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The flow of the water seen by Ezekiel is of that of a great river, ever flowing and ever growing in volume. It foreshadows the moving of the Spirit over the span of the ages and will reach it grand conclusion as a mighty flood flowing so strongly and so deep, that that he explained them as being waters so broad that they could not be passed over. Each of these thousand cubit measurement represent approximately a thousand years of time. We begin with Abraham, the Father of all who believe, that is, who walk by faith. Then coming to the time of Elijah we see a deepening of the waters. The third measurement begins with the introduction of the church age. The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus and the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. We are now coming to the grand finale, the end of the fourth measurement or the end of the age where the gigantic flow reveals the blessedness of the climax of the Gospel dispensation. Eze. 47:3-5.
The attention of Ezekiel must have been focused on the mighty flow of the river for he is taken back to the brink of the river and his attention is focused on the trees, where he saw an exceeding great number which were growing on either side of the river. Immediately our attention is drawn to the fact that the Lord planted a great variety of trees in the garden of Eden. Trees that were pleasant to look upon, most definitely flowering trees and fruit trees of every kind. While in the heart of the garden was to be found the tree of life. Along with it the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Likewise there was a river which originated in the garden to water it which flowed out of the garden and divided into four rivers. Gen. 2:9-10 There is enough similarity to conclude that both represent the same thought.
When John saw the river it was a beautiful flow of the water of life. What John saw was in contrast to the others for while they produced plant life, the river John saw was the river of life eternal, the life which is found in the Lord Jesus. Its origin was none other than the very throne of the Lord. No wonder it was called the water of life. Like the flooding of Ezekiels river there is no end to the waters of life which dwell within those who are in Christ. It is a constantly flowing well which springs up to life eternal.
John 4:14 It is also a river of pure water, there is none to be found to which it may be compared. A flowing stream which is totally uncontaminated for it is as clear as crystal. So, like crystal it will glitter and reflect light, no doubt revealing all the colors of the rainbow and then some. Rev. 22:1 Anything and everything which the Lord places His hands on, is a work of art which will exceed all the beautiful things of this life by a great degree.