Monday, March 10 – Ezekiel 47, 48

1. What was coming out from the threshold of the House of God? (Ezekiel 47:1)

2. What happened to the waters as they flowed farther from the House? (Ezekiel 47:3-5)

3. What is the meaning of “Jehovah-Shammah”? (Ezekiel 48:35)

Ezekiel 47 presents a vision of the river of life flowing from the temple, symbolizing spiritual healing, restoration, and the life-giving power of God’s presence. This river, which begins as a small stream from the temple’s threshold, becomes deeper and wider as it moves forward, illustrating the progressive and transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people.

This river also represents the expansion of the gospel and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Just as the water deepens as it flows, so does the spiritual growth of believers and the expansion of God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus spoke of living water in John 7:37-39, referring to the Holy Spirit. The river’s gradual deepening signifies the Spirit’s increasing influence on individuals and the world.

Ezekiel 47:8-9 describes how the river heals the Dead Sea, turning its salty waters fresh. This symbolizes God’s power to bring life where there was once death, just as Christ revives sinners and restores the broken. This vision aligns with Revelation 22:1-2, where the tree of life stands by the river, bringing healing to the nations, a promise of restoration in the New Earth.

God’s people are called to be channels of this living water, spreading the gospel, healing, and preparing the world for Christ’s return. The growth of the river reminds us that as we remain connected to God, our spiritual influence expands, bringing life, healing, and hope to those in darkness. Are we allowing the river of God’s Spirit to flow through us?

Ezekiel 48 describes the final division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel and the establishment of the city Jehovah-Shammah, which means “The Lord is There.” This prophecy has both a literal and spiritual meaning, and while originally intended for Israel, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Christ and His Church.

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states:

“The picture of Israel in the land of Babylon, about to be delivered and restored to its own land, with the associated destruction of Babylon, forms the imagery for a large section of the book of Revelation. The figure is used to describe the Israel of God in their final struggles against the powers of evil, again termed Babylon, followed by the destruction of Babylon and the glorious deliverance of the church. See on Jer. 50:1.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Ezekiel 48:35)

Ezekiel writes: “Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.” (Ezekiel 47:12)

John echoes this in Revelation 22:2: “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.” (Revelation 22:2)

The New Jerusalem John describes in Revelation resembles the city in Ezekiel’s vision. Ezekiel describes the city that could have been, while John describes the city that will be. The twelve tribes of Israel are a recurring biblical theme, representing God’s people throughout history.

The gates of the New Jerusalem, whose inhabitants are redeemed from every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, bear the names of the twelve tribes. According to biblical symbolism, the redeemed, regardless of their ethnicity, are assigned a place among the twelve tribes (Romans 9-11; Galatians 3:29).

Ezekiel declares that the city’s name will be “Jehovah-Shammah”, meaning “The Lord is There.”

John affirms: “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.” (Revelation 22:3-4)

It is beautiful and comforting to see the consistency of God’s prophecies and promises for His people throughout the Scriptures. The prophets have brought messages of warning and hope to God’s people across time. The vision Ezekiel saw closely parallels the vision given to John in Revelation. By God’s grace and power, we will soon see its fulfillment. We will drink from the healing waters and eat from the tree of life.

May we prepare our hearts today for that glorious day!