Ezekiel 47:1-12 In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. 2 The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway.
3 Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet[a] and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles. 4 He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. 5 Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.
6 He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Then he led me back along the riverbank. 7 When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. 8 Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea.[b] The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. 9 There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows.[c] Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. 10 Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean.[d] 11 But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”
Scripture in the era of Grace must be discerned spiritually. But to discern spiritually, we must be in HIS Will and always be led by the Holy Spirit who is the one that leads us to all truth.
The temple here represents the throne of God and the water is grace. The water is coming out from under the altar. The stream is flowing passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The stream (water) is passing to the right which represents the flowing of Grace and Mercy from Jesus who sits at the right hand of the Father.
The measurement represents God examining, testing, and proving our hearts within HIS Grace. We are in HIS Grace no matter what circumstances of life we are in. The water was up to his ankles. Grace is at first within our ankle level. When water is flowing at our ankle level, we can sense the flow of direction but we are still strong enough with our own free will to go in our own direction. However, the flow of stream is going in east toward God's Will. At this level, grace is still sufficient. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us IF we go in HIS direction. But we still have our own free will and when the flow is only at our ankle level, we can still freely move and go in our own direction rather than God's. We have a choice as God test us. We can flow with HIM as we can go in His direction or we can go in our own direction as HE leaves our ability of free will.
When we surrender our choices and decisions to HIM and as HE continues to test our hearts and as we PASS, we are measured or examined another 1000 cubits (1750 ft). We have passed our first level of testing and we are now at the second level. The second level is when Grace, power, anointing, and blessings are increased and the flow of stream is now at our waist. When we try to walk in waist high water, we are still able to walk but it is more difficult to go against the flow or stream. When the water is at waist level, the Will of God is much stronger in our lives as HE directs us through the stream of Grace. But still, we have the free will and ability to go in our own direction as our feet is still able to touch the ground.
As we come to complete surrender and full obedience, now we reach the third level as God measures us again which is to prove our faith as we endure and pass the trials, tests, and tribulations. The water or stream is now too deep to walk on. We are now at the full flow of the Holy Spirit in HIS full Will. Our lives are completely surrendered to HIM as HE directs our paths. Our personal will is completely surrendered to HIM as our feet can no longer touch the ground. We have no choice but to swim in HIS direction with HIM. We are now fully empowered by HIS mercy and grace.
Ezekiel 47:11 But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”
But for those who continue to resist the Holy Spirit, as they are offended with bitterness, resentment, and such, they are the marshes and swamps that have not been purified by the stream. As the stream or grace continues to flow and as the water level continues to rise, we are purified and all areas of our lives are healed. The dead sea represents us. We are, in most cases, too salty to have living things live peacefully and in harmony around us. The too saltiness represents anger, bitterness, resentment, jealousy, coveting, etc. Too much salt kills as the dead sea cannot hold life. We in our sin spiritually kill others and ourselves.
But once we are overflowing in the stream of grace and mercy, there is abundant life along the banks. Our obedience to the Lord brings life around us. We will constantly produce fruit, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The trees that represents us will never turn brown or fall. This means we are now at a level where there are no more winters. We have finished and passed our wilderness (trails, tests, tribulations). It is always spring constantly producing fruit for spiritual food and healing for others. This is the promise land. This is the resurrected life with JESUS. This is where we all must come too. We must come to the fullness of our God.
Many in their distress are waiting for rapture as they are so focused on world events. Yes, HE is coming but many miss the point that HE can and desires to come for you on a personal level. We can experience HIM now as we spend time, repenting, dying to ourselves, fully obeying, surrendering to encounter the Lord so that we may live a life of victory. We must come to the fullness of our KING so that we may live a resurrected life NOW for HIS Glory in our spiritual promise land.
Glory to HIM
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
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