JESUS CHRIST IN THE SONG OF SONGS - INTO THE BANQUET OF WINE/PENTECOST.
JESUS CHRIST IN THE SONG OF SONGS
Tuesday Bible Study
November 11, 2025, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
“THE SONG OF SONGS IS THE HOLY OF HOLIES”
“For in all the world there is nothing to equal the day on which the Song of Songs was given to Israel, for all the Writings are Holy, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies” (Rabbi Aqiba, Council of Jamnia, 50AD-135AD).
“The Song of Solomon begins with those who are saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, have been used of God, and understand the Gifts of the Spirit; those who have a hunger for the LORD to take us into the ultimate of His purpose and into His full intention for us. He desires to lead us into an experience and a communion with Himself. It is a communion because it is a relationship where we are motivated by the LORD. God desires to bring us into the place where our will becomes one with His and we are no longer working for the LORD, but we are working with the LORD, in union and communion with Him.
It is working with the LORD in fellowship, harmony, unity of purpose and intention---being one with the LORD” (Wade Taylor).
This book is for the spiritual mind. In orthodox Jewry, one was not permitted to read and study the Song of Solomon until he was thirty years old. The number 30 denotes maturity.
“The Song of Solomon is a very spiritual book. It can only be understood by the illumination of the Holy Spirit” (author unknown).
In symbolic language it sets forth the intimate relationship between the individual believer and the Lord Jesus Christ. Its overall message shows God’s eternal purpose worked out through the Church, the Bride of Christ. The Song is a love story, but it is not a story of natural love. Nothing risqué or ribald is in its contents. “To the pure, all things are pure… (Tit. 1:15).
The Bridegroom and the Bride have the same name.
Solomon (“Shelomah”). The Shulamite (Shulamith”)
The Shulamite is drawn out from under the dominion of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of His Dear Son. The King of the domain of darkness must give way to the King of the domain of Light.
There are at least seven different dimensions of presenting the Song of Solomon: Literal, Dispensational, Psychological, and Kingdom Government. I choose to teach it as it has meaning to me: Spiritual, allegorical, and prophetic. The greatest experience of mankind is the spiritual love of God and one another in Christ’s love.
The Song is in contrast with the vanity of vanities of Ecclesiastes. We must have the SPIRIT of the King to sing or understand this Song. This Song reveals the Person, Character, and Nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, the preparation of His Bride and the birthing of their joint ministry.
The Song begins with the youthful shepherd girl’s first glimpse of the King. She sees Him afar off as He comes riding to behold his fields and flocks.
So. 1:2-3: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy love is better than wine. Because of the savor of your good ointments, you name is an ointment poured forth, therefore, do the virgins love thee.
The Bible kiss is rare. It was only given as a token of espousal. That the book starts with a desire for a kiss speaks to the desire to be the Bride of the King. The realm of LOVE (The Third dimension in the Most Holy Place) is better than the realm of WINE (The Pentecostal Realm -Holy Place). The Wine of the Spirit is the earnest of the LOVE (1 Co. 13; Eph. 1). Nothing can be compared to His LOVE. The best thing the man produces (wine) causing joy and excitement cannot compare with LOVE.
Having seen the King afar off for the first time, she dreams of his embrace. She does not yet know the cost of such a relationship. In her girlish way she is innocent, but naïve, ragged, and sunburned. She is just another goat-keeper among many others. Ahh, but the anointing beckons.
“Thy Name is an Ointment.” The NAME OF God is all that He is. We must stand in the NAME while we speak in the NAME. The Virgins are primarily concerned with what He does, not Who He is. The Shulamite is one of these “HIDDEN ONES” and is not ready for public display. The furnace of affliction will develop her into the mature love of Song 8:6-7: Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave; the coals thereof are coals of fire, which has a more vehement flam. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it; if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be condemned.
All ministries must be tested. Holy Ghost Baptism does not thrust us into ministry. The Holy Ghost thrusts us into the realm of the Holy Place where we are washed in the Word and proved by Fire. His NAME is purified oil, but the Virgins love the blessing more than the birthright. Those are without number: Song 6:8: There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
1:4: Draw me, we will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers; we will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. The upright love you.
Having cried out for His personal affection and expressing her inward desires and longings for the LORD Himself, the Shulamite now begins to discern the value and the fragrance of His anointing. She is dissatisfied with the ordinary. Though her love is immature and self-centered, it is nonetheless genuine. The King sees the Shulamite. He will perfect all that concerns her. But first He must do for her what she cannot do. He must draw her.
We only come to the LORD initially or proceed into a deeper fellowship as we are drawn by the Father through the power of the Holy Ghost. There is a time to be born (Ecc. 3:2; Jn. 3:1-8). We are after King Jesus. The goal of our journey and the end of this race is “LOVE” WHICH SPRINGS FROM A “Pure Heart, a clear conscience, and unfeigned FAITH.
The rest of chapter 1:5-17 reveal truths received by her from HIM while in the chambers.
Song 1:7: Tell me, o’ you whom my soul loves, where you feed, where you make your flock to rest at noon: for why I should be as one that turns aside by the flocks of your companions.
She is ambitious! She must be told to lay down her life! She is eager to do anything that He would ask, but to submit to the authority of one of His under-shepherds/companions is not what she had in mind! The two words “flock” and “flocks” reveal two dimensions of truth:
(1) the true purpose of eldership – to feed His flock and bring them to Him.
(2) The Shulamite has a disdain for any authority of His companions.
The King has drawn nigh that He might draw her unto Himself.
Story Line – Without fully comprehending the magnitude of her questions, she seeks after food and rest. The path of spiritual maturity which she is seeking…is the path of discipline. In the steady and progressive development into His image by His foreordination, she must experience the lesser realms before she is to taste of His fullness. He who has authority to rule must first be ruled. One cannot govern until he is governed. The King understands her zeal yet to be tempered with wisdom, perseverance, and patience. With His love, He begins her training. His reply was not what she wanted to hear. These are his first words to her.
1:8: If you know not, O you fairest among women, go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed your kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
That is just about as plain as you can make it. Within the inner chamber, the Shulamite has seen (1) that she is black in Adam, but comely in Christ; (2) that her former fleshly and external works are vain; and (3) that she needs spiritual food and rest. She must now go back and learn the lessons that the other shepherds must teach her. Though laden with gifts, she does not know how to use them. He has commissioned his servants to train this heir of His inheritance. She pleads, “But Lord, I want to follow You! I want to be foot-loose and fancy-free. I am as free as the desert wind and I want to stay that way! These shepherds are old, and their ways are old. I am young. This is a new day. I am beyond any need for a shepherd, Lord, for I have seen you.” But the King knows that there is a due order. There are patterns to His purpose. He thinks, “She is so eager, and intelligent, and beautiful, but will she listen? He speaks to her again.
1:9: I have compared you, O my Love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.
The chariot was a vehicle of war. The Shulamite is more a fighter than a lover at this point.
The King sees the Shulamite in her potential to be one of the horses in Pharaoh’s chariots, to bring Him forth in all His glory! She could make much of herself in the old order with her natural beauty, prowess, and charisma.
1:10: Your cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, your neck with chains of Gold.
She is no ordinary creature. She has much to be admired from the human perspective. But in the light of the sun, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Her gentleness will manifest as she is subjected to fires of persecution under which no human emotion or sentiment can abide or stand. He will make her a crown and glory to grace his own Head, and when He is lifted up as an ensign upon the nations, she will be glorified with Him!
1:11: We will make you borders of Gold with studs of Silver.
This is the gold (divine nature) embossed with silver (redemption). This is His promise to her that she will be totally transformed by His grace!
She failed to grasp the revelation that He had seen in Her a treasure to be brought forth. He will invest His time, His faith, and His Word in her. She had never possessed any gold or silver, now He is telling her that she is to become such!
1:12: While the king sits at his table, my spikenard sends forth the smell thereof.
To be seated is to be established in place. The scepter of the rule of this King is established in righteousness forever. He will feed her, at his table. There is a feast which describes the size of His table. Her response to this regal setting is one of praise and adoration. Suddenly, she discerns a smell that fills the air.
1:13: A bundle of myrrh is my beloved unto Me: This is her first glimpse of the revelation of the fellowship of his sufferings. Myrrh points to the crucifixion. It is an embalming spice. It has preserving quality, preventing corruption. It has a beautifying quality removing wrinkles. It is an ingredient of the anointing oil. Myrrh has a healing quality and a perfuming quality. It was a costly and valuable gift for the King. Myrrh was mixed with wine and offered to Jesus on the cross. She is yet to realize that she is to share that suffering.
1:14 “My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.”
The Shulamite has tapped the secret of the King’s power and authority. She has discerned the mystery of His endless life. Christ, the bundle of myrrh, now dwells in her heart. He has redeemed her from sin, sickness, poverty, and death. She had learned much in His chambers. But she must return to the desert and the training of the under-shepherds. Her arms are filled with gifts, her heart with sadness, but her spirit with determination. She had seen Him. She had talked with Him and He with her. Now she would spend months, perhaps years with the ministries, learning the ways of her Beloved. They would perfect her and bring her to Him again.
1:15-17: The scene changes: Behold you are fair, my love; behold you are fair; you have Dove’s eyes. Behold you are fair, my beloved, and yes pleasant: Also, our bed is green. The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafter of fir. (He is speaking to her.)
The Shulamite has now grown from a young girl into a beautiful woman. The King sees the dove of the Holy Ghost shining through her eyes. His own nature is radiating. The Bed is rest and peace. Green is the color of life. She is to share His rest and peace. Now she learns the protection of His house and the provision of His rafters are to be shared with her as well. She is to share His domain. All that He has is hers. She is to be His habitation.
Chapter 2 is about the banquet of wine and the awesome joy of the Pentecostal Experience. The joy of her being filled with the Wine of heaven cannot be described.
2:1-2: I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valleys.
The humility and purity of the Shulamite is seen here. It is she that speaks here,
2:2: He speaks to her: “As the Lily among thorns so is my love among the daughters.” Persecution had pierced her through with condemnation and a sense of failure and futility. She has been delivered from a spirit of revenge and defending herself. His sovereign grace had kept her safe in the midst of the lions’ den. She has peaked into an Open Heaven. It is just not worth holding grudges and lose the glimpse of Glory.
2:3: As the apple tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.” (She is speaking to Him.)
The Apple can represent the fruit of the Spirit or the Word of God as seen in Prov. 25:11. Also, our words should be as “apples of gold in pitchers of silver.” The King is the Tree of Life and the true vine. He alone is constant. The other trees of the forest are seasonal. The Shulamite delights in the instruction of the Lord through His Word! His words are Spirit and Life! The sweetness from the Word makes her voice sweet. The King offers His arm, and beckons her to enter His banqueting chamber and the wine of Pentecost.
2:4: He brought me to the banqueting House, and His banner over me was love. (She is speaking)
This verse emphasizes the Holy Ghost Baptism, the Pentecostal experience. Wine is a symbol for the outpoured Joy of the Holy Spirit (Ps.104:15; Psa. 16:11). He is the One Who baptizes with the Holy Ghost and Fire. This is the door or entrance to the Holy Place of Moses’ Tabernacle, the second dimension, or the Second Day, or the Second Heaven. Like the “fading flower” of Isa. 28, the Pentecostal realm. The Shulamite now finds herself in a new realm. She had never been to church service like this! Just as Ezekiel was brought through the water of chapter 47, so the King himself will bring us into this charismatic realm. The Feast of Pentecost is marked by Joy and Rejoicing and will open the heavenlies (the Spirit realm; supernatural realm) to her. It is a realm marked by shepherding and discipleship. There was leaven in the Feast of Pentecost, which is the first fruits. (Rom 8:23) and the earnest of the realm of Agape Love to which she is called. His own name, which she shall receive, is on the banner! And that Love is our defense and security. Here is a foretaste of their full union. She shares this joy with others. His Cross was the ensign erected as the badges of his Authority. Calvary predicted Pentecost. This party is already in progress, and happiness fills the air like heavy incense. She had never known such joy; it seems for a moment that her strength will leave her body. But the King steadies her hand, and together they enter the House of Wine!
All the guests seemed so happy. Some were singing, some were shouting, some were clapping their hands, and some were even dancing. The King seemed pleased by it all. What liberty these guests seem to have! But, then again, this was a Banquet of Wine, and many had been partakers of the heavenly gift.
2:5: Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of Love. (She is speaking)
This verse shows the balance of the Spirit and the Word in the feast of Pentecost. The Wine of the spirit causes the Apples (the promises of the Word) to come alive to the Shulamite. She almost faints under the influence of such an anointed word. But there is yet a joy unspeakable and full of glory which can only be experienced with His enabling. She does not understand that she must be strengthened and prepared to endure the weight of the Glory into yet another realm.
2:8: The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills (she is speaking.)
This is the call of Christ to his beloved. This passage is recited at the Feast of Passover.
The wine of Pentecost was good. Yet the King is approaching with an invitation to yet a higher dimension – a realm beyond Pentecost – The Holy of Holies! He now comes to her in the swiftness and freshness of His Resurrection Life. She is about to be allured to the top of the mountain and a baptism of Fire. There is a high calling, and he comes now to share that ministry with her!
2:9: My beloved is like a roe or a Young Hart: Behold, he stands behind our wall, he looks forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice.
He desires for her to move out of the realm separated by a middle wall of partition (James 1:6-8) and into the realm where they can stand face to face (1 Cor. 13: 8-13). The King has taken down the middle wall of partition (Eph. 2:11-11)..
His whole appearance expresses movement. He stands, as if ready to depart.
2:10: My beloved spoke, and said unto me, ‘rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. (She is speaking quoting him)
This is the call to come up higher. We can compare it to the feast of trumpets and the journeyings of the camps (Num. 10:1-2).
This is the departure from the possession of self that she might be possessed by God.
What could be better than the House of Wine?
2:11-13: FOR LOW, THE WINTER IS PAST, THE RAIN IS OVER AND GONE. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise my love, my fair one, and come away.
It was time for new life to spring forth. What else could the King want? How many could boast of seeing the Green Room? She had been but a bud until she entered the House of Wine. When she was filled with the Holy Ghost, she had exploded into a blossom. She is the flower of whom he sings!
Slowly, her mind becomes clearer as she begins to understand the message. She must go to the top of the mountain where the vinedressers are at work. She is to take her vineyard there and permit the vinedressers to prune away. She is His planting.
2:14: O my dove, you are in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see your countenance, let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice, and your countenance is comely. (He is speaking to her.)
She is a dove – a spirit filled church. She is hidden in Christ in the secure hiding places in the crevices; in which doves make their nests and where people retreat from their enemies. Jesus is the rock that was the cleft at Calvary!
The stair speaks of our ascent into God step by step. She has come a long way in her ascent to His throne. He had seen the reflection of Himself in her eyes.
2:15: Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes. ( both are speaking)
The foxes are things that hinder. They abort the seed. These foxes sneak in under the leaves. These have affinity with the serpents, and are known for their craftiness, especially in playing dead. They were mentioned by Ezekiel to be false prophets (including false words of condemnation – Prov. 17:15) It is those little insignificant things that we have allowed to feed unmolested among our vines. These habits, words, or weaknesses (which appear as nothing in themselves) are deceitful and cute, treacherous, and sly.
She must forget the things that are behind. She listens to His message about the Cross, to his call to turn her face toward Him, but she still does not understand! At one time she neglected her vineyard (1:6). Now she swings to the other extreme. Now she is preoccupied. She evidently has her eyes upon the vine, and its promise of fruit, and is getting concerned in the keeping of her vineyard. Thus is her gaze turned from the Person of the King. She realizes she is safe in His love.
2:16: My beloved is mine, and I am his, he feeds among the lilies.
The lilies are the pure in heart (Mt. 5:8). Like the unperfected Shulamite, we can be so enamored of the goodness and caresses of the Bridegroom that we think that we have already arrived at the height.
2:17: Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn my beloved, and be like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
The word “turn” or “return shows that He walked on up the mountain. She will either accept or reject the terms, but she cannot alter them. She boldly prophesied that he be what she wants: the playful roe and the young hart. Bether was possibly Bilthron, a hilly district on the east side of the Jordan valley (11 Sam. 2:29). The word “turn” reveals she has fallen behind Him.
The Lord’s day begins at twilight. She will have to arise while it is yet dark and follow him. The Shulamite hesitates in her calling to the Mountain of Separation. He is calling her to come with Him. To her surprise, the King turns from her and begins to climb the mountain.
3:1: By night on my bed, I sought him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not. (she is speaking).
This verse tells the result of not following on to know the Lord into the Most Holy Place.
She had experienced the Feasts of Passover and Pentecost. But there is a Feast of Tabernacles in the Seventh month (perfection)! It begins with the blowing of the trumpets (Prophecy), and that clear word from God will blow her off the bed of ease! Then on the tenth day of the seventh month, there is the Day of Atonement. He called her to this Gethsemane on the mountains of Bether. This is to be a baptism of fire (Heb. 12:29). In the outer court He is Jesus, our Savior. In the Holy Place, He is the Christ, the One who indwells her. But in the Most Holy Place, he is the LORD – and to His total reign in her life she is called! She is to afflict her soul in the Day of Atonement.
To be continued
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church
I entered into the labors of Principles of Present Truth by Kelly Varner. The text is paraphrased and shortened for the purpose of teaching. Last taught by Pastor Carolyn Sissom in 2007.