Although not the normal drink of the day, intoxicating wines did exist in Bible times, and in every case they receive unfavorable reference. Deut. 32:23,24,33; Prov. 4:14-17; Hab. 2:5,15; Ps. 58:4; Hos. 7:5; Ps. 60:3; Isa. 5:22; 28:7,8; Jer. 25:15.
It is especially important for us to be always strictly temperate and sober in these last days because Satan is working with greatly intensified deceptiveness and wrath to confuse our senses:
Babylon [corrupt organized religion] "made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Rev. 14:8; "The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." 2 Pet. 4:7; "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet. 5:8; "Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Pet. 1:13.
What is God's view of alcohol consumption? "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Prov. 20:1
How can we be sure that the wine Jesus used at the Passover (Lord's Supper) was non-alcoholic? It was a strict law of God that at the time of the Passover all leaven or fermented articles to be removed from the house. Fermentation is a sign of decay and death. The wine used at the Passover was distinctly a symbol of Christ's blood, shed to establish the new covenant. He will drink of the same kind of new wine with His redeemed in the Kingdom of heaven where decomposition and fermentation will never occur. See Ex. 12:15; Matt. 26:17,26-29; Rev. 21:4.
What is the effect of drinking alcoholic beverages? "Who has woe, who has sorrow, who has contentions, who has babbling, who has wounds without cause, who has redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine" "At last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder" (Prov. 23:29,30).
Why were kings prohibited the use of strong drink? "It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink; lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted" (Prov. 31:4,5)
Why were priests not allowed to use intoxicating drink? "And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine or strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, … that ye may put a difference between holy and unholy, and between clean and unclean" (Lev. 10:8-10, cf. Ezek. 44:21).
What two titles does God give to His redeemed people? "Kings and priests." See 1 Pet. 2:6,9; Rev. 1:5,6. True Christians are spiritual kings and priests, washed in the blood of Christ and enlisted in His service as royal ambassadors. They have perpetual access by His Spirit to the heavenly sanctuary. 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Heb. 10: 19-23.
How did Daniel respond to the temptation to drink wine at the king's court in Babylon? Dan. 1:8-20. He refused it, but drank water instead. In consequence he was blessed with superior health and mental ability.
What is one of the keys to success in being a victorious Christian? "Every man who strives for the mastery is temperate in all things" (1 Cor. 9:25).
What is the source of our power to be temperate? "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22,23). True temperance is defined as, "The moderate use of that which is beneficial and total abstinence from that which is harmful."
Will alcoholics who continue drinking have a favorable destiny? "Be not deceived: … drunkards… shall not inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9,10, cf. 1 Cor. 5:11; Gal. 5:19-21..
What kind of wine is acceptable and wholesome? "The new wine found in the cluster, destroy it not, … for a blessing is in it." "The pure blood of the grape" (Isa. 65:8; Deut 32:14). It is medicinal, non-alcoholic. 1 Tim. 5:23.
What source of inspiration does God want for us instead of fermented wine? "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph. 5:18, cf. Acts 2:1-18).
"Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).
