“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” (Ez 47:12)

Ezekiel saw a vision of a perfect temple. It was located in Jerusalem. From under the altar he saw a river coming down, towards the Dead Sea. The river was crystal clear.

In the natural, there is no river in Jerusalem, which is a very ‘dry’ city. This is a picture of the spiritual reality, things we see by faith alone. The spring was little at the beginning, but then it increased in size. With no help from any other source, on its own, the river became a great mass of water, like a flood no one could stop. Wherever the river went, death was defeated and things became alive. The river was measured by an angel, from one thousand cubits, going deeper and deeper. But there were some places that looked like a swamp; these were ‘left for salt’. Life could not penetrate in these places. There were trees along the banks of the river. Their fruit was good for food and their leaves were used as medicine. Their power to heal and bless never failed.

This is a picture of the power of the God. From the day of little beginnings called Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell on 120 disciples, its influence and power has touched all the nations. The Gospel is preached and souls are saved. Each man who is saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is like a drop added to the river. Out from his belly, the rivers of living waters are multiplied. This is how the power of eternal life increases without the help of any religion or the works of men.

But there are some places where the blessing of eternal life will avoid. This is a mystery no man can explain. These are people who hear but reject the Gospel. They become ‘salty and stagnant’. Like a corpse preserved with chemicals, they are unable to repent even if they hear the true Gospel. These are people with stony hearts that remain unchanged, stubborn, bitter or angry to the end. There is no witness of spiritual life within. No prayer, counsel of church can ‘touch’ them. As a pastor, this is one of the most painful and mysterious tragedies I’ve seen in the church.

The angel measured the waters with a rod. It means that with time, the fruit of the Spirit becomes visible and can be ‘measured’. It is true that the Spiritual realm is mostly invisible but there shall be a manifestation of the increase of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the faithful believers.

For example, my love, my joy, my self-control should increase and become ‘palpable’ to me and to others. This is a miracle, especially when the mature character is manifested under provocation or trials. The spiritual fruit of my ministry becomes food to many. They do not just listen to my words, but something else happens; they begin to ‘eat’ my words and feel satisfied.   Wherever the River of life goes to, whatever the anointing of the Holy Spirit touches, whoever flows with the worship, shall be healed and shall be blessed.

May you desire to take the risk and jump into this blessed flood! Say with Esther: “If I perish, let me perish”. But when love sings its last song called ‘It is finished’…when all fears are gone…for the hope of greater things… for the joy of glory ahead and for the love of my Savior… I am finally ready to let go and die…Suddenly, I discover that for the first time in my life, I live, I truly live… I now discover that this fearful river is the safest and the most wonderful place in the Universe. I find myself swimming in the mighty waters that quench the thirst of every soul and satisfy the longings of all willing hearts…

Lastly, I say: “Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” (Then, and only then, you shall understand my words…)

In Christ I declare:

I am born again!

I am Spirit filled!

I am a minister of Christ!

I am healed!

I am satisfied!

I rejoice in hope!

In Jesus name