EZEKIEL 47 & Revisiting a DREAM

Several days after our Savior’s birth, a dream I previously was given, was brought back to my attention.  Dream mentioned July 8^th 2013 of blog entry.   I wrote these words of reflection in my journal.

“Do not partake from the sea of humanity but take from the Mountain, the ROCK- that gives only good sustaining water.  For the water that comes from the sea makes one sick and naked and fruitless.  I have seen the seawater do what is unnatural.  Instead of staying in the sea it is pouring onto the land stripping the trees of their bark leaving them unprotected and exposed.   There are no leaves in their canopies; all the fruit has been laid to waste.  The lands have been poisoned.  The way into these lands is fenced off to my companions and I, to only witness the shame.  It is a hopeless land.  It is a cursed place.  It has trusted and given into the ways of man instead of God, the GREAT MOUNTAIN and ROCK.  But still there is hope for those who don’t submit to these seas.  For those who realize this place is not their home and place their hope in the LORD, who is all light and adorns us with His light by his grace and mercy through our Savior JESUS CHRIST.”

EZEKIEL 47

I was then guided by the Spirit to Ezekiel 47:1-12

“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. 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. 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. 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. 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. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river. When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. 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. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the river goes, 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. It shall be that fishermen will stand by it (The Dead Sea) 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 (Mediterranean Sea), exceedingly many. But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. 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 passage from Ezekiel has reminded me how that the Spirit puts the puzzle pieces of God’s truth together through both the New and Old Testament.  They not only compliment each other but reveal each other by what is being spoken of as well.

Jesus said, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” Matthew 13:52

So what is the Spirit revealing to us in this passage?  Let’s take a look at the objects and things He has chosen to illustrate truth.

THE TEMPLE

In the beginning of the 47th Chapter, Ezekiel continues in what I believe is a vision or dream.  He is at the “temple of God.” What does the Spirit of God remind us of in New Testament about the word temple? 
 

We, the believer in Jesus Christ, are the temple of God.

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 6:16

THRESHOLD OF GOD

Next Ezekiel notices water is coming out from under the threshold of the temple.

It is as if water is being drawn up like a sponge through the foundation and is pouring out from the threshold. 

Note: The Christian’s foundation is set upon God’s truth. (Matthew 7:25)

What is a threshold?  A threshold is an entrance/door. 
 

John 10:9 Jesus said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

John 14:6 Jesus also said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus is the threshold of the consciousness/reality of God.  Only through Jesus do we discover what is means to walk in the ways, God intended for us to walk, discover and live in the truth of God and have life through God’s plan and purpose.  Only through Jesus are the veils removed, the unseen- seen.  The impossible made possible.  He is the one who puts pieces together and reveals the deep things of God at precisely the right time.  A person has a wasted life or might as well have had no life at all if they don’t have God.

Note: Jesus is also known as the “Word”.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“And the Word became flesh and dwell among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and mercy.” John 1:14

“He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20.  

WATER

Water can represent baptism (the old has passed away and new life as began in Christ/God).  Water in this case represents the Spirit of God/ Holy Spirit.  In the temple's case, it represents the Spirit of God living in us ( the believer in Christ Jesus).

The threshold (Jesus) gives water (the Holy Spirit) to the temple of God (the believer in Christ).   

“That he might sanctify and cleanse her (the church/body of Christ) with the washing of water by the word.”  Ephesians 5:26

• Think of Jesus, the WORD, is sanctifying and cleansing us with His Spirit-Holy Spirit. 

”And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel 36:26-27  (Cleansing and sanctification)

Jesus said “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14

IMPORTANT NOTE: John 3:3-6 Holy Spirit who gives eternal/everlasting life.

Fountain is translated as a “spring of water.”  The “Spring of Water” and “Rivers of living water will flow from your heart” is represented as the Holy Spirit living and working in the believer of Christ.

“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)”  John 7:37-39

Psalm 36:9 says,  “They feast on the bounty of your house; you let them drink from your river of pure joy.  Within you is the spring of life. In your light, we see light.

Again, we can’t receive  and drink God’s living water, the Holy Spirit, unless we give our life to Jesus.   

This is important to remember because the people of this world can’t understand the word of God and even at times when we try to understand God’s word in our own understanding instead of submitting to His Spirit, we too won’t understand what is being said.  We can’t embrace it.   We can’t see and understand with Godly understanding unless we submit our life to Jesus for He is the one who gives the Holy Spirit and understanding through the Holy Spirit.  

Jesus is the Threshold.  He is the birth into the Spirit of God in our lives.

THE DEEPENING OF THE RIVER

Ezekiel then writes, “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.”

The deepening of the river is the illustration of us gaining a deeper “living” understanding of the things of God- things that we could not come to see or understand, build upon, and live in without the Spirit.   By the Spirit we learn and build upon precept to precept/understanding upon understanding.  By the Spirit we see and live and are equipped in the things that are far beyond our understanding and what we can imagine. 

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26

“But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets.” 1 Corinthians 2:10

Living by/according to the  “river of God” is a choice but notice everything that the River/Spirit doesn’t touch is given over to salt are remains salty.  Everything the Spirit doesn't touch simply dies.

SALT 

Salt is a tasty and a good thing for preserving.  Jesus speaking a warning to his followers said, “You are salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?  Can you make it useful again?  It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” Matthew 5:13  

But here in Ezekiel salt is looked at in an entirely differently.  Jeremiah has the same sentiment.

Jeremiah 17 says the same thing.  This is what the LORD says, “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD.  They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future.  They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives.”

Remember what happened to Lot’s wife in Genesis 19? She didn’t heed the warning of the angels who said, “Run for your lives! Do not stop anywhere in the valley.  And do not look back! Escape to the mountains, or you will die.”  “But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26

Her heart was not on the word, warnings of or the things of God but on the evils in Sodom and Gomorrah.  Her heart was on the things that were going to be destroyed.  She had her focus on the things of this world.  She loved her life that was in Sodom and Gomorrah.  

Jesus tells us the world and the heavens (sky/stars) are going disappear/be destroyed. Matthew 24:35-37.  He tells us to not the love this life or this world and whoever does not love this life or this world will preserve their life forever into eternity.  John 12:25.  For life is not in this world but in God/Jesus.  God didn’t design this world to be corrupt but man has corrupted it with his sin.  Sin corrupts and ends in death- where no one lives.
     

“For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.” Romans 8:13-14

TREES

Ezekiel then speaks of the “trees” along the riverbank.  These trees along the riverbank represent the children of God who draw up nourishment and strength from God’s truths by the Spirit of God.
  

Jeremiah 17:5-8.  This is what the LORD says, “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD.  They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future.  They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives.  But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.  Such trees are not bothered by heat or worried by long months of drought.  Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.”

  
THE SEA, FISH, FISHERMEN

We know by looking at the map, En Gedi is located on the Dead Sea.  And according to "experts" the Dead Sea is SO saturated with salt that no fish or frog can survive in it.  

However... the Jordan River that flows into the Dead Sea does have fish in it.

Let's take that picture in our mind and compare it to the word of God.   The Dead Sea is the "Sin and death" and the Jordan River is the "Spirit".  What does the word of God say about the "sin and death" and the "Spirit" 

"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.  So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace."  Romans 8:5-6

Living in the Dead Sea is living in/practicing "sin" which leads to death but living in the "River" is living in the Spirit of God that leads to life and peace.

Jesus said  "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"  Matthew 16:26

 Ezekiel writes: "When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the river goes, 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. 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 (Mediterranean Sea), exceedingly many."       

We (Christians) are told to go into all the world (The Sea of Humanity) and share the word of saving grace of Jesus Christ.   The Holy Spirit lives in us.  We are healed from the life of practicing sin and we find out what it means to live in God, who is life.   And as we allow the Spirit of God to work in us, he uses us to heal, encourage, and reconcil people with Himself. 

2 Corinthians 5:19-21 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sin against them. And he gave us this wonderful message or reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

   1 Peter 2:24 "He personally carried our sin in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

By Christ we are saved, he makes us acceptable to God.   When God sees a person who has given their life to Christ, God sees a child of God.   He sees His Son's holy blood that paid for all our unrighteousness. 

   

 Jesus said "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world.  The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the godly, throwing the wicked into the fire.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Do you understand?” Matthew 13:47-49

THE NETS and EN GEDI & EN EGLAIM  

I have really struggled on En Gedi and En Eglaim and what to make of En Gedi and En Eglaim.  I have sought the Lord some MORE and you might be as surprised by the answers. 

Jesus said, “This is the way it will be at the end of the world.”  Why are nets just at En Gedi and En Egliam?  Is there something important we should know about their position?

"Then fishermen will stand on its shores spreading their nets all the way from ‘Ein-Gedi to ‘Ein-‘Eglayim. There will be as many kinds of fish as there is in the Great Sea, [the Mediterranean,] a great variety. However, its mud flats and marshes will not become fresh but will remain salty." Ezekiel 47:10-11 Complete Jewish Bible.

En Gedi is the spring of male young goat/kid.  It's 80 degree life giving water is surrounded by harshness- from 100 degree days to bitter tasting sea waters, mud, heavy salted beaches, desert, to 400 foot high desert walls.   (No doubt a spring a goat would find.)  The Spring of En Gedi itself is a welcome oasis from the harshness that hides and surrounds it.  It provides water for grapevines and date palms.   It has been a sight of for archaeologist and a tourist.  After all it was the place David hid from Saul - The stronghold of En Gedi.  (More info here: http://classic.net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=En+Gedi)

En Eglaim is the spring of two calves. A place that seems to be a mystery to any modern map or theologian.  However Isaiah 15:8 speaks of it in the land of Moab which is in modern day Jordan.  Moab in Isaiah's vision was under the judgement of God.  More info here: http://classic.net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=En+Eglaim

So taking into account the site of En Gedi and En Egliam seem to be on opposite sides of the Dead Sea, goes right along with Jesus' dragnet illustration.   Angels standing on opposites of the shores and gathering their catch of humanity in their nets at the end of the world. 

When I was thinking of the spring of En Gedi and all the harshness that surrounds, I thought "Nothing is impossible with God."  With all the elements and circumstances that surround the spring of En Gedi, it still pours forth life sustaining water.   It rises to the height of 656 feet above the Dead Sea.   It waters the fruit trees and vines below it.  It is a sanctuary for animals to come eat and drink.  And even gives people pools to wade in and cool off.  Does this not illustrate who God is in our life?  Here we are surrounded by the harshness of life and here God is giving us living water to sustain us in the middle of this harsh and fallen world. 

What is probably the most interesting fact of all is the source of it's water.  The source of it water comes from the Hebron Hills were it seeps through a "complicated" network of tectonic plates to En Gedi.   Hebron is where Abraham built an alter to the Lord. Genesis 13:18.  AND in Hebron God promised Abraham his descendants would be like dust, that could not be counted.  Genesis 13:16.

And we read, "The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.  What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentile, too, on the basis of their faith.  God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, 'All the nations will be blessed through you.'" Galatians 3:8

Yes! Lots of FISH of many different kinds.

So by Hebron the spring of En Gedi flow and so by Christ the Holy Spirit is given, making us children of God by faith. 

So what does that say about En Eglaim?  Does En Eglaim represent evil?

En Eglaim a mystery yet it's waters are probably flowing into the Dead Sea right now.  And since no one knows where it is, no one knows the source of it's water. 

If we were to stay on this route of two spirits what would that mean?  Just like the Dead Sea, the world has two springs that flow into it.  It has two spirits, flowing into the sea of humanity.  It has the Spirit of Christ- the Holy Spirit and the spirit of evil, - the Devil/Lucifer. 

One is Spring of Life and the other is the spring of death.

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” 1 Corinthians 2:12

John 8:37-47 Jesus said, "I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has not place in you.  I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father."  

They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father."

Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.  But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God.  Abraham did not do this.  You do the deeds of your father."

Then they said to Him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father-God."

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have come of Myself, but He sent Me.  Why do you not understand My speech?  Because you are not able to listen to My word.  You are of  your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because  there is not truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe.  Which of you convicts Me of sin?  And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?  He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."

En Engliam is a mystery indeed.  And sometimes a mystery is meant to be a mystery on purpose- for in time it will be revealed.  

“For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed-the one who brings destruction.  He will exalt himself and defy every god there is and tear down every object of adoration and worship.  He will position himself in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.  Don’t you remember that I told you this when I was with you?  And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when the time comes.  For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.  Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.  This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.  He will use every kind of wicked deception to fool those who are on their way to destruction because they refuse to believe the truth that would save them.”  2 Thessalonians 2:3-10

 “Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth.  He had two horns like those of a lamb, and he spoke with the voice of a dragon.  He exercised all authority of the first beast.  And he required all the earth and those who belong to this world to worship the first beast, whose death-wound had been healed.  He did astounding miracles such as making fire flash down to earth from heaven while everyone was watching.  And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world.  He ordered the people of the world to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and came back to life.  He was permitted to give life to this statue so it could speak.  Then the statue commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.  He required everyone-great and small, rich and poor, slave and free- to be given a mark on the right hand or one the forehead.  And no one could buy or sell anything without the mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.  Wisdom is needed to understand this.  Let the one who has understanding solve the number of the beast, for it is the number of man.  His number is 666.” Revelation 13:11-18 
   

Note: The mark 666 signifies the replacement the Godhead/Holy Trinity- (Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit, Son -Jesus Christ) and replacing them with the unholy trinity- Satan, false prophet, and beast.

The world is evil now but there is coming day when the spirit of evil in all its bitter strength will be unleashed and will succumb the world with its treachery and darkness.  And the horrors the world deemed as horrors, will only be tales of what will be experienced

But evil and those who love evil, their days will end.  Jesus will come.  And as all things began in the beginning with the Word, evil is be struck down by the power of the Word.
 

“He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.  The armies of heaven, dressed in pure white linen, followed him on white horses.  From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations.  He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God. On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:13-16

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Through Jesus Christ, the Spirit gives life and yes even takes life. (Remember Ananias and Sapphria. Acts 5)

FINAL WORD  

JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE.

It is incredible that we as Christians carry the Holy Spirit?  We carry God the Creator within us.  We “dedicated” ourselves to God/Jesus and he came to live in us.  We- the imperfect building, have within the perfect God living inside- changing us from the inside out.  

  

And now as we walk through this life, in the sea of humanity, God’s Spirit goes with us and gives us the ability to touch people’s lives with Christ’s love and message of saving grace. 
  

Jesus told his disciples, “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you; you will receive power and tell people about me everywhere- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth.“ Acts 1:8

Through Christ Jesus the veils of darkness comes down and the prisoners are set free.   Through Christ Jesus the blind, deaf and lame are healed and made new.  Through Christ, we are saved from tortures of hell.  We are made over as vessels of God's saving grace by Jesus.

WHEREVER the RIVER GOES THE SEAS ARE HEALED. 

God, may we be found and submitted to YOUR RIVER, YOUR WATERS, in Jesus Name, Amen.

"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.”