"At the Last Supper, Jesus shared bread and wine with His disciples, symbolizing His body and blood. During this moment, He held the cup of wine and declared:

[Matthew 26:29]
'I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.'

This statement is not merely about wine but is a deeply spiritual metaphor. However, the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) interprets this passage literally, claiming they fulfill Jesus' prophecy by observing the Passover. This interpretation stems from a misunderstanding of the Bible's core message.

1. The Metaphor of the Fruit of the Vine: Explained in the Gospel of John

To fully understand the meaning of the fruit of the vine mentioned by Jesus, we must examine His teachings in the Gospel of John.

1.1 Jesus as the True Vine

[John 15:1–8]
'I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener... Remain in me, and you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.'

Here, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine to teach how believers can bear spiritual fruit:

• The vine: Represents Jesus Himself.
• The branches: Represent the disciples and believers united with Him.
• The fruit: Symbolizes the spiritual fruit of a believer’s life, including love, good deeds, and a transformed character.

1.2 The Meaning of True Fruit

Jesus emphasized that branches that do not bear fruit are cut off. This underscores that faith is not merely about verbal confession but about bearing fruit through one’s actions that glorify God.

2. The Substance of the Fruit: Spiritual Fruit and Good Works

The "fruit of the vine" that Jesus spoke of represents the spiritual fruits borne by believers living in the Holy Spirit.

2.1 The Fruit of the Spirit

The Apostle Paul defines the fruit of the Spirit as follows:
[Galatians 5:22–23]
'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.'

These fruits are the visible outcomes of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit—manifested through good character and righteous actions.

2.2 Good Works as Visible Fruit

[Matthew 5:16]
'Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.'

The fruit is not a physical product but a life lived in obedience to God’s word, marked by love, mercy, and righteousness. Through such good works, believers glorify God.

3. The New Wine in the Father’s Kingdom: Its Meaning

When Jesus referred to drinking "new wine in the Father’s kingdom," He was not speaking about literal wine but about the spiritual fruit that believers would bear in the age to come.

3.1 The Symbolism of New Wine

• The Father’s kingdom: Refers to the fulfillment of God’s reign in the new heaven and earth.
• Drinking new wine: Symbolizes the consummation of believers’ transformed lives and their perfect communion with God.

3.2 Spiritual Fruit in the Kingdom

After Jesus’ second coming, believers will experience complete fellowship with God. This is not about observing rituals like drinking wine but about the eternal joy and communion borne out of spiritual fruit.

4. WMSCOG’s Misinterpretation and Non-Biblical Claims

The WMSCOG interprets Jesus' words about the fruit of the vine literally and claims their leader, Ahn Sahng-hong, restored the Passover and fulfilled the prophecy of the second coming. However, their interpretation deviates from the Bible for several reasons:

4.1 Ignoring the Metaphorical Context

Jesus’ words were meant as spiritual metaphors. WMSCOG’s focus on physical wine detracts from the spiritual truth of His message.

4.2 Overlooking the Fruit of the Spirit

The Bible emphasizes spiritual transformation and good deeds as the true fruit of faith. The WMSCOG neglects this, instead fixating on outward rituals.

4.3 Misrepresenting Salvation

The Bible teaches that salvation comes through faith and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Reducing salvation to ritual observance undermines the Gospel’s central message.

5. Conclusion: The True Meaning of the Fruit of the Vine

The "fruit of the vine" mentioned by Jesus at the Last Supper does not refer to literal wine but to the spiritual fruit borne by believers through the work of the Holy Spirit.

• Observing rituals like the Passover wine does not bring salvation; instead, a life transformed by faith in Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit does.
• True believers glorify God through their changed hearts and good deeds, not through adherence to symbolic rituals.

The essence of Christian life is found in the spiritual transformation brought by the Holy Spirit and the love and obedience expressed in daily actions. Clinging to material practices misses the profound spiritual truth of Jesus’ teachings."