received the new wineskins? Who are these people? I should not be looking at just a few of them. I do not know for certain, but perhaps I am looking at some new wineskins. No, we had better be new wineskins ourselves. Yes, we better be.
New Wineskins
Revelation 10:8-11
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” 10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
We must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings. We’re reading this from the perspective of the Apostle John, who was seeing in a vision an angel from heaven holding an open scroll in his hand. We’ve gone over this before, right?
The open scroll represents that which Jesus opens, that which God gave him, right? That same word is given to John in his job to give it to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings—the word that he receives. But guess what? The word that he receives is sweet in his mouth like honey.
However, when it hits his stomach, it turns sour. Why? Let’s think about it. When you look at the prophets of old, like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Jonah, how did they initially react when God came to them and told them to do something new? “What? You want me to do what?”
Moses too, right? “I don’t know if I’m up for this task, God. Because these people are something else. They might kill me.” Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah talk about how, for example, they were stunned for weeks. They just couldn’t move. They were overwhelmed by what God had asked them to do.
The same thing happened to John. If you realize what he had to do, what he had to deliver, he was overwhelmed. But no, he still had to do his job. So the John that comes at the time of the second coming will be built the same way that the Apostle John was.
Okay, so we’ve broken down old wine and new wine again. Old wine is not bad; it’s just old. But what happens when things are old? People tend to add and subtract to it; that’s the problem. So we need new wine to refresh things.
Reminder:
Era | Old Wine | Old Wineskins | New Wine | New Wineskins |
First Coming | The Law of Moses (John 1:17) | Priests of Old Testament Law (Luke 16:16) | Revealed open word of OT P+F
Mark 1:27 |
Jesus and the 12 Disciples
John 6:68 |
Second Coming | Gospel of First Coming (OT P+F, Matthew 24:14) | Pastors of Today | New Revealed open NT P+F
Luke 22:18-20 |
New John and Us!
Rev 10:8-11 Rev 1:3 |
5. Wild Vines → Maddeining Wine
The third type of wine is the maddening wine, or wild vines that they produce.
Deuteronomy 32:31-33
31 For their rock is not like our Rock, as even our enemies concede.
32 Their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah.
Their grapes are filled with poison, and their clusters with bitterness.
33 Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras.
The enemy discovers and the wild vines yield venomous, poisonous wine. This venomous and poisonous vine intoxicates people. When they become intoxicated, they lose the ability to discern right from wrong.
Jeremiah 51:7
Babylon was a gold cup in the Lord’s hand; she made the whole earth drunk.
The nations drank her wine; therefore they have now gone mad.
.
Keep Babylon in mind. Although this is from the book of Jeremiah, we know that God does not say anything by accident. The text mentions the wine that Babylon makes all nations drunk. It does not say some nations; it explicitly states that all nations have become drunk on this wine.
So, how was this fulfilled at the time of the first coming?
Who were the ones giving the maddening wine that made people drunk during that period?
First Coming
The Pharisees and the Sadducees provided a corrupt teaching that intoxicated the people’s minds. As stated in Matthew 23:33, “Serpents, you brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” Their teachings were lies and false traditions. These falsehoods made the people, during the first coming, They were spiritually drunk, unable to discern the new truth that had appeared in their time.
Remarkably, the same phenomenon is occurring during the time of the Second Coming. The people are being intoxicated by corrupt teachings, preventing them from recognizing the new truth that has manifested.
Second Coming
Revelation 17:1-5
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery:
babylon the great
the mother of prostitutes
and of the abominations of the earth.
According to the book of Revelation, at the time of its fulfillment, a prostitute will emerge.
This prostitute will intoxicate the kings and inhabitants of the earth with her maddening wine. Moreover, she will be a mother, which implies that she will give birth to more prostitutes who will, in turn, intoxicate more people. This intoxication will spread like wildfire during the time of the second coming.
The question arises: What is the nature of this maddening wine that she disseminates throughout the world?
Revelation 18:2-3
2 With a mighty voice he shouted:
“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
The merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries, and it made all nations drunk.
Here’s the thing: when we read the Bible, we sometimes do not see ourselves. But it says “all nations,” which means there are no exceptions. All nations. Every time, what are they drunk on? No one claims to be drunk willingly. Who would admit to that? It has to be revealed to people. All nations. And it says that the prostitute sits on many waters, which are explained as peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.
Or as Revelation 10:8-11 states: peoples, nations, languages, and kings. And we know what a spiritual king is, right? One who has the job of leading God’s people. All nations are drunk. So, what are they drinking? A big statement is coming up. Are you ready? What is it that many people drink, having made something wrong, and they become more confused than before? A little term called commentaries.
How many commentaries are there? Thousands and thousands. Limitless, all saying different things, making everyone drunker than before. And some are so bold as to put their commentaries into Bibles and call them Study Bibles. And now, someone is considering their opinion equal to the word of God.
I’m going to say this strongly: if you have a study Bible, toss it. Now is the time to toss it and just get yourself a pure Bible with nothing else in it. Just the word. It’s like seawater.
Memorization
John 15:1
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
Luke 5:38
No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
Instructor Review
Summary
The new wine represents the newly revealed word, and the new wineskins are the promised Shepherd and his disciples. In each era, those receiving that new word are also included. The promised Shepherd, like Jesus, had to combat the false vines that had appeared at that time, who were only giving false grapes. At that time, these bad grapes were making everybody drunk. But God said, “Come, buy all those who are thirsty,” which means listen.
And listen to the water, wine, and milk that is coming from the one that I send. Why? Because this will be the finest wine, the vine that renews you. Better than the old wine of old. So, the vine represents the pastor and the chosen people. The wine is the word. The wineskin is where the word needs to be contained, like our heart.
During the first coming, the old wine was the law of Moses. The word that had been around for a long time, but people were used to it when they were not used to the revealed word. So instead, they stuck to the old wine and refused to receive any new wine. The second coming, right?
The gospel. The first coming is our old wine, and many people know it well, but some people don’t know it so well, which is why we spend a lot of time at the first coming and pass up today, delivering that word of the first coming. But when the time comes, the very word that Jesus promised to come appears, and he expects all of us to receive that word.
But it has to be spoken through someone, right? So the one who is given that word has to then deliver it to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings. The word is sweet in his mouth, but it turns sour in his stomach because of the great responsibility of the job he has been given; that’s like all the prophets of God.
What is the maddening wine that we must combat in our time? It is a wine that makes people drunk. And that comes from those who are like the empty vines or the wild vines that only speak venom and poison. The Pharisees and Sadducees at the first coming taught false truths, lies, and man’s traditions.
And at the second coming, a prostitute appears who gives maddening wines to the kings of the Earth. And they are all drunk from that very same word, trapped in Babylon. All nations, no exceptions. So how do we become sober at this time? It is to only receive the pure revealed word and not men’s thoughts.
Let’s Us Discern
Discernment is still a work in progress …. Proverbs 14:15 (ESV)
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
Analysis
Questions to Self-Reflect
Outline
Outline: Figurative New Wine and New Wineskins
Introduction
- Brief discussion emphasizing the lesson’s focus on figurative, not literal, wine consumption.
- Counsel from Proverbs 31:4-5 and 1 Peter 2:9 advises against excessive alcohol consumption, particularly for leaders.
- Transition to the exploration of figurative wine and its spiritual implications.
Figurative New Wine and New Wineskins
- This section sets the stage for understanding the concept of “wineskins” and their importance in containing “wine,” both in a literal and spiritual sense.
Review
- Recap of the previous lesson on the figurative flesh and blood of the lamb, emphasizing Jesus’s words of life in relation to his first and second coming.
- Discussion of the law as a shadow of Christ, using the analogy of a hand casting a shadow to illustrate how the Old Testament prefigures Jesus.
Main Reference
- Introduction of Revelation 6:5-6, where an angel commands the preservation of oil and wine, highlighting the significance of these elements.
- The focus shifts to understanding the symbolism of wine in this context.
Figurative Vine
1. Physical Characteristics of Vine and Wine
- Outlines the literal process of wine production: vineyard (ground), vines, grapes, fermentation, and wine.
- Introduces the concept of wineskins as containers for wine, emphasizing that in the spiritual sense, a person’s heart is the container.
- Analogy of physical drunkenness is used to illustrate spiritual drunkenness and the need for spiritual sobriety.
2. Spiritual (True) Meaning of Vine
- Examines John 15:1, where Jesus declares himself the “true vine,” distinguishing himself from false vines.
- The first meaning of “vine” is established as a pastor, with disciples as branches bearing fruit (evangelists).
- Isaiah 5:1-7 introduces the second meaning of “vine” as the chosen people (House of Israel, men of Judah).
- Discussion of “bad fruit” (bad grapes) in the context of Matthew 7:15-20, indicating false prophets identified by their words, actions, and followers.
- Emphasis on Jesus as the “True Vine” amidst false vines producing bad grapes at his first coming.
Figurative Wine
- Isaiah 55:1-3 is used to establish the spiritual meaning of “buying” as listening to the Word, which is free and life-giving.
- Isaiah 25:6-8 portrays a banquet on a mountain where the finest aged wine is served, symbolizing the Word.
- Importance of understanding the difference between the promised fine wine and the existing wine of the time.
3. Figurative Wineskin
- Description of a traditional wineskin as an animal skin container that expands with wine.
- Explanation of Jesus’ analogy in Luke 5:37-39 about the incompatibility of new wine and old wineskins.
- The equation: New Wine + New Wineskin = Good is established, while New Wine + Old Wineskin = Burst.
- Review of previous concepts: New Wine = New Revealed Word, New Wineskins = Promised Shepherd and disciples.
- Emphasis on the need for the wineskin (a person’s heart) to be renewed to contain the new wine (Word).
- Philippians 3:4-7 illustrates the transition from an old to a new wineskin by recognizing the surpassing worth of Christ above worldly credentials.
4. Old Wine versus New Wine at First and Second Coming
- This section compares and contrasts the concept of old and new wine across the eras of Jesus’ first and second coming.
First Coming Era
- Old Wine: The Law of Moses (John 1:17)
- Old Wineskins: Priests of the Old Testament Law (Luke 16:16)
- New Wine: Revealed open word of OT prophecy and fulfillment (Mark 1:27)
- New Wineskins: Jesus and the 12 Disciples (John 6:68)
Second Coming Era
- Old Wine: Gospel of the First Coming (OT prophecy and fulfillment, Matthew 24:14)
- Old Wineskins: Pastors of Today
- New Wine: Newly revealed or opened word, New Testament prophecy and fulfillment (Luke 22:18-20)
- New Wineskins: New John and Us! (Revelation 10:8-11, Revelation 1:3)
- Explanation that old wine is not bad, but it can become corrupted over time, necessitating the arrival of new wine for renewal.
5. Wild Vines → Maddening Wine
- Introduction of the third type of wine, maddening wine, produced by wild vines.
- Deuteronomy 32:31-33 describes the venomous and poisonous nature of this wine, causing spiritual intoxication and loss of discernment.
- Jeremiah 51:7 illustrates Babylon using this maddening wine to intoxicate nations.
First Coming
- The Pharisees and Sadducees are identified as purveyors of maddening wine through corrupt teachings and false traditions.
- This spiritual drunkenness prevented people from recognizing the new truth brought by Jesus (Matthew 23:33).
Second Coming
- Revelation 17:1-5 presents a prostitute who intoxicates kings and inhabitants with maddening wine, giving birth to more prostitutes who spread this intoxication.
- Revelation 18:2-3 reveals that all nations become drunk on this maddening wine, which leads to spiritual corruption.
- Commentary is identified as a form of maddening wine in the modern era, leading to confusion and distortion of the pure Word.
Summary
- Recap of key concepts: new wine as the newly revealed word, new wineskins as the promised Shepherd and his disciples, and the importance of receiving the new word.
- Emphasis on the need to discern between pure old wine and corrupted versions, recognizing the significance of the new wine in our time.
- Call to become new wineskins ourselves to receive the new word.
- The dangers of maddening wine, symbolized by false teachings and commentaries, are highlighted, urging readers to rely on the pure revealed word.
A Study Guide
Understanding Figurative Wine and Wineskins: A Study Guide
Short Answer Quiz
Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.
- What are the two primary meanings of “vine” in a spiritual context?
- Explain the analogy of new wine and old wineskins. What does it represent spiritually?
- What is the “old wine” in the era of the Second Coming?
- What does it mean to “buy” something spiritually, according to Isaiah 55:1-3?
- How is the concept of “bad fruit” used to identify false prophets or teachers?
- What is the “maddening wine” and how does it affect people?
- Describe the role of commentaries in relation to the concept of “maddening wine.”
- What is the significance of Jesus’ statement that He will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God comes?
- What is the difference between “pure old wine” and the “maddening wine”?
- What action does the study guide suggest taking in relation to study Bibles?
Answer Key
- The “vine” spiritually represents both the pastor who shepherds the people and the chosen people themselves, those who follow God’s teachings.
- Jesus uses the analogy of new wine and old wineskins to illustrate the need for renewal and transformation when receiving new spiritual truths. Old wineskins, representing rigid hearts or mindsets, cannot contain the potent new wine of God’s revealed word without bursting. New wineskins represent open and receptive hearts prepared to receive and expand with the new word.
- In the era of the Second Coming, the “old wine” refers to the gospel message focused solely on the First Coming of Jesus, including the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. While essential for initial understanding, it represents an incomplete understanding of God’s plan and needs to be supplemented with the “new wine.”
- To “buy” something spiritually means to listen attentively and receive God’s word freely. Isaiah 55 emphasizes that true spiritual nourishment comes not from material wealth but from embracing God’s teachings without cost.
- “Bad fruit” is used to metaphorically expose the true nature of false prophets or teachers. Their words, actions, and the disciples they produce will ultimately reflect their flawed teachings, revealing their lack of alignment with God’s will, as highlighted in Matthew 7:15-20.
- “Maddening wine” symbolizes corrupt teachings and false doctrines that intoxicate people spiritually, clouding their judgment and leading them astray from the truth. This spiritual intoxication renders them unable to discern right from wrong and embrace God’s genuine word.
- Commentaries, while potentially helpful, can contribute to the problem of “maddening wine” by presenting a multitude of conflicting interpretations, confusing readers and diluting the purity of the original biblical text. Relying too heavily on commentaries can lead to spiritual intoxication and a reliance on human opinion rather than God’s direct word.
- Jesus’ statement signifies the arrival of a new era with His Second Coming, marked by the revelation of new spiritual truths symbolized by the “new wine.” This “new wine” represents a deeper understanding of God’s plan for humanity and His kingdom, surpassing the previous understanding based solely on the First Coming.
- “Pure old wine” represents the unadulterated gospel message of the First Coming, vital for understanding God’s plan. However, “maddening wine” symbolizes distorted teachings and human interpretations that pollute the original message, leading to spiritual confusion and misdirection.
- The study guide strongly advises discarding study Bibles and relying solely on a pure Bible containing only the original text. This encourages a direct and unfiltered engagement with God’s word, free from potentially misleading commentaries or interpretations.
Additional Questions
1. What is the spiritual meaning of new wine and new wineskins?
– New wine: new revealed word
– New wineskins: promised shepherd and his disciples
2. How many types of God’s wines are there and what are they?
– Two: Old and New
3. What is Satan’s wine called? Why?
– Maddening wine
– Bad seed (Satan’s) → bad wine (tree) → bad fruit (grapes) → bad wine, aka maddening wine
4. What is the new wine today?
– New revealed (open) Word, New Testament Prophecy and Fulfilment
5. Where and when can you find the new wine?
– In Father’s kingdom at the time of the fulfillment
Glossary of Key Terms
- Vine: Represents a pastor or spiritual leader who guides the people and also symbolizes the chosen people themselves.
- Grapes: Represent the fruits produced by the vine, signifying the results of following God’s teachings. Good grapes symbolize positive outcomes, while bad grapes signify negative outcomes.
- Wine: Represents the Word of God, both in its traditional form and in its newly revealed form.
- Old Wine: Refers to the previously established understanding of God’s Word, such as the Law of Moses in the First Coming era or the gospel of the First Coming in the Second Coming era.
- New Wine: Represents newly revealed spiritual truths and a deeper understanding of God’s plan, challenging the existing understanding based on the old wine.
- Wineskin: Symbolizes the human heart or mindset, which serves as a container for receiving and processing God’s word.
- Old Wineskin: Represents a rigid, inflexible heart or mindset that resists change and struggles to accept new spiritual truths.
- New Wineskin: Represents a receptive, open, and transformed heart willing to embrace and expand with the new wine of God’s revealed word.
- Maddening Wine: Represents corrupt teachings, false doctrines, and spiritual intoxication that lead people astray from the truth, clouding their judgment and hindering their understanding.
- Babylon: Represents a state of spiritual confusion and captivity caused by the influence of “maddening wine” and the prevalence of false teachings.
Breakdown
Timeline of Events
This lesson does not present a chronological timeline of events. Instead, it uses biblical parables and prophecies to explain the relationship between the “old wine” of previous religious teachings and the “new wine” of newly revealed spiritual understanding. It draws parallels between the time of Jesus’s first coming and the present day, suggesting a cyclical pattern of spiritual renewal.
Key Concepts Instead of Events:
- Old Wine: Represents established religious teachings and practices.
- First Coming: The Law of Moses
- Second Coming: The Gospel of Jesus’s First Coming
- Old Wineskins: Represent individuals or groups clinging to outdated interpretations.
- First Coming: Priests of the Old Testament Law
- Second Coming: Pastors focused solely on the First Coming Gospel
- New Wine: Represents newly revealed spiritual understanding.
- First Coming: Jesus’s teachings and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
- Second Coming: New Testament prophecies and their unfolding fulfillment in the present day.
- New Wineskins: Represent those receptive to the new spiritual understanding.
- First Coming: Jesus and his disciples
- Second Coming: A new prophetic figure (“New John”) and those who embrace the new revelation.
- Maddening Wine/Wild Vines: Represent false teachings and corrupt interpretations that lead people astray.
- First Coming: Teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees
- Second Coming: The influence of “Babylon” and reliance on conflicting commentaries.
Cast of Characters
1. Jesus Christ:
- Central figure in the source’s teachings.
- Identified as the “True Vine,” offering the “new wine” of spiritual truth.
- His words and actions, particularly during his first coming, are used to illustrate the need for spiritual renewal and the rejection faced by those who bring new revelations.
2. The Disciples:
- Represented as the original “new wineskins” who accepted Jesus’s teachings.
- Their willingness to embrace the new wine and abandon old ways is presented as a model for contemporary believers.
3. Priests of the Old Testament Law:
- Portrayed as “old wineskins” clinging to outdated practices.
- Their resistance to Jesus’s teachings exemplifies the difficulty of transitioning from old to new spiritual understandings.
4. John the Baptist:
- Represents the bridge between the old and new eras.
- His ministry marked the end of the Old Testament era and prepared the way for Jesus’s arrival.
5. Pharisees and Sadducees:
- Associated with “maddening wine” and “wild vines.”
- They are criticized for spreading false teachings and corrupt interpretations of scripture.
6. Pastors of Today:
- Many are portrayed as “old wineskins” focused solely on the Gospel of the First Coming.
- The source suggests that they may unknowingly perpetuate outdated interpretations.
7. “New John”:
- A prophetic figure anticipated in the Second Coming era.
- Like the Apostle John, this individual will receive and deliver the “new wine” of revealed truth, experiencing both its sweetness and the burden of its responsibility.
8. “Babylon”:
- Represents a corrupting influence in the Second Coming era.
- Its “maddening wine” of false teachings intoxicates the nations, leading them astray from true spiritual understanding.
9. Contemporary Believers:
- The audience addressed by the source.
- They are challenged to become “new wineskins” receptive to the new wine of present-day revelation, avoiding the “maddening wine” of corrupt interpretations and conflicting commentaries.
Overview
Overview: Figurative Wine and Wineskins in the Bible
Main Theme: Understanding the biblical symbolism of wine and wineskins as they relate to the Word of God, spiritual leadership, and the transition between the Old and New Covenants.
Key Ideas & Facts:
- Figurative Meanings:Vine: Represents a pastor (John 15:1) and the chosen people (Isaiah 5:1-7).
- Wine: Represents the Word of God (Isaiah 55:1-3, Isaiah 25:6-8).
- Wineskin: Represents a person’s heart, the container for the Word (Psalm 119:11).
- New Wine vs. Old Wine:Each era has its own “old wine,” representing the established teachings of the time.
- The arrival of a new era brings “new wine” – new revelation and understanding of God’s Word.
- First Coming: Old Wine = Law of Moses; New Wine = Jesus’ teachings & fulfillment of OT prophecies.
- Second Coming: Old Wine = Gospel of the First Coming; New Wine = Revealed understanding of NT prophecies.
- Wineskins and Receptivity:Old Wineskins: Represent individuals clinging to old teachings and resisting new revelation (Luke 5:37-39).
- New Wineskins: Represent those who are open to receiving and embracing the new Word (Luke 5:38, Rev 10:8-11).
- Transitioning to a new wineskin requires letting go of past understanding and valuing the new revelation above all else (Philippians 3:4-8).
- Maddening Wine:Represents corrupt teachings and false doctrines that intoxicate and confuse people (Deuteronomy 32:31-33, Jeremiah 51:7).
- First Coming: Pharisees and Sadducees spreading false traditions.
- Second Coming: The “prostitute” of Babylon (Revelation 17:1-5, 18:2-3), symbolized by excessive reliance on commentaries and “study Bibles,” leading to spiritual confusion.
Important Quotes:
- Proverbs 31:4-5: “It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.” – Highlights the importance of spiritual sobriety for leaders.
- John 15:1: ““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” – Jesus identifies himself as the source of true spiritual nourishment.
- Isaiah 55:1-2: ““Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” – Invitation to receive the Word freely.
- Luke 5:37-38: “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.” – The need for spiritual renewal and openness to new revelation.
- Matthew 26:29: “I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” – Promise of a future time when new wine will be shared in the Kingdom of God.
- Revelation 10:11: “Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” – The call to proclaim the new Word to all nations.
- Revelation 18:3: “For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” – Warning against the intoxicating influence of false teachings.
Key Takeaways:
- The transition from old to new wine represents a necessary process of spiritual growth and renewal.
- We must be willing to let go of outdated understandings and embrace the fresh revelation God provides in each era.
- We must be wary of “maddening wine” – corrupt teachings that can distort our understanding of the truth.
- The true “new wine” is found in the pure, revealed Word of God, received with an open heart and a willingness to be transformed.
Q&A
Figurative Wine and Wineskins Q&A
1. What is the difference between literal and figurative wine in the Bible?
While literal wine is an alcoholic beverage, figurative wine in the Bible symbolizes the Word of God. This spiritual food nourishes our souls and helps us grow in our relationship with God.
2. What do vines and grapes represent figuratively?
- Vines symbolize pastors, those who shepherd and guide God’s people. They also represent the chosen people of God, those who have been called and set apart.
- Grapes represent the fruit that these chosen people produce, which signifies their actions, words, and the people they bring to God.
3. What is a wineskin, and why is it important?
A wineskin is a container for wine, and figuratively, it represents a person’s heart. The heart, like a wineskin, is meant to hold and be transformed by the Word of God.
4. What is the difference between old and new wine?
- Old wine represents the teachings and understandings of the Word of God that have been established for a long time. During Jesus’s first coming, the old wine was the Law of Moses. During the second coming, the old wine is the gospel of the first coming.
- New wine signifies newly revealed or opened word from God. This new understanding builds upon and expands the previous knowledge of God’s Word. For us, the new wine is the New Testament prophecies and their fulfillment.
5. Why can’t new wine be put into old wineskins?
Old wineskins, like hearts that cling to old ways and refuse to change, cannot accommodate the new wine, the new understanding of God’s Word. The new wine requires new wineskins, hearts that are open and willing to be transformed.
6. What is “maddening wine,” and who distributes it?
Maddening wine represents false or corrupted teachings that intoxicate people and lead them astray.
- During the first coming, the Pharisees and Sadducees distributed this maddening wine through their false traditions and legalistic interpretations.
- At the second coming, Babylon the Great, symbolized as a prostitute, spreads maddening wine by promoting worldly desires and distorting God’s Word.
7. How can we avoid being intoxicated by maddening wine?
We can avoid being misled by maddening wine by seeking the pure, revealed word of God and by rejecting teachings that contradict Scripture. It’s important to examine teachings carefully, comparing them to the Bible, and being wary of interpretations that rely heavily on human opinions or commentaries.
8. What is our role as new wineskins in the time of the second coming?
As new wineskins, we are called to:
- Embrace the new wine, the newly revealed understanding of God’s Word, allowing it to transform our hearts and minds.
- Share this new wine with others, helping them break free from the intoxicating effects of maddening wine.
- Prepare ourselves to be vessels for God’s work, just like the Apostle John who received the new word and was called to prophesy to all nations.