Study Audio Download

Ezekiel 47:1–23 The Water that Flows from the Temple

[Study Aired Feb 10, 2025]

Introduction

In today’s study, the Lord showed Ezekiel the water emerging from beneath the threshold of the temple, its depth and rise, together with its healing virtue. The study also focuses on the trees growing along the banks of the river and the fruits they produce on a monthly basis.

After this the focus of the study is turned to the inheritance of the people of Israel and the extent of the land the Lord has apportioned to them. The Lord also gave instructions on how strangers dwelling among the people of Israel should be treated regarding the inheritance of the people of Israel.

This water issuing out of the temple, together with the inheritance of the people of Israel apply to us as we look at the spiritual significance of today’s study.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 

The Water flowing from the threshold of the Temple

Eze 47:1  Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. 

Being brought unto the door of the house on a positive note implies having the privilege to be given the treasure of the kingdom of heaven. In other words, it means being given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven or being shown the way to become an overcomer as seen in the story of Naaman when he went to the door of the house of Elisha.

2Ki 5:9  So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
2Ki 5:10  And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 

Gen 43:19  And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,

Gen 43:23  And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

The Lord bringing Ezekiel, a type of the Lord’s elect to the door of the house is therefore to let us know the way to become an overcomer. It was at the door that Ezekiel saw waters coming out of the threshold of the house. This water is the truth of the word of the Lord which is able to save us. The house here is the temple where we gather as the Lord’s elect. It is from our gathering together as the church of the firstborn or Jerusalem above that we see this water or the truth of the word of the Lord right at the very beginning of our walk with the Lord in the spirit.

James 1:21 So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. (AMP)

The fact that the water flows from the right side of the house is significant. The right side of the house is the assembly of the elect as shown in the following verses:

Eze 10:3  Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.

Mat 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 

The cherubims represents the Lord’s elect. This water is therefore what every joint supplies to nourish us to grow up unto him in all things.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 
Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

The water flowing eastward is to let us know that this water is available to those whom the sun, which represents Christ is rising in their lives. On a positive note, the south side of the altar where the water is coming out of the temple signifies the truth of the word of the Lord which is able to turn again our captivity in Babylon or the churches of this world.

Psa 126:4  Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 

Jdg 1:15  And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs. 

Eze 47:2  Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. 

It is the Lord who leads us through the north gate and around the outer east gate. The north signifies the Lord’s judgement of our old man or flesh. As indicated, the east refers to the rising of our Lord or the sun within us. We are therefore being told that it is those whom the Lord is establishing His kingdom within them who are being judged. As shown earlier, the right side represents the Lord’s elect. It is the through the Lord’s elect that we are shown the truth of the Lord’s words.

Jer 1:13  And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
Jer 1:14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Jer 4:6  Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

Eze 47:3  And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. 

The man having the measuring line is Christ. The man going eastward means the Lord coming to His people to establish His kingdom within them. It is the Lord who brings us through the waters. That means it is the Lord who comes to us with His words. The Lord measuring a thousand cubits (1000 = 10x10x10) of distance is to let us know that it is when our flesh has reached its fulness (significance of the number ten) that our Lord comes to us with His judgement to bring us to spiritual maturity (the significance of the three tens). The water reaching only our ankles signify that at this point of our walk in Christ, we are used only to the milk doctrines of His words, which we are admonished to move on to spiritual maturity through eating the meat of His words.

Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

Heb 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 
Heb 6:2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 
Heb 6:3  And this will we do, if God permit.

Eze 47:4  Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. 
Eze 47:5  Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. 

These verses show us that there are stages in our walk with the Lord in truth and in spirit. These stages are defined by a thousand cubits. As explained earlier, the number one thousand consists of three tens (1000 = 10x10x10). The number ten signifies the fulness of our flesh and the number three is about the process of spiritual maturity through judgement. This implies that we become spiritually mature in our walk with the Lord through the Lord’s judgement, as our eyes and ears are opened to understand more of the truth of His words represented here by the rise in the level of water from the ankle to the knee, to the loins, until we cannot walk in the water but swim in it.

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. 

Swimming in the water means that all our human endeavor has abated and that we are fully resting in the Lord to carry us along in our walk with Him. Our spiritual maturity is therefore defined by our spiritual insight which causes us to become more obedient to His words as we surrender our lives wholly to our Lord.

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

We know from the word of the Lord that we are able to understand the Lord’s eternal power and even the Godhead through the things that are made. This brings to mind what we learnt in Physics class during our schooling days. It is called upthrust or buoyancy and it is defined as an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of a partially or fully immersed object. This force is what causes us to float in water. The larger the volume of water, the more the upthrust, making it easier to float. This implies that the more we come to understand the mysteries of the kingdom, the more we are given the power to rest in the Lord.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 

Eze 47:6  And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. 
Eze 47:7  Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. 
Eze 47:8  Then said he unto me, 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. 
Eze 47:9  And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and everything shall live whither the river cometh. 

The many trees on either side of the bank of the river represent the people of the world who shall be saved by the river that issues out of the temple as the river brings life to wherever it flows. The river flowing into the desert and into the sea, to make the sea fresh is another way of saying that all humanity shall be saved by the word of the Lord since the sea represents the flesh of humanity. Again, the very great multitude of fish also symbolize the people of the world.

Mar 8:24  And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

1Ch 6:33  Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.

Mat 4:18  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Mat 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 

Verses 7 to 9 of Ezekiel 47 therefore show us the salvation of all men through the word of the Lord which shall take place in the lake of fire age.

2Sa 14:14  For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. 

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

1Ti 4:9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.  

Eze 47:10  And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. 
Eze 47:11  But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. 

In verse 10, the fishers standing upon the brink of the river from Engedi even unto Eneglaim represent the Lord’s elect, who shall be the Lord’s vessels to administer the word of the Lord (the river) to all humanity to usher in the salvation of all men during the lake of fire age. Engedi means the fount of the kid and that of Eneglaim means the fountain of two calves. The reference to Engedi and Eneglaim is therefore to let us know that we shall serve as witnesses of the truth of the word of the Lord represented here as a fountain in dragging all humanity to Christ.

It is instructive to note that the miry places and the marishes in verse 11 shall not be healed. The miry places and the marshes represent clay or earth mixed with water. They signify the false doctrines which comes from our traditions and human wisdom. These false doctrines being given to salt means that they shall be burnt out or destroyed from all humanity, as salt can signify the fire of the word of the Lord, as shown in the following verses:

Mar 9:49  For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Deu 29:23  And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

Eze 47:12  And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. 

In verse 12, we are told that the trees shall grow as meat and that they shall bring forth new fruits according to their months as they are nourished by the water that comes forth out of the sanctuary. This is to let us know that in the fulness of time, all humanity shall become like Christ who is the tree of life having the full understanding of the word of the Lord which brings healing to all nations. We find this verse also mentioned in Revelation chapter 22 as we are given additional information of the trees bearing twelve manner of fruits as follows:

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 
Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 
Rev 22:3  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:
Rev 22:4  And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
Rev 22:5  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

The trees bearing twelve manner of fruits is the same as saying that all humanity shall be like Christ, as the number twelve is the number of Christ.

Our Inheritance

Eze 47:13  Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. 
Eze 47:14  And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance. 

In these verses, we are dealing with our inheritance as the Lord’s elect. In a positive sense, we are the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph in this case represents our Lord Jesus Christ. It is our Lord Jesus Christ who has been given a double or two portions for being the firstborn of all creation.

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 

Deu 21:15  If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:
Deu 21:16  Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:
Deu 21:17  But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. 

The Lord has assured us of an inheritance as He lifts His hand in verse 14 to make us overcomers. In view of this inheritance which is the joy that is set before us, we are required to endure to the very end, just as our Lord Jesus Christ endured the cross and is sitting on the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Eze 47:15  And this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad; 
Eze 47:16  Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazarhatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran. 
Eze 47:17  And the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side. 

Here in these verses, we are given the characteristics of our inheritance in Christ. Hethlon means a hiding place. Other names mentioned are Zedad which means a mountain side and Hamath which indicates fortress. These names are all to show us about the surety or safety of our inheritance in Christ. This is what the Lord says about our inheritance which is consistent with these names of the northern boundary of Palestine:

Mat 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 
Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Other names of the cities on the northern border such as Berothah which means wells and Hazar-enan signifying village of fountain are to show us the availability of water which signifies the word of the Lord which will sustain us in Him. This is the river that proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb to nourish us.

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 
Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Rev 22:3  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:

The surety of our inheritance and the word of the Lord to nourish us is what gives us a double-fold hope which is the meaning of Sibraim, a city also on the northern border of Israel’s inheritance.

Eze 47:18  And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side. 
Eze 47:19  And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward. 
Eze 47:20  The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side.

The key cities on the eastern border were Hauran which means cave land and Gilead which indicates a rocky region. The names of these cities are to show us the safety of our inheritance in Christ. The Jordan River serves as the border between Gilead and the land of Israel. Again, this Jordan river on a positive note is the word of the Lord which nourishes us in Him.

The southern border starts from Tamar and continues to the waters of contention or strife at Kadesh. To the people of the world and our brothers and sisters in Babylon, the word of the Lord which nourishes us is contentious or produces strife. That is to say that for those who are dying, the word of God is foolishness but to us, His elect, it is the power of God.

1Co 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 
1Co 1:19  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 

The city on the boundary of the western border is Hamath which means fortress. That implies the surety of our inheritance in Christ who is a fortress for us. It is instructive to note that the sea is mentioned as part of each of the borders. This is to remind us of our rule over the flesh of humanity as part of our inheritance. When Joshua was leading the people of Israel in their attack of Jericho, he told the people the following:

Jos 6:16  And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. 

Indeed, the Lord has given us victory over the flesh.

Eze 47:21  So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel. 
Eze 47:22  And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. 
Eze 47:23  And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD. 

Dividing the land according to the tribes of Israel means the Lord calling His elect from all the nations of the world to inherit His promise.

Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 

In verse 22, we are told that our inheritance is by lot. This implies that it is the Lord who has predetermined us for an inheritance. As we are aware, the Lord has selected His overcomers even before the foundation of this world.

Jos 14:2  By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

Pro 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. 

In modern times, this is what Proverbs 16:33 means: we may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall. It implies that it is the Lord who has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world to possess an inheritance.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

In verses 22 and 23, strangers sojourning among the people of Israel are also entitled to an inheritance among the people of Israel. The children born by these foreigners among the people of Israel are regarded as part of the people of Israel. We, who are classified as Gentiles by the people of Israel are now no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. We, His elect, are therefore entitled to an inheritance as we represent the spiritual Jews.

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.   

Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

We thank the Lord for showing mercy to us to be counted as fellow citizens of the household of God. May His name be praised. Amen!!