Ezekiel 47-48

The final chapters of Ezekiel are such a blessing.  We learn of a river flowing from Jerusalem, ending at the Dead Sea which will be no more “dead” (47:8-10).  The closing words tell us, after all the history of sin and trial, that Jerusalem is known as the place of God’s dwelling, being now called “The LORD is There.”

These chapters are reminiscent of the end of Revelation where a river flows out of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:1-2), the heavenly city with twelve gates named after the tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:12-13).  It too is known by the presence of the Lord (Rev. 22:3-5).  Such similarities cause some to think that Ezekiel is in fact describing the New Jerusalem.  But I would remind you that what Ezekiel describes is sandwiched around the detailed description of the borders of Israel and the land allotted for the tribes as well as for the temple and the prince.  The thought that there is a heavenly city and an earthly city that are similar should not be confusing.  The earthly temple itself was a copy of the one in heaven.

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. (Psalm 46:4-5)

Some think Ezekiel is speaking figuratively.  After all, how can a river come forth from the top of a mountain?  It must speak of the healing of the gospel.  Let us be clear: it does speak figuratively of the gospel.  There is no healing for sinful mankind apart from the gospel of God’s grace.  Faith in Christ, looking ahead or looking back to the cross, is the only way of life.  Only as an act of faith can the drinking of the water from the throne of God bring about healing.  

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. (Isa. 55:1)

But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water, springing up into everlasting life.  (John 4:14)

But having said that, this still does not mean that there is not a literal river, coming from the Millennial temple.  The context seems to make this clear as to other passages.

There will be on every high mountain, and every high hill, rivers and streams of waters. (Isaiah 30:25)  A fountain shall flow from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Acacias. (Joel 3:18)  In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (Zech. 13:1)  And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem (Zech. 14:8)

The water of life has always been available.  But in that day, praise God, it will flow visibly, abundantly and freely in a way that fits the very presence of the source of healing.  THE LORD IS THERE!