Ezekiel’s temple will have waters that come “down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar” (v.1). These waters will flow eastward out of the temple complex. They will flow deep—as “waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over” (v.5). “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” (v.8). In other words, this river will flow into the Dead Sea and heal its waters so that “there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither” (v.9). The Dead Sea shall come alive and fishermen will use its banks as “a place to spread forth nets” (v.10) and fruit trees of all kinds shall line the banks of the river (v.12).
The Bible begins with a river that flows out of the garden of Eden and parts into four heads (Genesis 2:10) and ends with “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1). The psalmist tells us: “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy places of the tabernacles of the most High” (Psalm 46:4). Ezekiel shows the fulfillment of this prophecy.
The river brings refreshment and life wherever it goes. So does God. His river brings eternal life to the believer in Christ so that “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). We are told how the blessed man “shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water” (Psalm 1:3). Have you drunk from the living fountain? Are you planted by the rivers of water with your roots drinking from the endless supply of God’s grace and truth? God still calls sinners and saints alike to Himself. “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” (Revelation 22:17).
