QT 10/3/2023 Ezek 47:6-12, Drinking living water

Ezekiel 47:6–12 (ESV) —

6 And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?”

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7 As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. 9 And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. 10 Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. 12 And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

 

NOTE: There are two rivers with life-giving power that emanate from Jerusalem. This one appears to be in the Millenium since there is a temple. Somewhat symbolically, but also literally, it will flow down to the dead sea and make it pure and alive, and the trees will produce fruit that heals. In the Eternal kingdom, there is also a river that flows from the throne of God (there is no temple) and it also produces fruit each month and healing for the nations. Jesus said that out of him would flow rivers of living water. Jesus' death on the cross took our sin and nailed it to the cross. Jesus paid our penalty. But there is one sin that it will not pay, and that is unbelief. If a person does not believe the gospel, there is no help for that person's soul. They will suffer eternal punishment in Hell, and then in the lake of fire. These events are getting closer. They are evil, dark men who are moving in the world to bring about the reign of the evil one, the antichrist. It is not far.

 

It has been almost 2000 years from Christ's death, and nearing 2000 from the destruction of the temple. I don't know the significance of two one-thousand year periods. But 5 four-hundred year periods does have some significance. Five is a number used for sin and 400 years is the time Israel spent in slavery. Therefore, 5 four-hundred year periods is the time in slavery for the sin of mankind. The other best guess based on creation (3761 BC) as recorded in the bible would be 2240 AD, 6000 years after creation. Then the 7th millennium would begin, God's rest. Jewish oral tradition, which predicted many new testament events, suggests such.

 

PONDER:

1. Today, the Holy Spirit lives in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ and provides the living water Jesus promised. What am I doing to drink of that water?

 

PRAYER: Father, we need to be focused on your word and prayer, because that is how we partake of the living water through the Holy Spirit. Continue to refresh me with your truth and your presence.