There is a distinctive pattern in the will and plan of God. It is simply "as in heaven so on earth"

When Christ came to inaugurate God’s reign, he announces "The Kingdom is at hand". Heaven is invading earth. That’s why He taught us to pray,

"Your Kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven"

There is an amazing view that John saw on his guided tour in heaven. In Rev. 22:1, the angel guide showed him "the river of the water of life as clean as crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the lamb…" This is the heavenly counterpart of Ez. 47.

There are similarities and differences. The river in Revelation 22 is crystal clean – a picture of absolute purity. Ezekiel’s river was probably murky and contaminated like the Jordan River. The heavenly river flows from the throne of God, not from the temple (Ez. 47:1). Fruit and leaves are mentioned in both visions.

The river in heaven depicts perfection and the river in Ezekiel 47, progression.

Let’s focus on Ezekiel’s river:

First, there is progression. In his vision, Ezekiel proceeded from ankle-deep to knee-deep and then to waist-deep and after that the waters were over his head.

Ankle-deep: This is the first stage in the river of God. We jump in, experience its current and coolness. We play and frolic in the shallow. Toronto reminds me of this stage. From January 1994 onwards, many Christians experienced the refreshing love of God. We witnessed His father-heart welcoming and accepting us. We responded to His call for intimacy. Yes, we saw some salvation and healing. But the Spirit was pushing us further.

Knee-deep: This is a critical stage of our spiritual-growth. Knees are for bending, for acknowledging our dependence on God and also for standing in the gap to intercede for other. As we entered the third millennium, we marvel at the spontaneous growth of prayer especially corporate prayer. Christians from outside South Korea began to appreciate the new heights of meeting God in high places. Numerous movements rallied and mobilised believers to prevailing prayer e.g. 24/7 International House of Prayer. Pastor Sunday Adelaja who pastors the largest church in Europe finds several hundred folks coming to conferences where they prayed and fasted. Pastors began to emulate Pastor Sunday in taking three to four days off a month just to seek God and to spend time in his presence. Global Day of Prayer mobilised thousands on Pentecost Sunday to pray for the cities and nations. This pulsating movement of prayer is a prelude to a great global revival

Waist-deep: Our re-productive organs are located just below our waists. The Spirit is calling us to a new season, one of new beginnings where He is birthing and re-producing new sons and daughters of the living God. This is a season of multiplication not only in the ingathering of a vast harvest but the raising of harvesters.

THE NEW SEASON

It is important for us to discover the DNA of this generation of believers. Returning to Ezekiel’s river, the mighty flow of water brings life wherever it goes (v.9). Even in the Dead Sea region with its notorious salty water, there is a miraculous change. The water becomes fresh (v.8) Living creatures emerge.

This is the season of life. Believers are life-carriers. When we thirst and come to Christ, out of our inner being will flow streams of living water (Jn. 7:37). The Spirit is the author and giver of this life. Life-carriers do not propagate religious beliefs no matter how important. They introduce men and women to the Lord Jesus whose mission is to give life in all its fullness (Jn.10:10b). Today God is rising up life-carriers to a lost and spiritually world. Life is coming; it is bursting forth.

In Ez 47, there is another scene – that of fishermen with nets standing along the shore. Christ has called his first disciples – Peter and Andrew, James and John partners of a fishing company to follow Him and to be "fishers of men" (Mk. 1: 17 ). He calls us to this same venture. Fishermen spreading their nets together. This is more than being the lone angler, fishing alone or the single energetic fisherman casting his own net. There is a vast shoal of fish, a huge harvest to bring in.

Look too at the reference to the fish. When I was baptising people in the Jordan River, I was captivated by the fish I saw. I was told by the local that the Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan produced mainly tilapias or St. Peter’s fish. There are also catfish – the smaller version, not like their, giant counterparts in South America.

In this new season, the fish will be from the Great Sea i.e. the Mediterranean. Yes there will be many more fish – larger in terms of size and variety. With the migration of people from different countries, our cities are now international global villages. What a time for fishing!

In both Ez.47 and Rev. 22, there are reference to trees and the tree of life. All these trees are covered with fruit. The Lord Jesus reminds is that He has chosen and appointed His disciples to bear fruit, fruit that will last (Jn. 15:16)

What is this fruit? Scholars have interpreted this as either a huge crop i.e. many converts being won into God’s Kingdom or the fruit of character (cf. Gal. 5:22, 23). When scholars differ, it is good to accept both interpretations.

But it is very important for us to remember that in times of God’s visitation and outpouring, He awakens the church. He deals ruthlessly with pride, unbelief and sin of every shade and practice. Authentic revival produces holiness, Christ-likeness. Church wise there is repentance, renouncing of sins that grieve the Lord and ruptures relationships with people. When we have defrauded others, we make restitution. It was said of the great revivalist John Sung in the 1930s and 40s that wherever he ministered in a city, the tax inspectors know! This is the fruit that the Lord expects and delights in. Another aspect of fruitfulness is seen in believers who are hungry for God and His Word and to align their lives to Kingdom values.

Transformed Christians impact society. William Wilberforce, the Great Social Reformer whom God used to abolish slavery exhorted committed Christians of his day "to make goodness fashionable".

Finally, both the Ezekiel and the Revelation passages refer to "leaves for healing" (Ez. 47:12 and Rev. 22:2).

Evangelicals often argue amongst ourselves over the miraculous. Word-based Christians would affirm the miracle is expressed mainly in conversion/salvation. Pentecostal and charismatic evangelicals equate miracles with healing, signs and wonders. Once again we do not have to decide over which is the correct respective. As we proclaim Christ as Saviour and Lord in the power of the Spirit we expect to see men and women brought to new life in Christ and their bodies and emotions healed. Such acts are the demonstration of the Lord’s power.

God is reminding us that his river is His people. We are marching and flowing with His Spirit. Today He calls and sends us out as life-carriers and light-bearers. He summons us to work together to bring in a vast harvest. More harvesters, fishers of men, must respond to His clarion call to till the ground, sow, and water so that we can reap His harvest. As we do this together, the big one – revival will come. Come Lord Jesus! Come Holy Spirit!

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