Ezekiel 47:1-12
1 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.
3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. 6 He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen this?" Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.
7 When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. 8 Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. 9 And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. 10 It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. 12 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."
This description of the river flowing from the new temple in Ezekiel’s vision is a remarkable parallel to the New Jerusalem with the river and its trees for the healing of the nations in Revelation 22:1-2 where the river of life waters the trees. Here it is a vision of a new temple to be built on earth, but it points far ahead to the end of time as well. The picture is the same, however; the river has its fountainhead under the temple from the east gate where the LORD enters in in His glory (Ezekiel 43:4-5), just as in eternity the pure river of life from God comes from under the throne of God and of the Lamb. Here is only a description of the river and its source given for Ezekiel to see and record for His people to read and reflect on its meaning. We now after Christ has come have been given more clarity to see further the intent the LORD was showing beyond the rebuilding of the earthly temple. He wanted to point to the heavenly Jerusalem to come down with God on the throne as our temple and life eternally springing out of Him. The trees likewise are watered but that river of God to heal the nations and all creation which has been marred by our sin, the same creation groaning even now continually (Romans 8:21-22) for redemption and final healing. The river pictured here brings life and healing of these corruptions. The trees receiving these waters of eternal life will give food and health as divine medicine for us. There seems to be abundant food for God’s redeemed for the river as well portrayed in the numerous fish. All this is because the waters flow from the sanctuary of the Living God, along with the Lamb as we now know more of the story. How wonderful that God would give us a glimpse into eternity as far back as in the time of Ezekiel for us to pause in awe and wonder at His mighty sovereign works of His predetermined design! Passages like these reveal God’s unfolding plan for His creation and people whom he calls to Himself to worship, serve, and enjoy together forever. Glory in grace for the healing water and trees!
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