As we continue through John chapter two, we will not be disappointed when listening for Divine truth (Zech 7:11)! Today, I want to examine the prophetic significance of Jesus' first miracle.
"And the third day there was a marriage..." (Jn 2:1), so our chapter opens again. The Holy Spirit presents to our view a third day scene. In Scripture, the third day is the day of resurrection (Matt 16:21). It was on the third day that the earth emerged from its watery grave, as it was on the third day the barren earth was clothed with vegetation and fruitfulness (Gen 1:9, 11). There is an important scripture in Hosea 6:2 which should be placed side by side with John 2:1.. It reads, "After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." After two days (2,000 years - see 2 Pet 3:8), He will revive us (quicken us; give us life), and in the third day He will raise us up! Subsequently, we will live in His sight.. Men like to prematurely limit this "raising up" (resurrection) to the saints of God being found in their eternal heavenly abode, but I do not believe this is a responsible interpretation. Why? Because Scripture tells us we are "raised up" together with Him even now (Eph 2:4-6). It isn't until the spiritual third day that such a glorious potential will be experientially appropriated. One Greek word for "coming", as in "the coming of the Lord", is "parousia", which literally means "presence", and primarily references the appearance of the Lord in and upon His people (1 Thess 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thess 2:1; Jas 5:7-8; 2 Pet 3:4; etc). Therefore, Christ's second coming is to be in, upon and through His people first, more and more (2 Cor 3:18), even in the manner of a divine manifestation (Rom 8:18-20; Col 1:27; etc): "For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh" (2 Cor 4:11)! At this expected "parousia", He will indeed "raise us up", and be seen in, upon and through His sons! We, for the most part, are ignorant of this truth, primarily due to the dispensational theology that has been force fed us from the pulpits of preconceived ideas. A detailed study of the "coming of the Lord" will dramatically surprise any serious Bible student, I can assure you! "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming [Parousia]" (1 Jn 2:28).
In short, Jesus' first miracle prophetically displayed the character, glory and purpose of His entire mission: to turn the water of earth into the wine of heaven - to sanctify and redeem a people unto Himself (Eph 5:25-27; 31-32). Interestingly, "Cana" means, "to zealously acquire", and "Galilee" means, "circle or circuit". Who can fail to notice the spiritual density of these verses?! God is zealous to acquire a people, as His very first earthly miracle displayed (Jn 2:11). This miracle possesses a "circular" significance, that is, it will return in like manner (albeit spiritually) in the latter days.
Even as Jesus reserved the best wine for last during the wedding in Cana, so shall He do spiritually with His people in these last days! Even as He had a company of "servants" to administer this "best wine" then, so shall He have in these last days (Rom 8:18-20; Tit 1:1)! Indeed, there is a day coming when, as those stone waterpots (once empty), God's glory will overflow, "and they filled them to the brim" (Jn 2:7). Surely, at this wondrous event, the new wine will flow in greatest measure, and men will indeed be "FULL of new wine" (Acts 2:13). Are you ready?!
Friends, this glorious event is yet upon us.. the prophets attest to it's eschatological imminence: "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month" (Joel 2:23). This references a double portion of rain! Rain in Scripture is always significant of the Word of God (Deut 32:1-3, Isa 55:8-12; etc), and of His outpoured Spirit (Hos 10:12; Jn 7:37-39; Rev 22:1-3; etc). Notice that this rain is to occur "in the first month"... the first month on the Jewish civil calender is actually the seventh month on the sacred calender: the month of perfection! The seventh month contains the Feast of Tabernacles, or the feast of fullness! This is the only corporate spiritual feast that has yet to be restored to the people of God.. we've experienced Passover (1 Cor 5:7); we've walked in Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). We are now progressing toward Tabernacles (Heb 6:19). It is at this event that Jesus will stand in a people: "In the last day, that great day of the feast [of Tabernacles - vs. 2], Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (Jn 7:37-38)! It's at this time when Jesus will fully arise upon His servant sons (Isa 60:1-2).
What a better wine this will be, when the former rain and the latter rain begin to fall together! The whole earth is groaning and waiting! Are you?
The earth is even now "wanting wine" (Jn 2:3), and the day is upon us when they shall be filled! Will you be His vessel?
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