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The River of Life
by Kristenea M. LaVelle (Kristenea's bio)
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There is a river that flows with the crystal waters of life from the throne of God unto His people. It is refreshing to the soul and brings purity and new life to all it touches. Those who abide in the River of Life experience its cleansing waters and the benefits they bring in a mighty way, for this is a "living river" that flows with the mercy, grace, peace, love, joy and promises of the Living God. It brings healing to the broken, abundance to the barren, and satisfaction to those who thirst.
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17
These "living waters" surge forth from the abundance of God and all are invited to partake of them freely. Though the cost is little, the benefits are more precious than silver or gold and should be desired as a priceless treasure. To fully comprehend the benefits of this incredible river, lets look at what the Bible has to say about the characteristics it possesses:
"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." Revelation 22:1
"…and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward…" Ezekiel 47:1
In this reference to the River of Life, Ezekiel is caught up in a vision where God is showing him the temple. (Ezekiel 47) So the first characteristic of the "living river" is that it flows from the throne of God in the temple. This is important because it establishes the source of this magnificent river, and everything that comes from God not only produces life, but is glorifying to God. God is the source of this river and that is why the waters are pure and undefiled.
To apply this to our lives, we must ask ourselves if our actions and thoughts are glorifying to God. Does what I am doing and saying bring life, or death? Is it Godly? Because everything that flows from God will bring life and give glory to His name. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:17
"…and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over." Ezekiel 47:3-5
The second characteristic is that the waters grow as they flow. However insignificant the flow seems in the beginning, it continues to grow and grow until it is a mighty river that can not be passed over. This gives us a clear understanding of the abundance that comes from abiding in the Spirit of God. The more you give of yourself, your time and your resources, the more you receive in return, and the more you grow as a Christian. It works the same way with the love of God. The more you give it, the more you receive in return. The river is ever growing and ever flowing through the hearts of believers, drawing them ever closer to the source of Life.
"Then he said unto me, these waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed." Ezekiel 47:8
The "waters shall be healed" is sometimes translated "the waters of the sea become fresh". So, the third characteristic of this river is that it purifies and cleanses everything it comes in contact with; and we know this to be true of God. He desires to cleanse and purify those things in our lives that are defiled and corrupted by worldly influences. Jesus said, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." John 15:3. So we are regenerated and made clean through the washing of the Word, which purifies our mind and spirit. "…even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27
"And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which moveth, withersoever the rivers shall come, shall live…and everything shall live whither the river cometh." Ezekiel 47:9
The fourth characteristic is that it brings life to every creature it touches. Everything in the path of this mighty river of God will have life and have it abundantly because everything that flows from the throne of God brings life.
If you are not experiencing this abundant life, then ask yourself if you are partaking of the "living water" on a daily basis? Are you being washed and renewed by the Word of God and are you glorifying God with your actions and thoughts? Jesus said. "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10. You must abide in Him in order to experience that abundance of life.
"And it shall come to pass that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Englaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many." Ezekiel 47:10
The fifth characteristic of this river is that it yields a great harvest of fish. Here Ezekiel is told that fishermen would gather along the rivers edge from Engedi to Englaim, (places along the Dead Sea that were not known for fishing) and would spread their nets and harvest an abundance of fish according to their kinds. Elsewhere, scriptures describes the same thing, "They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes…Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes…" John 21:6, 11. As Jesus teaches, we find that the fish are symbolic of men. This is a remarkable picture of the power of the river of the Spirit of God to change ordinary men into "fishers of men". The harvest of fish is a direct reference to evangelism and the river of God is the power by which men come to a saving faith in Jesus. The promise that God gives here is that the river produces this great harvest of fish!
"And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." Ezekiel 47:12
This is the last, and possibly the most powerful characteristic of the River of Life: it produces trees that are abundant fruit bearers with leaves for the healing of the nations. This verse in Ezekiel is rich with symbolism and pregnant with hope and the promises of God. To better understand the symbolism, lets look at Psalm 1:3 "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." The trees that grow along the bank of this mighty river of God are the righteous (those that walk in God's ways). The river causes the trees to grow so that the leaves do not fade and the fruit does not perish, but that new fruit would continually come forth. The leaves of these trees are also very special because they are to be used as medicine.
Compare that with the promise given in Revelation, "…and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." Revelation 1:2. This is a powerful promise to all believers because God wants to heal all the nations of the world. He desires to heal Russia, China, Serbia, Kosovo and many others. By the power of the Holy Spirit, God is sending His mighty river, in increasing magnitudes to produce in believers the everlasting fruit and never fading leaves that are necessary to bring about the healing of the nations, for God desires to sweep them into His Kingdom.
Have you been drinking from the River of Life? Does your walk with God reflect the characteristics of the River of Life? It is imperative to understand each of these six characteristics and to evaluate and apply them to your life. You will experience renewed strength and zeal for the things of God along with an abundance that surpasses all understanding. I encourage you to take a little walk down to the river…and jump in!
Copyright 2001, Kristenea M. LaVelle. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
| About Kristenea M. LaVelle: I am a wife of 10 years and a homeschooling mother of five dedicated to teaching and living the truth of Jesus Christ. David and I make our home in Spokane, Washington where we can serve our family and friends with the love of Christ. It was through His direction that I began writing and found myself on a fascinating new journey in life. Now my joy is made complete by writing for Him and about Him. E-mail Kristenea |
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