The Tabernacle, and the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem all needed a source of clean water. The priests used this to wash themselves before entering the presence of the Lord or approaching the Altar to offer sacrifices (Exodus 30:17-20). So, it’s no surprise that Ezekiel’s vision of a perfect Temple included not a basin, but a river flowing from the same spot.

But instead of the river flowing toward the Temple or the Altar, symbolizing the priests’ need for cleansing before drawing close to God, Ezekiel’s river flowed out of the Temple, toward the east, down into the Dead Sea. And this river did something no other river can do: even though it was fed by no other tributaries, the farther it went away from its source, the greater was its flow. And by the time it reached the Dead Sea, it completely transformed that salty body of water, making it able to support all manner of marine life (Ezekiel 47:2-10).

What does all this mean for us? Well, didn’t Jesus tell the Samaritan woman that He was the true source of living water that springs up to everlasting life (John 4:10, 14)? And when Jesus went to the Temple, He said, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). Yes, the good news is that, in Jesus Christ, the living water of God that cleanses us from sin has flowed out of the Temple, bringing healing to all the nations, to everyone who will put their trust in Him.

But how can the river become stronger the farther it flows from Christ? Jesus went on to explain: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). And so the amazing truth is that everyone who comes to Christ in faith not only drinks from the river, but becomes another source of it, geometrically multiplying the grace of God so that His glory is revealed to everyone who comes into contact with anyone who trusts in Christ.

So, that means that Ezekiel’s vision will not only be fulfilled when Christ comes again to bring Heaven to earth, when the “river of the water of life, clear as crystal” comes “from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1). No, whenever we tell the truth of Christ and demonstrate the grace of God, we can give people a taste of Heaven right here, right now. Let the healing waters flow!

Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NASB)

Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar.
2 And he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side.
3 When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles.
4 Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the knees. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the loins.
5 Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded.
6 And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me back to the bank of the river.
7 Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
8 Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh.
9 “And it will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there, and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.
10 “And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many.
11 “But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.
12 “And by the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”