Where the River Flows

SCRIPTURE

Ezekiel 47:1–12 NKJV

1 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. 3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. 6 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river. 7 When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. 8 Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. 9 And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. 10 It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. 12 Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

INTRODUCTION

Ezekiel 47 comes near the end of one of the most dramatic prophetic books in the Bible. Ezekiel is prophesying to a people who are living in exile—Jerusalem has fallen, the temple has been destroyed, and Israel is wrestling with the devastating question: Has God abandoned us?

The early chapters of Ezekiel are heavy. They deal with judgment, rebellion, and the consequences of persistent sin. Ezekiel sees visions of God’s glory departing from the temple, symbolizing that Israel’s unfaithfulness has broken fellowship with a holy God. What once was sacred has become defiled, and what once was secure has been torn down.

But the story doesn’t end there.

Beginning in Ezekiel 33, the tone of the book begins to shift. God starts speaking words of restoration instead of destruction, hope instead of despair. We hear promises of a new heart and a new spirit, dry bones coming back to life, and a shepherd who will gather and care for God’s scattered people. God is making it clear: judgment was necessary, but it was never His final word.

Chapters 40 through 48 form Ezekiel’s final vision—a vision of a restored temple, a renewed people, and God’s glory returning to dwell among them. This is not just architectural detail; it’s theological hope. It’s God declaring that He intends to live with His people again.

That brings us to Ezekiel 47.

In this chapter, Ezekiel is shown something remarkable. From the threshold of the restored temple, a small stream begins to flow. It starts as a trickle, barely noticeable, but as it moves forward, it grows deeper and stronger—ankle-deep, knee-deep, waist-deep, until it becomes a river too deep to cross.

Where this river flows, everything changes. Barren places come alive. Dead waters are healed. Trees bear fruit every month. Life appears where death once ruled.

The message is clear: when God’s presence is restored, life follows. What flows from the presence of God brings healing, renewal, and abundance—not just for the temple, but for everything it touches.

Ezekiel 47 is a picture of what happens when God moves from dwelling near His people to flowing through His people. It’s a vision that points beyond Ezekiel’s day—toward the work of the Spirit, the living water Jesus promised, and the life God still desires to release into broken and barren places today.

MESSAGE

The River Has a Source

It flows from the presence of God

It flows from the Sanctuary

It flows from under the threshold

The River Requires Surrender

You’ve got to get in the River

You’ve got to wade out a little bit deeper

You can’t control what God is doing

The River Brings Healing

The River brings dead things back to life

There is no place is too dead for God

WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS, there is life and healing.

The River Produces Fruit

Revival always results in transformation

Those who do not yield to it will remain unfruitful (marshes and swamps)

We’ll never be the same after this revival season

The River Must Flow Out

What God does in us must reach others

There will be a great abundance (great number of fish)

It will be a time for the spreading of nets

CONCLUSION

Today we’ve seen the river of God clearly.

It has a source—and that source is the presence of God. It requires surrender—you can’t control what God is doing. It brings healing—no place is too dead for God. It produces fruit—real, lasting transformation. And it must flow out—what God does in us is meant to reach others.

This river is not a theory. It is not just a vision Ezekiel saw. It is a reality God is still releasing today through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The river is flowing—but not everyone experiences it the same way.

Some stand on the edge and observe. Some step in just enough to feel it. Others go deeper and allow the current to carry them.

God is not asking whether you believe in the river. He’s asking how deep you are willing to go.

You can stay where you are—ankle-deep, safe, in control. Or you can step forward—into surrender, into healing, into life.

And here’s the truth: If you stay on the bank, nothing changes. But if you step into the river, everything can change.

The presence of God is here. The river is moving. Healing is available. And fruit is ready to grow.

So don’t let this be another message you hear. Let it be a moment you respond.

In just a moment, I’m going to invite you to step out— Not because of emotion, Not because of pressure, But because the river is flowing, And God is calling you deeper.

CALL TO ACTION

First Call – Salvation

If you are here today and you know you are not right with God… if you’ve been standing on the outside, distant, disconnected, or far from Him—today the river is reaching you.

The water brings life.

If you need to surrender your life to Jesus or return to Him, I want you to step out and come now. Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. This is your moment.

Second Call – Healing & Restoration

If there are dead places in your life—spiritual dryness, broken relationships, emotional wounds, addiction, fear, or discouragement—the river of God heals what it touches.

If you need God to bring life where things have been dead, I invite you to come forward.

Third Call – Deeper Surrender

If you’re a believer, but you know you’ve been living ankle-deep… you’ve wanted God without giving Him full control… and today you’re ready to go deeper—to stop managing and start swimming—this altar is for you.

This is a call to surrender. A call to hunger. A call to revival.

Final Invitation

If any of these calls speak to you, don’t wait for someone else. Don’t overthink it. Step into the river.

The river is flowing. Life is being released. And God is calling us deeper—right now.