Ezekiel 47 Footnotes

Ezekiel’s picture of the “river of living water” forms part of the vision of the “new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven” (Rv 21:2) in the revelation to John (Rv 22:1-3). Both passages envision a new quality of life governed by the influence of the worship of God. Water, a commodity not always easy to obtain in the Near East, is a biblical symbol of life—not only physical life but life in its deeper dimension as the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the human spirit. He invites all to come to the living waters available in unending supply (Is 55:1; Jn 4:14; 6:35; 7:37-39). The “water of life” flows from the temple, and from the “throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rv 22:1) in the heavenly city. Christian worship, which celebrates the sacrifice of Christ and exalts God the Father as King, can be a release of divine power in human life—the power of the Holy Spirit—for healing, spiritual sustenance, and productive activity that blesses others. Thus interpreters can see in Ezekiel’s vision a charter for the worshiping church, whose influence permeates and transforms the barrenness of surrounding cultures.