To enable us to understand what 'Rivers of Living Water' means to us today as born-again Christians, let's first examine the term's meaning from the Old Testament from the book of Ezekiel and then correlate it with the New Testament scriptures and the words of Jesus.
The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.3 As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.
5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. 6 He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7 When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. 8 He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. 9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. 10 Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. 11 But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”
What are the dynamics of Ezekiel’s river of life?
Ezekiel was in the Spirit when he was given his revelation:- It flows from the temple – vs 1-2
- The further in you go, the deeper it gets and the faster and further it flows – vs 3-6
- Wherever the river goes and whatever it touches, it brings life – vs 7-9
- Wherever it goes it brings provision (teeming with fish and trees continually bear good fruit) and healing – vs 10 -12
- Wherever it goes it changes bad to good (Dead Sea is changed from salt water to fresh water) – vs 8
- Because of the river the trees will continually bear good fruit – vs 12
What does this mean to today’s Christian?
What is the temple today?
1 Cor 6:19 (NIV)
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
We (Christians) are the temple, both as individuals and corporately as His Church and we belong to God because we have repented from our sin and we know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour
What is the “river” today?37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
In verse 37 above we learn that Jesus was in the Temple on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) when he stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink......"
Now, the question is, "Why did Jesus say this at this time on the last and greatest day of the festival?" The Lord does not do or say things randomly there is always a significant spiritual reason for what He says and does!
So let's have a look at this through the eyes of His audience at the time - the Jews. Only the Jews were allowed in the temple - gentiles were a definite no, no!
This was the last and greatest day of the festival according to John 37 above. On this day a very special ceremony was performed by the priests around the altar.
This ceremony on the last day was called 'Hoshanna Rabbah' which means 'judgement delivered'. The Feast of Tabernacles celebrated the judgement of the Egyptians during the Exodus and God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and His provision for them in the wilderness.
The celebration, especially on the last day involved lots of music, singing and dancing - a real good old fashioned Jewish party, but sadly all in the flesh!
During this celebration the priests would march around the Temple's altar seven times pouring out a continuous flow of water on it and praying for God's provision of rain on their crops during the winter which is the rainy season in Israel. The Mediterranean climate of winter rainfall and summer drought!
Hence the comments our Lord makes in John 7:37-39. He must have had to shout this out really loud to be heard over the noise of the party!
Now we can see why the Lord said what he said! "Anyone who is thirsty come to me and whoever believes in me rivers of living water will flow from them - the Holy Spirit."
Without the infilling of the Holy Spirit and His guidance, we will not be effective Christians and we will be unable to walk the path to spiritual maturity! Jesus sent the Holy Spirit specifically to help us to do this!
John 14:16-17; 26-27 (AMP)
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.
26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
What did Jesus do here when he shouted out his statement
1. He declared that He was the way to life - He is the Messiah they have been waiting for!
John 14:6 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
2. He turned the physical (the man made ritual and the party) into the Spiritual – the flesh into the Spirit! The Spiritual is so much more important than the physical. Come to Jesus before all other things!
Mt 6:33 (NIV)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
When we’re living life in the spirit we won’t have to worry about our physical provision. Life in the Spirit is so much more important for us than trying to satisfy the needs of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV)
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
3. He told them that when we hunger and thirst after Him, we will be a blessing to others in many ways, rivers of living water will flow from us and bring life to others who we touch just as Jesus does!
John 6:35 (NIV)
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
We the Church, as born again Christians are need to be fully immersed in the Holy Spirit, both as individuals and corporately as His Church – moving or flowing (like a river) in the power of the Holy Spirit! Glory to Jesus!
Get as deep into the flow of the Holy Spirit as you can! Not just up to the ankles, knees, waist or shoulders, but get fully submerged, let the Holy Spirit take you wherever He wants you to go. Get fully submerged so He can bring glory to Jesus through you! He will lead you in all truth and enable your actions to lift Jesus higher!
Live life in the Spirit as the Apostle Paul encourages to do in Romans 8!
When we, the Church, fully understand and recognise that we have the Holy Spirit within us and can be continually filled with the Spirit and begin to move in His power, wherever we go, good things will happen!
- We will be light in the darkness.
John 1:4-5 (NIV)
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Signs and wonders will follow us.
Acts 2:43 (NIV)
Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
- We will heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons.
Matthew 10:8 (NIV)
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
- We will continually bear good fruit.
Matthew 7:17 (NIV)
Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
- Wherever we go we will bring light and life.
Psalm 36:9 (NIV)
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
- We will have an abundant life.
John 10:10b (AMP)
I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
- The fruit of the Spirit will be manifest in us and through us. It is to God's glory that we bear much fruit!
John 15:7-8 (AMP)
7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- We will live in His rest.
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- We will live in the unity of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
- We will be a powerful Church.
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- We will be following the way of God's love and the Spiritual gifts will be manifest in us and through us.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
When we are fully submerged in the River of Life, the Holy Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of flesh and we will be pleasing to God and walking in the righteousness of Christ where we receive holiness and redemption!
Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV)
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
When you are fully submerged in the Holy Spirit you are no longer in control of your life - He is and this is the place that every Christian needs to be, so that the Holy Spirit can empower you to do great things in the name of Jesus!
What the Holy Spirit does through you will always bring glory to the name of Jesus! The deeper you go in the Holy Spirit the greater things He will do in you and through you - you will also be transformed more and more into the image of Jesus which should be the ultimate aim of every born again Christian!
It is not about what we do in the flesh, it is about what we do in the Spirit that will bring glory to Jesus! Our salvation does not lie in what we do but in what Jesus did for us on the Cross! And what we do thereafter according to His will in the power of the Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus. We need to be doers of the Word!
Luke 11:28 (NIV)
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
The scriptures encourage us to be imitators of Christ in every way and thus live lives filled with the unconditional love of God!
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
In the very last chapter of the Book of Revelation and thus the last chapter of the Bible, Jesus brings everything together in a picture of His glorious return where we see the river of life coming together with the tree of life which will bring healing to the nations! Come soon, Lord Jesus! Come! Amen.
Rev 22:1-2 (NIV)
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
It is the Holy Spirit who will lead us and guide us in our daily walk with Christ - it is the Holy Spirit who empowers us and changes us to be more like Jesus.
John 16:12-15 (AMP)
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.
Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit - this will please the Father and bring glory to Jesus!
Prayer
Dear Lord, if I have found favour in your eyes teach me your ways. I ask that you continually fill me with your Holy Spirit that through me you would do great things to the glory of your Name. Create in me a pure heart, I pray, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within me. Humble me Lord, I pray, under your mighty hand! Amen.
To Jesus belongs all glory honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Last updated: 8 April 2024.
