Prophet Ezekiel was gifted by God to see spiritual vision unlike his predecessors. God in His divine mercy and wisdom opened up this realm to His servant who was called to minister to people who sat in midst of utter ruin and slavery in the land of Babylon. They had lost all hope and were like dry bones, as we see in Ezekiel 37. God knew that only a heavenly vision would awaken them to the spiritual realities. So God spoke to Ezekiel through visions starting with a vision of God’s glory. Here is one such important vision— a river flowing from the Temple. This gives a symbolic picture of the latter day restoration that was to come through the new covenant.

Before this vision God showed him the new Temple with all its wonderful features. Succeeding this vision God shows the vision of the River flowing from the door of the Temple, implying how the restoration process will take place. Initially in 37th chapter God brings in life to the lifeless dry bones. In the preceding chapters the vision enlarges to show the restoration of the Temple and how godly worship is restored. As soon as the real worship is established, the vision of the river is given. This symbolizes how the life from God Himself will start flowing in increasing depths, to get the work of God extended out to others who are dead in their trespasses.

The river symbolizes the River of Life as we see in Rev. 22:1-2: “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” 

This is the very thing Jesus was promising when He saw the people thirsty for the real water of life in the temple. John 7:37-38: ‘On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”’

In today’s world we need this River of Life flowing through the New Testament temples- that is each believer. Unless this river flows out there is no life or no spiritual healing that will take place. The world is like the Dead Sea with no life. Only when this life-giving water flows out from the Church to the world around, will we see the wonderful results of fruitfulness and life promised through this vision given by God to Ezekiel.

For the river to flow in increasing measure, the life of a believer need to be more and more transformed into the likeness of Jesus. Only the continual transformation assures the continual supply of life from heaven. Simply to state, transformed lives are the answer to today’s dying world. Dear reader, are you ready to be transformed into His likeness so that this life giving rive will flow through you to heal the world around you?

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Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I submit my life to you to have this Living water flowing through me to heal the deadness that surrounds me, in Jesus name. Amen.