Ezekiel 40 - 48  The rest of the book of Ezekiel contains a vision of a new Temple and City. Ezekiel is given exact measurements and all the architectural details for this new beginning.. a new place established for the the glory of God to inhabit.  The plans include the offerings and sacrifices required for the Lord to once again "accept" Israel as His people once again.  There will be priests, there will be daily sacrifices, there will be sin offerings... and there will be a prince. 

It is in chapter 47 that we see a different characteristic added to the temple.. a river flowing out from its threshold.  This river begins flowing and gets deeper and deeper.. it brings fresh water as it flows toward the sea.  It brings life everywhere it goes.  There are new trees set on the banks of this river.. trees whose "leaves will not wither and their fruit never 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." (v12)

This brings to mind Revelation 22, where John is also shown a River of Life, "clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.. "  A river that flows down the street.. and "on either side of this river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

Ezekiel has been given an extraordinary vision of a future that has not yet been completed.  One day we will witness all of this for ourselves.. O What a Day that will be!

Father in heaven, one day Your Name will be hallowed by every living being, Your Kingdom will come in perfect holiness and wonder!  Your will.. will be done on earth as it is in heaven.. Your glory will fill the Temple and all will bow before You and before the Lamb, who was slain for us.. that we might come into Your Presence for eternity.  Thank You for this glimpse into Your glory. .into a future that You are preparing for all who call upon the Name of Jesus. Keep us looking up.. keep our eyes open to  see Your greatness and glory... keep our ears open to hear Your Voice.  Fill us with Your Spirit.. with wisdom and revelation.. that we might know You more.. know Jesus more.  Lead us in Your paths of justice and mercy and righteousness, that we might dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Amen.