The Miracle RiverThe Miracle River, Part Three

In addition to pointing to a physical river that will flow from the Millennium Temple, Ezekiel's vision of a Miracle River points to bountiful blessings that comes from God TO THE CHURCH through the person and MINISTRY of the HOLY GHOST! This river points to the living water, a type of the Spirit of God, that Jesus offered (John 4:14, 7:37-39)  to all those who would believe! After all other descriptions and specifications of the sanctuary and the giving of new eternal laws including those of Israel's allotted land, the Lord showed the prophet the final thing about the sanctuary recorded in his book:  the measurement of a river flowing from under the threshold of the temple eastward, from the front of the temple, the right side of the house, and the south side of the altar of sacrifice.  The waters flowed from the right side of the east gate (Ezekiel 47:1-2), which is interesting considering it used the plural "waters," not "water," which issued from the HOUSE – their source, the Throne of Jehovah; their channel, the Altar of Jehovah, which in type was a type of Calvary. Jesus is the baptizer in the Holy Ghost but we have the Holy Ghost today ONLY because of what Christ did at the Cross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christ is the Temple; and he is the Door; from him the living waters flow, out of his pierced side. Ezekiel said the Messiah will go in by the East Gate, and the waters will flow out by the same Gate. That is a beautiful picture of Christ, our Messiah, who ascended into Heaven, and, as a result, the Holy Spirit descended from the same place on the Day of Pentecost and has never left since! Praise the name of Jesus. John's vision of the heavenly river in the New Jerusalem reveals the river of live "proceeds out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."
 

By Chris McDonald

 

TEXT: Ezekiel 47:9-12 - And it shall come to pass, that every thing that lives, which moves, 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. [10] And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. [11] But the miry places thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. [12] And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

 

As we conclude this sermon series on Ezekiel’s vision of the glorious River flowing from the Temple, we must understand that this river’s meaning must be taken literally AND prophetically!

 

During the Millennium Reign of Christ from Jerusalem, there is to be a literal river flowing out from the Millennium Temple eastward and from the south side of the altar that will then turn, run southward through Jerusalem and immediately south of Jerusalem it will be divided. Half of the river will flow westward into the Mediterranean Sea and half will flow eastward into the Dead Sea.

 

The power and magnitude of this river is seen in the resulting life of the Dead Sea into which one branch of this river will flow and as a result,  the Dead Sea will be healed so that multitudes of fish will be found in it (Ezek. 47:1-12; Zech. 14:8).

 

Zech. 14:8 - And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be

 

When Christ sets His feet on the Mount of Olives there will be a great earthquake and the whole landscape of Israel will be changed in a moment’s time (Zech. 14:4-5). Shut up for all these centuries, the Dead Sea will be raised so that it will have an outlet to purify the stagnant waters which have been. Without any doubt, this glorious river will have power unlike any other river in history!

 

This same river is prophetically a type of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and consequently the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It represents the glory and joy which are, as one commentator wrote, “grace perfected.” (HENRY)

 

The river’s waters can also represent the glorious gospel of Christ, which went forth from Jerusalem, and spread itself to the entire world, confirmed and accompanied by the gifts and powers of the Holy Ghost, which are still REAL today! Whenever the river flows – nothing is for certain nor contained in man’s theological box! Let today’s skeptics try and stop this river if they foolishly so desire, but God’s power and His Spirit is bigger than our doctrinal statements that seek to deny His validity and work today!

 

Isa 2:3- And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

 

Isaiah spoke of both the “law,” which speaks of the Spirit’s ministry to the Jews, and the “Word of the Lord,” which speaks to His ministry to the Gentiles. While the two are different, the Spirit’s purpose is the same in both. BOTH need the gospel. BOTH Jew and Gentile MUST come to Christ and be born again!

 

There is not one way of salvation for the Jews and one for the Greek as some erroneously teach. Paul said “I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of JESUS Christ for it IS the POWER of God – to the JEW first and then the Greek (GENTILE).”

 

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

The gospel message preached under the anointing of the Holy Ghost produces what Paul called a “GREAT” salvation in the hearts of those who believe its message and the Finished Work of Christ the true gospel always points. According to Paul, whom we believe wrote Hebrews, God bears witness to the true gospel with “DIVERS,” or strange miracles, SIGNS and WONDERS, and GIFTS of the Holy Ghost – ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WILL! ALL of this was embodied in the prophetic nature of Ezekiel’s vision of this glorious River!

 

Hebrews 2:1-5 - Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. [2] For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; [3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; [4] God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

 

Ezekiel had walked round the house again and again, and yet did not till now take notice of those waters. There are times when the Lord God makes known His mind and will to His people, not all at once, but by degrees.

 

In this microwave society where the modern church is always seeking a quick fix to man’s problems, the ways of the Spirit as it regards Salvation’s progressive plan is always progressive, gradual and yes, slow at times, but always working. Salvation’s work through the Holy Ghost is progressive in our hearts and lives, never ending; yet, never developing so fast it does not have eternal results! This river illustrates this graphically!

 

It was in Jerusalem where this River will flow in the future where too, the Spirit was poured out upon the apostles, and endued them with the gift of tongues, that they might carry these waters to all nations. This call too was progressive; in the temple first they were to stand and preach the words of this life to those who would hear; then beginning at JERUSALEM, they would be sent with this same gospel message to all nations!

 

Acts 5:20

    Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

 

Luke 24:47

    And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 

Jerusalem the city was the geographical source of the gospel, but CHRIST and Him Crucified was and is the SPIRITUAL source! Let the reader grasp this awesome truth! Christ is the temple AND the door; and from him these living waters flow, out of his pierced side.

 

John 19:33-34 - But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they break not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

   

Jesus declared Himself as the source of these waters to the Samaritan woman telling her that is was HE who would give us the well of water which springs up into eternal life! After this well springs up in our heart it is by BELIEVING IN HIM also that we receive from Him “rivers of living water; and this He spoke of the SPIRIT.”

 

John 4:14  - But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

 

John 7:38-39 - He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [39] (But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

 

These two passages clearly and distinctly speak of TWO different works of grace by the Holy Ghost - one for the believing sinner as the Spirit draws him to Christ AND that which He does in the life of the believer AFTER he/she has COME to Christ.

 

His first work takes place when we are convicted of sin and shown our need of repentance and the remedy of the Cross! Once we believe in what Christ done for us at Calvary, the Holy Spirit takes up abode in the heart of the believer beginning an eternal work of sanctification and power as the believer yields himself to the Spirit’s leading.

 

John 16:7-11

    Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] Of sin, because they believe not on me; [10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; [11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

 

The Spirit’s work is not finished when we get saved! It’s just the beginning as Christ is formed in us, the HOPE of All glory, who wants to endue us with power from on high through the mighty baptism in the Holy Ghost AFTER we get saved. The Spirit’s second work of grace can NEVER take place before the FIRST! The Spirit baptizes us into Christ when we get saved (1 Cor. 12:12-13); Christ baptizes us with the Holy Ghost when we get filled!

 

1 Cor. 12:12-13 - For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit

 

Matthew 3:11 - I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He (CHRIST) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

 

Some argue, especially in the denominational world, at least those who even care, that one is filled when they get saved. That is only half right. One IS indwelt by the presence of the Holy Spirit, for it is through HIM, the HOLY GHOST, that we call Jesus “LORD!”

 

I think sometimes this is where so many stumble over terminology more than understanding when seeking to know more about this glorious experience one can receive after salvation.  Most Baptist pastors and teachers argue that there is just “ONE” baptism and that takes place when we come to Christ. On the other side of the coin, the Pentecostals tend to argue that the Holy Spirit does not “dwell” in a believer unless that believer has been “filled with the Spirit.”

 

BOTH sides are RIGHT and both sides are WRONG. The Bible DOES teach that when we come to Christ the SPIRIT baptizes us into CHRIST’S death, burial and resurrection. But to state it again, one cannot call Jesus Lord EXCEPT through the unction and function of the HOLY GHOST! This unction comes inside the believer at salvation when the Spirit comes in brings NEW LIFE IN CHRIST as He starts a life long work of conforming us to the Lord’s image.

 

1 Cor. 12:3

    Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

HOWEVER, there is a great difference between one being “BORN OF THE SPIRIT,” or “baptized INTO the Body of Christ,” and one who is already IN the Body of Christ being “baptized,” or “immersed,” or “FILLED,” with the Holy Ghost!

 

In John 4 Jesus speaks of a well of water; in John 7 Jesus speaks of “rivers” of LIVING water! Those are two different operations of the Holy Spirit!! One brings you to Christ and into His Kingdom; the other ENDUES you for SERVICE IN His Kingdom!

 

Salvation IS a well springing up unto eternal life; once we’re saved however, the Lord wants to put rivers of living water inside to assist us in ever daily walk with Him! Salvation IS the greatest gift and miracle one can receive when they’re lost. The mighty infilling of the Spirit is the greatest gift we as a believer receives AFTER we’ve COME to Christ!

 

When Jesus commanded the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem and wait to be endued with power from on high, He was not ordering them there to await salvation! His disciples were already saved under the Old Covenant because they had placed their faith in what Christ was going to do at the Cross! We are saved today under a NEW Covenant that looks BACK to what Christ did at the Cross; it’s a better covenant, based on better promises and built upon the reality that after Calvary the Holy Spirit could take up FULL residence in the hearts of those who believe!

 

Those living under the Old Covenant were certainly ministered to through the Spirit but His work was more specific, and limited because man’s sin debt had not been paid in full. That is why this writer believes Jesus said what He said about John the Baptist when He stated that the “least,” in the Kingdom of God will be “greater,” than John. It’s not we’re more special, we just have more access to God NOW because that same sin debt was TOTALLY paid at the CROSS!

 

When Christ went to the Cross and settled man’s sin debt, a NEW and a LIVING way was opened up between man and God that Jesus could send back the Holy Ghost to DWELL and WORK fully in the hearts of those who come to Christ in faith! Man can be FILLED without measure just as Christ was filled simply because of what He did for us at the Cross, a blessing no Old Covenant saint could fully understand or enjoy!

 

Heb 10:19-20 - Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

 

John 3:34- For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.

Jesus walked as a man TOTALLY FULL of the HOLY GHOST! We have access to that same “RIVER” of power today!! No, we will never be sinless or attain to deity like Christ as some New Age gurus dressed in religious garb blasphemously try to teach sometime, but we CAN walk in the FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! We are commanded to be FILLED with the Holy Ghost!

 

When we say a person has been “baptized in the Holy Ghost,” with the evidence of speaking with other tongues, we mean that person has been “FILLED’ with the Holy Ghost!

 

Yes, we recognized that we are baptized into the Body of Christ when we get saved BY THE SPIRIT, but friend, that’s just the beginning of what the Lord wants to do in our lives! Once we are saved, the Lord Jesus in turns BAPTIZES or IMMERSES us in HIS power, the glorious RIVER if you will, of Holy Ghost power.

 

Jesus Christ did not come and die on a bloody cross for men to just be saved and go to heaven. As wondrous and glorious an experience as salvation is to those who truly are born again, Christ came that we might also be FILLED WITH HOLY GHOST and become witnesses to the four corners of the earth endued with power from on HIGH.

 

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

Luke 24:49

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

 

Ephes. 5:18

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

 

The Origin Of The Waters

 

Ezekiel 47:1-4

    Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. [2] Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. [3] And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ancles. [4] Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

 

The origin of these waters were not above-ground, but sprang from underneath the threshold of the house eastward, a type of the Holy Spirit’s work in hiding the believer with Christ in God:

 

Col. 3:1-4 - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God

 

Many times we as Christians endure trial after trial after trial and never break. Those around us just wander how we do it. Well, neighbor, the fact of the matter is we “don’t” do it, but the source is never seen by those around us! The source is this underground spring of water bubbling up in our heart and soul – the RIVER of the HOLY GHOST! I could write an entire journal on that but I’ll leave it be for now.

 

These waters not only were underground but came forth on the RIGHT side of the house, meaning these blessings are from the RIGHT HAND of God – the Lord Jesus Christ. In Old Covenant times the right hand was used to “bless,” and not curse!

 

Peter declared in Acts that when Jesus went to glory, God exalted Him, and being at the RIGHT hand of God exalted, having RECEIVED of the Father the PROMISE of the Holy Ghost, has SHED FORTH THIS!

 

Acts 2:1-32-36 - This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. [33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. [34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

 

What did He shed forth? The events on the day of Pentecost when this glorious river began to flow and bring power, grace and glory to millions who have received this glorious gift today!

 

Acts 2:1-4

    And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

In the Psalms, David spoke of this river as well, singing it to the praise of Zion, prophetically declaring the “streams,” which flowed like a river from God the Father, the river which makes glad the city of our God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High,

 

Psalm 46:4

    There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

 

The streams of our comfort arise from under the threshold, a type of the throne of God where the Holy Ghost comes from the Father and of the Lamb!

 

Rev. 22:1

    And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

 

The Progression Of The Waters

 

Ezekiel 47:3-5

    And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. [4] Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. [5] Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

 

John, David and Ezekiel saw the same river! Let the reader notice the progress and increase of these waters:

 

First, they went forth eastward (v. 3), towards the east country (v. 8), for so they were directed. The prophet and his guide followed the stream as it ran down from the holy mountains, and when they had followed it about a thousand cubits they went over across it, to try the depth of it, and it was to the ankles, then they walked along on the bank of the river on the other side, a thousand cubits more, and then, to try the depth of it, they waded through it the second time and it was up to their knees, they then walked along by it a thousand cubits more, and then forded it the third time, and then it was up to their middle-- the waters were to the loins. They then walked a thousand cubits further, and attempted to repass it the fourth time, but found it so deep that they could “not pass over!”

 

The waters had risen, by the addition either of brooks that fell into it above ground or by springs under ground, so they were waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over!

 

This is where Jesus wants to take us in the Holy Ghost – to depths where we lose control and HE is given TOTAL control!

    

Notice, the waters of the sanctuary are first, running waters, as those of a river, not standing waters, as those of a pond. The true gospel, though rejected by most, STILL has the power to spread further than any force in this universe! THIS GOSPEL SHALL BE PREACHED, before the end comes, says the Lord!

 

 Islam may be gaining “converts,” but this gospel river flows to those who will heed a message of deliverance and freedom that Islam can never dream of bringing! It’s a message of freedom that Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Baptistism, Pentecoalism, and all the other “isms” made up of man made theology can NEVER bring!

 

Jesus Christ can set the captive free! Islam wants submission to a religion, the gospel gives the hearer and believer GRACE for the soul to press forward into CHRIST, the PERFECION of all that heaven offers humanity!

 

The Grace of God is never stagnant in the heart and life of one truly born again. The power of the Holy Ghost in our lives “presses” forward, always is moving in a direction to PERFECT the believer in the image of Christ. It was pre-ordained before the foundation of the Earth for God to do so through this avenue!

 

Secondly, these waters were/are increasing waters. This river, as it runs constantly, so the further it goes the fuller it grows.

 

When one gets saved, the work of the Holy Ghost is very small in its beginnings, like a little purling brook; but by degrees He takes us deeper into the glory and beauty of Christ just as the man with the line in his hand took Ezekiel in waters that were to the ankles, then to the knees:

 

The power of the Holy Ghost in the earth church was foretold by Christ through the parable of the grain of mustard seed that grew up to be a great tree! As a result of the preaching of the Word of God and the POWER of this Holy Ghost River, many were added to the church daily!

 

Matthew 13:31-32 - Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: [32] Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

 

The gifts of the Spirit increase by being exercised, and grace, where it is true, grows, like the light of the morning, which shines more and more to the perfection of the day (HENRY). That is why we must have this RIVER flowing in our hearts and lives as well as corporately in our churches!

 

Ezekiel Followed the Man with the Line in His Hand and the Flow of These Waters

 

Ezekiel 47:3-4

And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ancles. [4] Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

 

It is good for us to follow these waters, and go along with them. Observe the progress of the gospel in the world; observe the process of the work of grace in the heart; attend the motions of the blessed Spirit, and walk after them, under a divine guidance, as Ezekiel here did.

 

It is good to be often searching into the things of God, and trying the depth of them, not only to look on the surface of those waters, but to go to the bottom of them as far as we can, to be often digging, often diving, into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, as those who covet to be intimately acquainted with those things. When we search into the things of God, we shall find some things very plain and easy to be understood, as the waters that were but to the ankles, others more difficult, and which require a deeper search, as the water to the knees or the loins, and some quite beyond our reach, which we cannot penetrate into, or account for, but, despairing to find the bottom, must, as St. Paul, sit down at the brink, and adore the depth, <Rom. 11:33>.

 

Romans 11:33

    O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

 

Jewish Theologians conclude in some older commentaries that these waters of the sanctuary included some places so shallow that a lamb could wade through them, while others so deep that an elephant may swim in them. God the Holy Ghost produces the revelation of this depth!

    

 

 

This river issued toward the east country, but thence it either divided itself into several streams or fetched a compass, so that it went down into the desert, and thus went into the sea, either the dead sea, which lay south-east, or the sea of Tiberias, which lay north-east, or the Mediterranean sea, which lay west, v. 8.

 

Ezekiel 47:8

    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.

 

Let the reader take comfort in these words! There have always been and will always be enemies to the flow of this river and the message of the Gospel. However, NONE can no more prevail to stop the progress of it than that of a mighty river.

 

The Holy Spirit cannot be stopped. So-called men of God stand behind pulpits and with their mouths of unbelief and TRY to stop His flow sometimes, but they do it to their own peril and destruction of the church they lead.

 

Standing against the Holy Ghost is as stupid as one sticking their finger in a broken dam at Niagara Falls! In these last days before Christ returns, we can either “Get IN the river,” get run over by the River! I’ve sat in some churches where the Spirit is welcome and I’ve sit in churches where the Holy Spirit is just a name on their doctrinal statement but His work is lampooned, laughed at, ignored and totally rejected. And when we reject the Spirit we wind up with DEATH!!! Whithersoever the rivers shall COME shall be HEALED, but where they are rejected, people will continue to be in bondage to Satan, sin and the flesh!

 

The River’s Healing Power

 

Ezekiel 47:8

    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 (DEAD) sea, the waters shall be healed.

 

One of the purposes of the river will be to heal the waters of the Dead Sea so that it will be full of fish. This river from the sanctuary will divide at some point south of Jerusalem and become two great rivers.  One half or one river will flow into the Dead Sea and the other will flow into the Mediterranean, from which fish could migrate through these waters into the Dead Sea (Ezekiel 47:9-10; Zech. 14:8).  Fishermen will cast nets into it and dry their gear on the shore as if there had always been fish in that sea.

 

The waters of the sanctuary, wherever they are allowed to come and have free course, will produce GLORIOUS and TOTAL spiritual healing and restoration to those the river touches! This is in contrast to humanistic psychology that purports to do the same but in actuality does nothing but deliver DEATH to those who partake of its deception!

 

Mankind’s ONLY hope for salvation and deliverance is through the power of the blood of the Jesus Christ that can set ALL men free today! As we have humbly tried to point out, because of the BLOOD, the powers of the Holy Ghost River can now abide within and heal the brokenness and hurt of the human condition!

 

Adam’s fallen race needs more than a counseling session, we need a POWER session! We need a RIVER session! Only the power of the Holy Ghost through the blood of the Lord Jesus can heal a broken heart; restore broken marriages, heal the scars of abuse, break the powers of darkness through alcohol, drugs and lust in the lives of men and women, and cause men who hate to love God and love their fellow man!

 

According to Ezekiel, even the sulphureous lake of Sodom, that standing monument of divine vengeance, even those waters shall be healed, shall become sweet, and pleasant, and healthful.  This intimates the wonderful and blessed change that only the true gospel (i.e. the Message of the Cross, Christ Crucified) can make in a heart and life, wheresoever it comes in its power, as a great change, in respect both of character and condition, as the turning of the Dead Sea into a fountain of gardens.

 

When children of wrath became children of love, and those that were dead in trespasses an sins are made alive, a beautiful fulfillment of the type found in Ezekiel’s river.

 

Ephes. 2:1-6

    And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

 

Christ, coming into the world to be its physician, sent his gospel as the great medicine, the “panpharmacon”; there is in it a remedy for every malady. You have a drug addiction? Get in the river! You have bondage of alcohol in your life? Let the river touch you today! You have a pornography addiction that is about to destroy you and your home sir? Get into this river I speak of today – the mighty Holy Spirit who will lead you to THE GREAT PHYSICIAN – the LORD JESUS CHRIST! HE has the answer to ALL of man’s ills – NO exceptions.

 

The modern church world doesn’t need more ‘self’ help seminars – they need an encounter with the HOLY GHOST! Our churches don’t need psychologists on staff to help people overcome their issues – they need the FLOW OF THE HOLY GHOST to come inside their walls, break the powers of darkness and set the captives free! The reason this river is not allowed to flow many times is SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, an attitude that will keep one from healing! Jesus didn’t come for those not feeling they needed a physician, but those who know they are sick and in need of help!

 

Matt 9:12- But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

 

Luke 5:31-32 - And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

32        I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

To those who believe – HE IS THE BALM of Gilead spoken of by Jeremiah so long ago!

 

Jeremiah 8:20-22

    The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. [21] For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. [22] Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

 

Wherever These Rivers Come……

 

Ezekiel 47:9-10

    And it shall come to pass, that every thing that lives, which moves, 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. [10] And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-Gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.

 

Wherever these rivers come, they make things live (v. 9), both plants and animals; they are the water of life, <Rev. 22:1,17>.

 

Rev. 22:1

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

 

Rev. 22:17

    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.

 

Christ came, that we might have life and have it more abundantly!

 

John 10:10

    The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

The path to life for EVERY single human being in this universe is the path to the Cross which is the means through which this Holy Ghost River flows! Every thing shall live whither the river comes. The grace of God makes dead sinners alive and living saints lively; everything is made fruitful and flourishing by it.

 

This means if you’re church is DEAD, get the river in it! If you’re walk with God is Dry and lifeless – get the river inside you and get inside the RIVER! If you’re Sunday school class is boring you to sleep each week –pray and seek God and GET the River in it! If you’re preaching, man of God has gotten to where even your family is nodding off on Sunday morning – GET THE RIVER IN IT! The river brings LIFE! Religion brings DEATH! The reason our churches are deader than stale bread is that the river has been pushed aside for other things than the moving and operation of the Holy Ghost!

 

It’s a great tragedy in these modern times how we in the church can operate and function without the Holy Ghost! It’s tragic how that we come to church each week expecting and getting the same sermons, the same songs, the same routine, the same lessons, the same results and it doesn’t even bother us any more! That’s a sign the river has left your church sir! That’s a sign the Holy Ghost is no longer in control and that death is slowly, but SURELY occurring within!

 

The devil’s greatest efforts and attacks are against this river! Why, you may ask? Because the enemy knows, even though sadly most preachers don’t, that the RIVER is the END of the devil’s activities in the heart and life of any New Testament church the Holy Ghost is given total and free reign! When the miracle river is flowing in a church our members won’t be out highballing on Saturday night at the local bar and praising God the next morning as if nothing is wrong.

 

When the river flows in our churches, those living in adultery and fornication will not be able to sit in their pew while we preach, but will SQUIRM and TWIST in conviction and either get right or they will get out! I don’t mean the “get out” part in a mean spirited way but Holy Ghost conviction either drives us TO God or drives us AWAY from God; ask Jonah!

 

When the river flows in our churches, our members will no longer watch dirty, filthy movies without conviction nor embrace lewd, lascivious means of worship and pass it off as godly! We’ll recognize that which is holy and that which is profane and wicked! It is embarrassing at times to see the foolishness that goes on in our churches today; but the sadder more embarrassing part is the number of churches who think the foolishness they are participating in or allowing IS OF GOD!

 

When the Holy Ghost is in control, HE will LEAD us into ALL TRUTH and there will not be this blindness on our hearts as to not recognize that which is OF THE CROSS and that which is not! The Cross of Christ is the BEDROCK of ALL doctrine and theology when it comes to our understanding of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Cross is ALSO the bedrock of doctrine and theology when it comes to our understanding of the mighty baptism and infilling of the Holy Ghost! Whithersoever the rivers come SHALL LIVE!

 

 

The Great Multitude of Fish

 

Ezekiel 47:10 -  And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many

 

Not only will there be healing and LIFE whithersoever this river comes, there will be FISH! When we speak of fish we always mean “SOULS!” This means when the river is in our churches people are going to get saved! I want to state it again. When the river is allowed to flow in our churches, people are going to be born again. We won’t be growing our churches by “church growth movement” methods or the theology of the “emerging” church.

 

When the river flows like it should in our churches, we won’t need Rick Warren’s 40 Days of Purpose to keep our people’s attention “focused,” on the things of God. God help us. Neighbor if we have to bring a book into our church to replace the Bible to get people’s hearts right with God – not to sound mean or cruel then our people are LOST! They don’t need the Purpose Driven Life; they need THE LIFE of the power and anointing of the HOLY GHOST River that flows from the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

I need to say this knowing it will draw a response. But if we bring in some Christian rock band to “get the youth” to come we don’t have the river in our church! We’re not called as men of God to stand behind the pulpit to “get the young people.” We’re called by God to preach the WORD OF THE ALMIGHTY under the anointing of the Holy Ghost without fear or favor hanging people over hell itself if need be on a broken stick. Preacher your job is not to make your church “compatible” to the community around us as if we’re the Chamber of Commerce or local Welcome Center. 

 

If people are comfortable in your church all the time chances are the river of God has been pushed aside! I’d rather people who attend my church go out and feel UNCOMFORTABLE enough to repent and make heaven their eternal home because they saw the condition of their souls as to have those same people laud and praise my church all the time even though it’s deader than a polar bear’s nose on Sunday and these same people lose their eternal soul!

 

Ezekiel said that everything living, moving thing shall be found in this glorious river and shall live here; whether the river shall come on and prosper, shall be the best of the kind, and shall increase greatly; so that there shall be a very great multitude of fish, according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many.

 

That is the New Covenant pattern of growth – the LORD ADDING to the church DAILY as such should be saved! It’s NOT emptying other churches out of deadbeat, grumbling, complaining, backslidden saints moving church to church seeking to find somewhere to control! It’s the power of the HOLY GHOST that produces New Covenant growth!

 

Acts 6:7 - And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

 

In the creation the waters brought forth the fish abundantly <Gen. 1:20-21>, and they still live in and by the waters that produced them.

 

Genesis 1:20-21

    And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. [21] And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

 

SO believers who are begotten by the word of truth <James 1:18>, and born by it <1 Pet. 1:23>, that river of God; LIVE by it, from it, and have their sustenance and HEALTH exist from it!

 

James 1:18

    Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 

1 Peter 1:23

    Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

 

When we don’t have the living waters flowing from the sanctuary of the Most High, we are as fish upon dry ground; so David was when he thirsted and panted for God, for the living God.

 

Where the fish are known to be in abundance, thither will the fishers flock, and there they will cast their nets; and therefore, to intimate the replenishing of these waters and their being made every way useful, it is here foretold that the fishers shall stand upon the banks of this river, from En-gedi, which lies on the border of the dead sea, to En-eglaim, another city, which joins to that sea, and all along shall spread their nets.

 

When we truly have Jesus formed within our heart and lives He makes us “fishers of men!”

 

Matt 4:19- And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

 

Ezek 47:10- And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.

 

 

Notice, the last phrase of Ezekiel’s description of the fish: EXCEEDING MANY. When we get the river flowing as it should its not so much we have “numbers,” but we will have “exceeding many” true born again Christians among us! These fish shall be “according to their kinds.” In other words it won’t be just white Caucasian fish coming into our churches; it’ll be black fish; Japanese fish; Chinese fish; ARAB fish; Jewish fish; and fish from ALL tribes, tongues, cultures, nations and clans! THIS GOSPEL shall be preached to the entire world, and then shall be end come!

 

Matthew 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come..

   

Trees On The Banks

 

Not only did the river produce abundant healing, fish and power, there were also TREES on each side of the banks of this river – “many trees on the one side and on the other.”  

 

Ezekiel 47:7

    Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other

 

Ezekiel 47:12 -  And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

 

There are five characteristics of these trees:

 

1.   They shall be for meat (food).

2.   The leaves will never fade. This means they will be evergreen fruit trees.

3.   The fruit will never be fully used up for the trees will produce abundantly.

4.   New fruit will be produced monthly instead of annually.

5.   The leaves will be for medicine. There will be healing and preservation of life qualities about the very leaves which will cause human bodies to live on and on, without sickness and disease. The properties in the leaves will no doubt renew the cells of the body and cause longevity. The bodies of men will be perfectly healthy because of perfect nutrition—partaking of all the necessary minerals and vitamins.

 

This is a very a similar view of John’s glorious vision of the tree of life in the New Jerusalem!

 

Rev. 22:2

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

 

This speaks to us today of the ministry the Holy Spirit producing CHRIST in the life of the believer! Paul said Christ is IN US, the HOPE of GLORY! The “glory,” spoken of here can only be produced by the conduit of the Holy Spirit.

 

Col 1:27

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

 

In Christ, we are “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord,” set by the rivers of water, the waters of the sanctuary, grafted into Christ the tree of life, and by virtue of their union with him made trees of life too, rooted in him.

 

Isaiah 61:3

    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

 

Psalm 1:3

    And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

Col. 2:7

    Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

   

The “meat for food,” speaks of doctrinal truth the Holy Spirit leads the believer to that keeps our faith anchored in Christ and Him Crucified!

 

Heb 5:14

But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

The “leaves never fading,” speak of the sustaining power of God’s grace in our lives to those who keep their faith anchored in Christ! We don’t “burn out” for Jesus, we just “burn UP” for Him!

 

Jude 1:1- Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

 

When we come to Christ, He CALLS us, Sanctifies us, and PRESERVES us by HIS GRACE!

 

The trees produce “abundant fruit,” as will the believer who is rooted and grounded in Christ and His finished work at Calvary!

 

John 15:1-5

    I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

Not only did the trees produce abundant fruit, but produced it monthly, not annually.

 

In Christ, we have a source that is eternal and never ending! We have a CONSTANT source of Grace in times we need it! He never says “no,” to a seeking and thirsty heart!

 

Hebrews 4:14-16

    Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Hebrews 13:5

    Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

Finally, the leaves will be for medicine speaking of the believer’s union with Christ producing healing to a lost and dying world. As the old song goes, “touch THROUGH me, Holy Spirit, touch through me. I will be your hands reaching out to others; my lips Lord will not be SLOTHFUL Lord to speak. I will be my brother’s keeper, for someone who is always in need; touch through me Holy Spirit, touch through me.”

 

Only the Holy Spirit can do this! Only the glorious power of the miracle river of God can do this! Only when we find ourselves swimming in this river in waters over our head can we expect the Holy Spirit to produce such in our lives!

 

Isaiah 44:3-4

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: [4] And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.

 

In Closing – The Miry Places Will Be Given Over To Salt

The miry and marsh places will be left to produce salt for man.  The Septuagint says that when the waters overflow their banks into these places they will turn into salt.  Thus there will be a perpetual source of it in this area.

You ever heard of “pouring salt into a wound?” Salt by itself poured on wound stings, burns and will cause you to grimace in greater pain believe me. But if you take that same salt, MIX IT WITH WATER, and apply it in a healing manner, it may still sting, but it will produce healing over time administered the right way.

If we reject the waters of the river, the end result will always be just salt. When we allow the Holy Spirit to flow and overflow its banks we will see true healing come to the Body of Christ! Whithersover the Rivers shall come shall also come power, abundance, grace, and LIFE.

 

To the individual this offer is also available. Many in the corporate church world has rejected these waters but He offers the river today to you, the individual, reading this message. Come quickly to the water of life neighbor, it’s getting late today! Come quickly, dive in, and DRINK from the fountain of life and feel the power of His grace transform your hurting heart and life!

 

Are you thirsty today? Get in this river! Are your hurting today? Get in this river! Are you lost today? Repent today, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the source of these rivers, and you will be saved! THEN GET INTO THIS RIVER! As I end this message let me leave you the words of a song, “Ho, Such A One Who Is Thirsty,” which states it as simple as I can state it here the call of Christ today for us to come to these waters. God Bless.

 

Ho, Such a one who is thirsty in Spirit

Ho, such a one who is weary and sad

Come to the fountain, there’s fullness of blessing

All that you’re longing for come and be blessed

 

I will pour waters on him who is thirsty

I will pour floods upon the dry ground

Open your heart for the gift I am bringing