Reading: Ezekiel 46-48
Then said He unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh (Ezek. 47:8-9).
In a vision, Ezekiel saw the waters of life flowing into the Dead Sea, bringing forth fresh, life-giving water where there had once been only death and desolation. Everywhere the river flowed, it brought life. This may have been a new concept in the time of Ezekiel, but for Christians today, it should have a familiar ring. And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). The progress of these waters was gradual but constant. It began at the altar, symbolic of the cross. Ezekiel first saw waters reaching to the ankle, then to the knees, then to the loins, and then they became a river. They flowed gradually and constantly in the ever-deepening stream.
The growth of this stream serves as a perfect illustration of Christ and His Church. The Gospel had a small, insignificant beginning. An unknown and unassuming carpenter's son joined with earnest fishermen to spread a message of hope and love. Steadily, the movement grew, despite the extreme opposition from religious and political leaders, who conspired to crush it. Still, the power of Christ proved impossible to stop. Slowly but inexorably, it has spread from a small village in Galilee to every corner of the world.
The River of Life has its source in Him who created all life, in Him whose glory first filled the Temple before spreading among all the nations of the earth. All the spiritual blessings that now enrich the world issue from Him who alone gives life (see Eph. 3:8; John 6:27; 10:28). Similarly, the growth of grace in the individual life is a progressive work, beginning with a small stream from Christ, the Fountainhead, but increasing in depth and preciousness over time. Our spiritual insight from God’s Word, like the waters of the Temple, is shallow at first but grows exponentially as we study with Him and become dispensers of the Water of Life to others. With Thee is the Fountain of Life: in Thy light shall we see light (Ps. 36:9).
All who accept Jesus as Savior shall have rivers of living (life-giving) water flowing from them: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:37-38).
From the Lord flows a pure River of Life that has no limitations. He can cleanse the vilest of sinners—no exceptions. No one who desires to forsake his sinful ways and accept the gift of Christ the Redeemer is disqualified. All the blessings of life everlasting, which come only through Christ, are equally available to all who desire Him to be Savior and Lord of their lives.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17).
Thought For Today:The water of life surrounds thirsty unbelievers, but it is as salt water to those without God.
Christ Revealed: Through the river of living waters and one of the Names of God, Jehovah(Yahweh)-Shammah meaning: The Lord is there (Ezek. 47:1-12; 48:35; also Rev. 21 – 22).
Word Studies:46:7 as his hand shall attain unto = as much as he can afford; 46:24 places of them that boil = where the Temple servants are too boil the sacrifice; 47:2 utter gate = outer gate.
Pray For Staff: Tifany Parisi • Government Officials: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Gov. Ron DeSantis (FL) • Country: Bulgaria (6,924,716) Southeastern Europe • Major Languages: Bulgarian, Turkish • Newly opened to evangelism • 59.4% Eastern Orthodox; 7.8% Muslim; 1.7% Other (Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, Jewish); 3.7% None; 27.4% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a greater desire to serve the Lord (Ps. 42:1-2).
Optional Readings:Revelation 19