Streams of God’s life-giving and salvific holiness
Series: Holy – Holy – Holy | Bible text: Ezekiel 47:1–12
The vision Ezekiel received testifies that living water that brings salvation will flow from the sanctuary of the temple. Jesus took this prophetic word and promised that streams of living water will gush forth from the believers. The water, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, will fill and overflow his followers. We as Christians are chosen to bring life and healing to this world.
This year we have already learned a lot about the holiness of God through the various sermons. From Moses and the burning bush, or also about the holiness of God in the tabernacle. Later, the tabernacle was replaced by the temple so that God could reside in a dignified building. The holiness of God is dangerous for the unclean and therefore the temple was divided into different sections. Each section had different access privileges. Only the high priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies, and only once a year, after the strictest cleansing and observance of the sacrificial regulations. If the priest had done something wrong or had been unclean, he would have died in the holiness of God. I recall Pastor Cédric’s sermon on the perilous sanctity.
God chose the Israelites to be His holy people. Unfortunately, they neglected to live godly lives. The Lord tried to bring them back to Himself and in His generosity He warned them several times of the consequences. They proved to be a stubborn people and did not turn back. Therefore, a turbulent time began for the Israelites, during which they had to leave the Promised Land. In this epoch, God entrusted the prophet Ezekiel with a special task. He had to explain to the people with graphic examples why they were exiled. The prophet explained why Jerusalem lay in ruins and why only a heap of rubble remained of the temple. In the book of Ezekiel we get a grim picture of the behaviour of God’s people. Page after page we learn how badly the Israelites behave and what punishment they receive for it. Ezekiel mentions several times that God only does this so that they will repent and return to Him.
Ezekiel: Streams of living water
After endless pages of destruction, darkness and punishments, the prophet suddenly mentions a highly interesting vision. He saw the temple and how water flowed down south of the altar, forming a river so deep that no human being could stand in it. The person in the vision explained to him that many fish live in the water and everything the river touches brings life and healing. We read «All kinds of fruit trees grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves never wither and they always bear abundant fruit. For the river that gives their roots Water gives, comes from the Sanctuary. Month after month, they produce new, tasty fruits, and their leaves serve people as a Remedy» (Ezekiel 47:12 HFA). Life-giving water, what an oasis in the barren region. We who live in abundance are not really aware of the significance of water. Had we lived in this arid region during that time, we would understand the significance of this vision much more easily. Water is the ultimate life-giver of the desert. Ezekiel, who has been given a glimpse of the future, beholds water flowing out of the sanctuary. And everything that the water touches becomes alive and whole.
John: Streams of living water
What is absolutely fascinating is the fact that the Apostle John had an almost identical vision. It is best to compare the two visions briefly. First that of the prophet Ezekiel, followed by John:
«For the river that gave rise to their roots Water gives, comes from the Sanctuary. Month after month they produce new, tasty fruits, and their Leaves serve the people as a remedy» (Ezekiel 47:12 HFA).
«Every month they bear fresh fruit; for the Water of the river comes from the sanctuary. The fruits are used as food and the Leaves as Remedy serve» (Revelation 22:1–3 HFA).
In both visions it is explicitly mentioned that the healing water comes from the sanctuary. It is important to know that God is the source of salvation and life.
Prophecy is a very interesting subject that raises many questions. Are these two visions meant for the same era? Are they literal or symbolic? Or are they both at the same time? The Bible contains a wealth of literal and symbolic actions and stories involving water. Water baptism can be experienced and belongs to the category of symbolic actions. It also still has effects in the invisible world. The salvation of the Israelites, who were literally saved through water, is also symbolic. Water, symbolic or material, is of great importance in the Bible. It occurs in the first chapter as well as in the last chapter of the Bible. In between, Jesus also has something to say on this subject and this is what we want to look at.
Jesus: Streams of Living Water
In the Gospel of John we read: «On the last day, the climax of the feast, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowd»(John 7:37 NLB). The festival of Sukoth, which is also mentioned under other names, lasted a week. Every day, for seven days, a priest drew water from the pool (pond) Siloam and carried the golden jar to the temple. This was followed by a procession around the altar, during which the people sang the Hallel (Psalms 113–118). At the end, they poured the water over the altar. The interesting thing about this water ritual is that many believed that the future Messiah would provide this water.
In this context, Jesus stood before the crowd and said: «If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! Whoever thinks of me believesfrom which Inner streams of living water will flowas it says in the scripture»(John 7:38 NLB). What a statement! He, the Messiah, who not only brings water, but rather makes water givers out of all who believe in him. Through Jesus, who dwells in our hearts, our inner being becomes a sanctuary and out of this sanctuary, as in the temple, will flow rivers of living water that will bring healing to this world. What good news.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites had to go to Jerusalem to the Temple to get close to God. Only one person was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies once a year. And now Jesus promises that God’s holiness dwells within us and will flow from within us into the world and make the world alive. We Christians live in a privileged time. Many Israelites waited eagerly for such an era and never experienced it and now it is possible for us. A tremendous privilege to have the sanctuary within us also brings a responsibility.
The apostle Paul addresses this holiness in us. After serious misconduct by some Christians, he admonishes the church community of Corinth. «Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit living in you, given to you by God?» (1 Corinthians 6:19 NLB). Obviously a rhetorical question. The apostle reminds the believers that they are the temple of God. What is the holy temple of God? I cannot stress enough how groundbreaking this reality is. Before this time, believers went on pilgrimage to a place to go to the sanctuary. In doing so, they did not even have access to the Holy of Holies. Now this holy of holies dwells in the body of the Christians. An unbelievable reality for the former Israelites. Paul does not understand their behaviour: now they have the incredible privilege of having the Holy of Holies and they behave as if it were not there.
In summary the vision Ezekiel received of living, healing water flowing from the sanctuary of the temple. Jesus took this prophetic word and promised that streams of living water would gush forth from the believers. The water, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, will fill and overflow his followers. We as Christians are chosen to bring life and healing to this world. Jesus had interpreted the prophecy symbolically, but we do not exclude the possibility of its material manifestation. A material and symbolic fulfilment of the vision can coexist. I think that in eternity we will see this stream of living water of salvation flowing, and I am already looking forward to it. But until that time comes, I believe in Jesus and that He will make rivers of living water flow from us.
«When Jesus stepped out of the boat and saw the many people, he was seized by deepest sympathyand he healed the sick»(Matthew 14:14 NLB). It is in God’s nature that we all find healing. Jesus had a deep compassion for the sick and he gave everything that we might be raised to real life. From this new life, Jesus» followers are to bring life into the world. It was God’s plan that we carry on his mission. Jesus said: «But believe me, it is good for you that I go away. For if I did not go away from you, the Helper would not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.»(John 16:7 NGÜ). Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit flowing out of us. We, the vessels of the overflowing water that brings healing and life. Everything we say brings healing, our hands save lives, everywhere we go the dead is brought to life and raised.
«Then he said to me: This water flows eastwards into the Araba and there it flows into the Dead Sea. When it flows into it, it heals the water of the Dead Sea. Everything that stirs and moves where the water comes will live. There will be a great many fish, because this Water comes there and makes the salt water healthy. Where this water will flow, there everything will live» (Ezekiel 47:8–9 NLB).
Possible questions for the small groups
- Do you find it difficult to interpret something symbolically, or do you think everything in the Bible has a literal interpretation?
- Could Ezekiel’s vision still be literally fulfilled for the Israelites? In other words, could it be that the Israelites build a 3rd temple and from there rivers of living water flow?
- Do you think Jesus could have interpreted Ezekiel’s vision symbolically?
- Read John 7:37 – 39, what do you think about these verses?
- Can you imagine streams of living water flowing from you?
- Where does God want this current to flow even more? What might that look like?
- Do you see a connection between God’s holiness and the streams of living water that bring salvation?
- What types of healings are there?
