Friday, March 22, 2002
Dear Family:
My kids think I am a little strange because of the music I have. Each day before I leave to start the day I enjoy that music while I study, meditate and pray. There is one from Millennium "The River is Here," which was inspired by Ezek 47:1-20
CHAPTER 47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. 2) Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
This is a prophecy of the crucifixion and the expansion of the gospel. "The waters came from the right side of the house" refers to the pierced side of Christ. When you read and think over these verses at this time of the year many things come to mind but there are some which are unbelievably exciting.
3) And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ancles. 4) 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 were to the loins. 5)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. 6) And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
When we study the word we may only see a group of words. But here God asked Ezekiel, what do you see? This is of course a question we should always ask when we read God's word. God will open our eyes and let us see Him and the truths he has for us hidden in the scriptures. Notice that the water gets deeper and deeper. This has a two-fold meaning. 1) God wants us to get more of the spirit in us and 2) He wants us to spread the word of His love. In the great commission we are told to go to our city, state, country, etc. Only as we mature in Christ are we able to expand our vision and enlarge our mission field. We are to take the message to our family and to the world. Notice the water got deeper and deeper not just deep enough to wash in or take a shower in, we are to swim in it. Think of it , totally immersed in the word and in the spirit of Christ.
"John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (KJV)"
We are not just to get in the water to the ankles but the knees, loins and then swim. We are to be swimming in the spirit of Christ. The thought of this sends chills up and down my spine. One of the great truths and mysteries of Christianity is the indwelling spirit. The spirit gives insight into spiritual things. Those who have never asked God to give them the spirit will never understand spiritual things. When I consider that God gives us the Holy Spirit that flows like a river so wide and so deep that we cannot cross it, I cannot imagine the magnitude of what we will know when all is revealed to us when we cross over in death. So many of our ministers today go to school and seminary where they study theology, bible history and eschatology but then in the rush to learn they forget to hear and see what the spirit says. The living word is only alive when we look and listen.
He said measure a thousand, a thousand and another thousand indicating going further and deeper into spiritual things. As we go further and deeper the water gets wider signifying the spreading of the gospel. Then notice the personal and universal significance of the deepening spirit.
7) Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other .8) Then said he 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. 9) And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. 10) And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. 11) But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. 12) 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.
Everywhere the river goes it heals and brings life. Trees on the banks (trees of life) and then to the Dead Sea and the sea is healed. This again is both spiritual and literal. Think of it. The Dead Sea will literally be healed to produce life and spiritually even hearts so polluted as the Dead Sea and people as barren as the desert will suddenly spring to life. Everyone who will receive the gospel will live. Lost will be saved, saints will be more saintly, the spiritual more spiritual. Then sadly there are those who will not believe or go into the river for healing and life and they will remain marshes, polluted by sin forever. Like Lot's wife they are given to salt.
For the student of the bible and the preacher of the gospel it would be a most beneficial journey to think as if you were in Ezekiel's shoes walking along the water as it goes forth throughout the land. Looking not just on the surface of the water but looking deep into the waters. Diving deep into the heart of this living water to see the deep things of God and becoming spiritually submerged in the flood of the spirit and heart of God. Take of the healing qualities to bring forth greater and sweeter fruit, greener leaves and stronger branches where even men of greater stature than Zacchaeus may perch to see Jesus as he comes near. Just to think that the fruit of the spirit from spiritual men could become as tremendous as the fruit the spies saw in Canaan where a cluster of grapes had to be suspended on a pole between two men because of its size. What a wonderful experience that would be. What a journey! So take a walk beside and swim in this great river of God's and experience all God has intended for us.
"Down the mountain the river flows, and it brings refreshing wherever it goes, through the valley and over the fields, the river is rushing and the river is here.
The river of God sets our feet to dancing, The river of God fills our hearts with cheer, The river of God fills our mouths with laughter and we rejoice for the river is here. The river of God is teeming with life and all who touch it can be revived and all who linger in this river's shore will come back thirsting for more of the Lord. Up the mountain we love to go to find the presence of the Lord. Along the banks of the river we run, we dance with laughter giving praise to the Son."
Love Ya
Dad, Dad2, Chuck and Mr. T
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