Since we are in the biblical time frame of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, which goes hand in hand with the intensification of God’s glory, for us as God’s people, I would like to address the first sign of glory that Jesus did, where He turned water into wine (cf. John 2:1-11).

 

John 2:1-11:
1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

 

 

The feast of Sukkot is related, among other things, to the giving of oil and wine. This offering is preceded by the phase of harvesting and pressing. It is the process of pressing that passes from a solid substance to a liquid substance. This points to more influence that we receive through His grace and the presence of His glory.

 

It was no coincidence that Jesus chose the transformation of water to wine in the time frame of the first love and covenant between man and woman, because in it there is a great mystery associated with Christ and the ekklēsia – as the Church (cf. Ephesians 5:31-32).

 

Ephesians 5:31-32:
31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” (cf. Genesis 2:24)
32 This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church.

 

According to Revelation 2:1.4-5a, Ephesus was the first addressed church, which should be watchful to abide in the first love in Christ Jesus and not fall apart from it.

 

Revelation 2:1.4-5a:
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. …
3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

 

This reveals to us that Jesus’ love for us was reflected at Cana during a covenant related to marriage between a man and a woman and completed by His death on the cross at Calvary to enable us to walk in the glorious freedom of His Sonship.

 

At the height of the place of the skull, Jesus shed His blood as ‘wine’ for us. This is the greatest expression of God’s love toward us human beings (cf. John 3:16 i.c.w. John 6:48-58; John 19:33-34).

 

John 3:16:
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

John 6:48-58:
48 I am the bread of life.
49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.
50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.
57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

 

John 19:33-34:
33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

 

 

This transformation of water into pleasant-tasting wine points to a higher dimension of His glory, which is reflected in the feast of Sukkot.

 

When we consider the glory of God in its fullness, it is related to the word ‘heaviness’, or the internal human organ of the ‘liver’. The liver is the heaviest internal organ in the human body and is called ‘kābēd’ in Hebrew. This Hebrew word is closely related to the heavy density of God’s glory or honor, which is called ‘kābôd’ (cf. Genesis 45:13; Exodus 16:7; Psalm 7:5).

 

=> The term ‘glory’ describes the perceptible presence, cooperating power and splendor manifested by the appearance of God or His Holy Spirit. It is the presence of the Father, His Son or His Holy Spirit.

 

The glory was more than a shining appearance. It also includes a testimony of the LORD’s favor and grace. The glory was a sign of His splendor as well as receiving the sacrifices of praise from the people who worshiped God in unity.

 

The Hebrew word for glory is ‘kābôd’ or ‘kavod’. The Greek word is ‘doxa’ from which we got the term ‘doxology’ (Note: glorification of God).

 

Glory includes in terms of its appearance, honor, prestige, power and blessing. Regarding all definitions of glory, its goal is to make or establish someone as an important person ‘with weight’ in the spiritual realm.

 

The presence of God brings automatic increase in every area because earthly wealth and prosperity have their seat in the spiritual realm. Glory is an automatic repository of anointing. <= (Note: The text in ‘=>’ is based on a part excerpt from the ‘Prophet’s Dictionary’ by Paula A. Price, Ph. D.; page 237.)

 

So the first wine of the wedding at Cana can be equated with the time frame of Passover. Then the filling of the jars to the brim with water is equating to the time frame of Shavuot/Pentecost in which the LORD poured out His Spirit, among other things.

 

The transformed water into wine, brought to the Master of the Feast on Jesus’ behalf, corresponds to the feast of Sukkot which is associated with the increase of the glory of God.

 

In this context, I consider it as no coincidence that the event of the wedding at Cana begins with the phrase ‘on the third day’, which can be seen in connection with the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His finished work, pouring out His blood and then His Spirit in order to intensify His glory in the lives of those who believe in Him.

 

It is wonderful to notice here that the Hebrew word for ‘wine’ begins twice with the Hebrew letter ‘Jôd’ and is ‘jajin’.

 

The spiritual structure of the Kingdom of God includes the element of water, which is evident from the Hebrew word ‘mamlākāh’ used for the term ‘kingdom’ in the Word of God.

 

In this context, it is revealed that before the throne of God, which is the center of the LORD’s government, is the water of the crystal sea which is affirming (cf. Revelation 4:6a).

 

Revelation 4:6a:
6a Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. …

 

The Hebrew word ‘mamlākāh – kingdom’ begins twice with the Hebrew letter ‘Mem’, which is connected among other things with ‘water’ as well as carries the numerical value ‘40’. The Hebrew word for ‘water’ used in the Word of God is ‘Majim’ and is used exclusively in the plural form. It begins with the Hebrew letter ‘Mem’ and concludes with it at the same time. (Note: part excerpt from the Elberfelder Study Bible on the word ‘mamlākāh – kingdom’ with the word key number 4542).

 

Thus, the end of the wine first distributed from the wedding at Cana, the subsequent filling of the six jars with water, and their transformation into wine points to the various spiritual dimensions of God’s presence. These appear with His three appointed feast cycles (cf. Exodus 23:14-17), which are:

 

These different time phases of the transformation at the wedding at Cana carry in themselves the ‘double’. This is indicated by the preceding double Hebrew letter ‘Jôd’ which is connected with the dimension of ‘wine’ and the preceding double Hebrew letter ‘Mem’ which is used for the dimension of ‘water’.

 

The double stands among other things in connection with acceleration and the divine strength to accomplish an old time and to enter into a new time of God’s blessing (cf. Genesis 41:32 i.c.w. Isaiah 61:7).

 

Genesis 41:32:
32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

 

Isaiah 61:7:
7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

 

 

These two Hebrew letters also carry in themselves a spiritual realm, which is the ‘west’, because these result in the Hebrew word ‘jām’, which is used for ‘west’ but also means ‘sea, lake, stream’.

 

Furthermore, the word is used as an image for the ‘greatness’ and ‘vastness’ as well as the ‘uncountable multitude’ in the Word of God. (Note: part excerpt from the Elberfelder Study Bible concerning the word ‘jām – west’ with the word key number 3297).

 

=> The west is the direction for the setting sun. The setting sun reveals an end to things, a day or a period of time.

 

The west passes to darkness while the east passes to light.

 

The most commonly used Hebrew word for ‘west’ is ‘jām’ and indicates the direction of water because west is associated with large bodies of water such as the seas or oceans.

 

Another Hebrew word for ‘west’ is ‘’ārab’ from which comes the same root word that also means ‘to join, interweave’ or ‘to act in reference to laying an ambush’. <= (Note: The text placed in ‘=>’ is a part excerpt from the ‘Prophet’s Dictionary’ by Paula A. Price, Ph. D.; page 582.)

 

Thus, the first sign of Jesus’ glory, which He performed before God at the time of the covenant (Note: marriage) between man and woman, and which was accompanied by the end of a ‘wine phase’, is a call of the LORD to enter into a deeper level of His presence.

 

This presence is connected to the area of the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, which is located in the west. It is the Holy of Holies, which goes hand in hand with the ‘darkness’ of the LORD, since no usual light shines there (cf. 1 Kings 8:12).

 

1 Kings 8:12:
12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; …”

 

This divine ‘dark realm’ is related to the face of God in the facet of the eagle, as well as the influence of the power of God’s ‘oracles’, Urim and Thummim. Urim means lights and represents revelatory truth and Thummim means justice and represents righteousness which both encompass the work of the Holy Spirit (cf. Exodus 28:30 i.c.w. John 16:7-8.13).

 

Exodus 28:30:
30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.

 

John 16:7-8.13:
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: …
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

 

 

Everyone who wants to dwell in this realm of the face of the eagle, which is the so-called ‘flying realm’, is required to live as walking in undivided trust toward God (cf. Revelation 4:7d i.c.w. Isaiah 40:31).

 

Revelation 4:7d:
… 7d the fourth was like a flying eagle.

 

Isaiah 40:31:
… 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

 

The presence of the flapping of the flying eagle’s wings is accompanied by the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, that are connected to the mystery of God, which is the Anointed One – Christ. In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (cf. Colossians 2:2-3).

 

Colossians 2:2-3:
2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

And also here it is no coincidence at all that with the west is linked the location of the camps of the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin, which carry within them the biblical time frame of autumn.

 

It is the tribe of Ephraim that is connected with the seventh biblical month ‘Tishri|Etanim’ in the cycle of redemption and carries within itself the feasts Rosh ha-Shanah – biblical New Year in the cycle of God’s blessing, Yom Kippur – the great Day of Atonement, Sukkot – the Feast of Tabernacles.

 

Sukkot – the Feast of Tabernacles is related to the visitation of God in the form of the increase of His glory (cf. 1 Kings 8:2.10-11).

 

1 Kings 8:2.10-11:
2 All the Israelites came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month. …
10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord.
11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple.

 

Since Jesus did His first sign of glory in ‘Cana’, which translates as ‘reed’ and the time frame of Sukkot is associated with the giving of oil and wine, this is an encouraging indication to have firm confidence.

 

We are assigned to have this confidence that the LORD will increase in our lives with His glory and will not break us, but rather will pour His glorious presence into us even where there are wounds from the past (cf. Isaiah 42:3 i.c.w. Luke 10:34).

 

Isaiah 42:3:
3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; …

 

Luke 10:34:
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Let us take hold of this glory, which Jesus worked as the first sign, deeper and deeper as to the temporal context of keeping God’s appointments (Note: biblical feasts set for all generations) to experience His greatness and delightful grace.

 

It is this increase of God’s glory in our lives that glorifies the King and strengthens His ekklēsia in all circumstances in such a way that people who pay attention to us and observe our walk in Christ are reached by God’s love.

 

Amen and Amen.

 

In His Wisdom,

 

Daniel Glimm