This amazing vision includes a river flowing from the third temple which has yet to be built. This river will come about after the tribulation period when Lord Jesus returns.
What is this river exactly? Ezekiel saw a river that could be measured, that started off shallow and increased in depth. The river flowed to the Dead Sea and brought it back to life. Some say that this river is purely symbolic, the "rivers of living water" as said by Lord Jesus (John 7:39). Others say no, the description is so specific that it must be a real river, also described in the book of Revelation, chapter 22.
It is also possible that there are both a spiritual and and an earthly fulfillment of the visions. I lean to that interpretation.
What does it mean for us now? All who receive the Holy Spirit potentially have this "river of Life". When we first are born again, this river is shallow. The "flow", so to speak, is hindered by the weights and hindrances that block our soul. These include strong opinions that are contrary to God's word, the unrenewed mind that is ignorant of God's word, dependence on emotion instead of God's truth and self will that overrides God's will. Pride or rebellion are at the root of everything that is a hindrance.
As the Lord works in our lives, we should find that God's word begins to replace our worldly opinions. We should begin to see that emotions are unreliable and that truth is absolute and dependable. We will find that God's will is far superior to self will. However, this is not automatic.
God will work in our lives according to our willingness to change. Many of us start of as observers of this wonderful river. Maybe we will step into the river up to our ankles. Then we might be willing to get in up to our knees. Here we are still in control. We can get out of the river. We do not need to learn how to swim. It is safe.
There is a place in God where we can go so deep that we are no longer our own. (1 Corinthians 6:20) We go where the river takes us. It's not "safe". There is no backing out. It's not that God overrides or controls our will. It is where we are actively cooperating with God's will and no longer resisting.
As a very new Christian, I feared God's will. I had a false concept that anything that God wanted must be something that I was not going to like. I now fear not having God's will. If you are standing on the river bank, or even up to your knees, jump in! The water is fine.
What is this river exactly? Ezekiel saw a river that could be measured, that started off shallow and increased in depth. The river flowed to the Dead Sea and brought it back to life. Some say that this river is purely symbolic, the "rivers of living water" as said by Lord Jesus (John 7:39). Others say no, the description is so specific that it must be a real river, also described in the book of Revelation, chapter 22.
It is also possible that there are both a spiritual and and an earthly fulfillment of the visions. I lean to that interpretation.
What does it mean for us now? All who receive the Holy Spirit potentially have this "river of Life". When we first are born again, this river is shallow. The "flow", so to speak, is hindered by the weights and hindrances that block our soul. These include strong opinions that are contrary to God's word, the unrenewed mind that is ignorant of God's word, dependence on emotion instead of God's truth and self will that overrides God's will. Pride or rebellion are at the root of everything that is a hindrance.
As the Lord works in our lives, we should find that God's word begins to replace our worldly opinions. We should begin to see that emotions are unreliable and that truth is absolute and dependable. We will find that God's will is far superior to self will. However, this is not automatic.
God will work in our lives according to our willingness to change. Many of us start of as observers of this wonderful river. Maybe we will step into the river up to our ankles. Then we might be willing to get in up to our knees. Here we are still in control. We can get out of the river. We do not need to learn how to swim. It is safe.
There is a place in God where we can go so deep that we are no longer our own. (1 Corinthians 6:20) We go where the river takes us. It's not "safe". There is no backing out. It's not that God overrides or controls our will. It is where we are actively cooperating with God's will and no longer resisting.
As a very new Christian, I feared God's will. I had a false concept that anything that God wanted must be something that I was not going to like. I now fear not having God's will. If you are standing on the river bank, or even up to your knees, jump in! The water is fine.
