From Water to Wine: The Transformation Leading Up to the Final Hour by Pastor Louwtjie Kilian
The wedding at Cana: The first sign of God's final plan John 2: 1-11. So often this miracle of turning water into wine is often read as a charming anecdote. Jesus coming to the rescue of a host from social embarrassment and showing a kindness at a celebration while under the surface there lies something much deeper.
This was not just another wedding and not just another miracle.
This was the first public sign Jesus performed, and in the Gospel of John 2:11, he calls it a sign and not a miracle. It pointed beyond just a miracle. It revealed not only His power but His purpose. It acts as a symbolic pointer to the Marriage between God and His people, the restoration and transformation of creation.
Marriage as a Prophetic Symbol
In the Old test Marriage is often used metaphorically to describe the covenant relationship between God and His people. Isaiah 62:4-5: Your land will be married as a Bridegroom rejoice over his bride so will your God rejoice over you. Hosea also uses this image of a broken marriage to describe Israel's unfaithfulness and God's promise of restoration. So, the first miracle at Cana was not accidental. It symbolically connects God's covenantal love and points forward to the Marriage supper of the Lamb as per Rev 19.
Symbol of transformation: Turning water into wine. Water was used for Jewish purification rituals. Here we find Jesus turning water into wine, a symbol of joy, abundance and a new covenant blessing. A fulfillment of the Old Covenant (Law) in the new (Grace).
The Eschatological Wedding Feast yet to Come. At the wedding in Cana Jesus was referring to the final marriage supper of the Lamb Rev 19:7-9 and this aligns with Jesus as the bridegroom John 3:29 and the Kingdom being likened to a wedding feast. The miracle sign at Cana is more than a sign of divine power as it prophetically points to the renewal of creation, the union of heaven and earth and God's joyful covenant with His people. It reflects a time when desolate land and people are restored, fruitful and joined to God in Covenant love forever.
Religion cannot contain revival and flesh cannot inherit the Kingdom. The 6 clay jars represent the body of man, form from the earth, hardened by time, shaped by religion and traditions but empty of the glory of God. six is the number of man and man's systems are coming to their end. the 6 jars also symbolically refer to the 6000 years of man being on earth.
We are in the sixth day of prophetic time - a time when man exalts himself, build towers mega churches. systems and kingdoms in his own name trusting the riches and the gold just as it stands written in Rev 3:16-17…. sadly, religion and traditions can never contain revival for flesh cannot inherit the Kingdom.
In John 2:6 we read that there were six clay jars which was used for purification of the Jews (washing of hands and feet) each containing 20 gallons of water 6 x 20 =120 the number 120 gallons are not random, they are a prophetic countdown 120 = the limit of old then comes death and at death a new beginning a doorway to the new.
God instructed Noah to build the Ark, which took him120 years to complete. 120 years preparing for judgement …. from judgement to the new beginning after the flood. In Deuteronomy 34:7 we read about the death of Moses the Law giver who died at the age of being 120 years old when death stepped in and Joshua(Yeshua) leads Israel into The Promised Land. Again a transformation from the old to the new. This is not just history, this is prophecy.
Moses represents the Law, the old system and man’s strength. Joshua (same name as Yeshua/Jesus) represents grace, leadership by the Spirit and entrance into the promised land. At the end of 120 cycle, the law gives away to the Spirit and Joshua/ Yeshua leads His people home.
2 Chronicles 5 :12-14, looking at the 120 priests blowing the trumpets after they slaughter 11,000 cattle and 22,000 sheep, thy priest then took the blood of these animals to be poured out on the Mercy seat in the Holy of Hollies by the High Priest. Repentance brings the glory which filled the temple of Solomon so strong that 120 priests were slain.
Again, a transformation the glory which departed now returned a new beginning. There were 120 disciples in the upper room as per Acts 1 as long as 10 days, repenting and preparing for something to come.
Suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind. (Acts 2:1-4). The return of the Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father. Once again, a transformation took place the birth of the Church. The New Testament era has arrived, from the period of the Law given to Moses at Mount Sinai to the out pouring of the Holy Spirit on Mount Zion.
So, what are we waiting for? The end of the final 120 years transformation. The final trumpet, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. The Call up as per Revelation 4:1-3, the Rapture of the Church, the transformation of our bodies 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, when we will receive our heavenly bodies and meet Jesus the Christ in the clouds to be with Him forever.
Starting with John 1:14: And the word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us, the One who at the appointed time would shed His blood (Wine the symbol of His blood) for us. Wine as a symbol of His blood is deeply entrenched throughout scripture.. At the Last supper Jesus Himself took the wine and said “This is My blood of the covenant" so in the case of the wedding in Cana where Jesus turned the water (Ephesians 5:26 washing with water through the word) into wine(blood) it points to the transformation of Jesus (The Word) becomes Blood (wine).
The Best Wine Kept For Last. A Prophetic Fulfillment
So the master of the feast says: ‘You have saved the best wine for last.’ Prophetically seen, this is a pointer to the New Covenant yet to come, a transformation from the works of Law to Grace given to us through the completed work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and the shedding of His blood (wine).
This is superior to the Old Covenant of the Law for the new is saved by grace and the shedding of His blood. The old was water for external washing of the flesh. The new wine is for internal transformation. (Colossians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17).
This is also a pointer to the Last days and the final great move of God as per Joel 2:28 and Acts 2. In the last days (saving the best wine for last) I will pour our my Spirit.
The Timing: My Hour Has Not Come. Jesus said to Mary: "My hour has not yet come.” Yet He still performed the miracle. My hour refers His crucifixion; this meaning Jesus is already pointing to the Cross.. The hour His blood will truly be poured out.
The Prophetic Picture Of Redemption
The miracle at Cana is a prophetic picture of the cross and the completed work of Jesus Christ pouring out the best wine, His redemption blood.
The water - Word
The wine - His redemption blood
A wedding - Covenant
The best for last - New Covenant Fulfillment
Shalom, Past Louwtjie Kilian (Lorraine Full Gospel Church).