It is written:
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:37-39)
Having carefully examined the prophecies of Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Zechariah 14:8, we can definitively answer the question: what is the living water of these prophecies?
With the texts firmly in mind, and with the teaching of Jesus Himself, we can see that the living water of these prophecies is a reference to the Holy Spirit Himself. Please notice how this makes perfect sense with everything that we have learned thus far.
First and foremost, Jesus clearly connects the “living water” prophecies (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Zechariah 14:8; also possibly Psalm 78:16; 114:8; Isaiah 43:20; 44:3; 55:1; Joel 3:18) with the Holy Spirit.
Second, the living water would bring forth life to those who were spiritually dead. This, the Spirit of God does through the Word of God (John 6:63; Romans 1:16; 10:17; 1 Corinthians 4:15; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:22-23).
Third, the living water goes forth to all nations. The Holy Spirit regenerates people of all nationalities through His Word (Romans 2:4-11; Titus 2:11-14; 3:5-8; Revelation 22:17).
Fourth, the living water is intimately connected with the Temple (Ezekiel 47:12). Since the Holy Spirit is thus connected with the temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), we see that the life-giving power of the Spirit flows from God’s church to the peoples of the world (Matthew 28:19-20).
The living water is the Holy Spirit.
Furthermore, the Bible is clear that we can look forward to a day when the Holy Spirit will bring new life to the people of Israel and to the various Gentile nations (as clearly prophesied in Zechariah 14). As God’s church, we need to be doing everything in our power to preach and teach His Word to those around us (Acts 8:4).
If you have not received the Holy Spirit, why not accept Him today? As a believer in Jesus death, burial, and resurrection on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), repent of your sins (turn away from them and turn to Jesus with all your heart), and be baptized (immersed in water where the blood of Christ will shed you from your all transgression and you will become a new creature) (Acts 2:37-47; 2 Corinthians 5:17). You will receive the Holy Spirit (Galatians 4:6).
If you have become a Christian but have not been faithful to the Lord, won’t you today repent of your sins confess them to the Lord in prayer to be forgiven and restored (1 John 1:8-2:2)? We stand ready to assist you.
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