The Living Water that Comes from The Temple
Today is a meaningful day. First, it is the day the church construction is completed, and we return to the sanctuary. The Bible says that the Garden of Eden will be restored to us, and we will enter New Jerusalem, and I am really looking forward to it.
Second, today is the day of All Gathering Service. We are busy with our lives and each other’s schedules are different, but no matter how busy we are, we can at least gather as a family four times a year. It can go further and use as an opportunity to invite friends to our worship service.
Lastly, today is General Assembly Sunday. General Assembly Sunday is a day when all churches belonging to the General Assembly pray together for the revival and growth of General Assembly.
The Lord’s Covenant Church is a church. And each church has a congregation council with all baptized members. The congregation council usually has the role of approving the one-year plan established by the pastor and the financial budget submitted by the department leader. There is also a session composed of pastors and elders. The session can be viewed as an operating body that runs the church based on the plan and budget approved by the congregation council.
There is also a presbytery (synod) where churches in a certain area gather. The presbytery plans a role in resolving problems between churches or within the church. And above that there is a general assembly. The General Assembly plays the role of resolving problems between and within presbyteries. The Lord’s Covenant Church belongs to the Southeast Asia Presbytery (Synod) and the General Assembly of HAPDONG of the Presbyterian Church of Korea. HAPDONG denomination symbolizes the purity of faith.
The theme of this year’s General Assembly is “Let the River of Life Flow.” So today, I would like to share grace together under the title “The Living Water Comes from the Temple.”
In Ezek 47:1-5, Prophet Ezekiel sees a mysterious vision: water flows out from under the threshold of the temple, fills the area around the temple, and then flows into the river. As the water progresses, it gradually increases and eventually forms a large river. And wherever this river flowed, the phenomenon of life occurred. It has a literal meaning, but it also has a symbolic meaning. Jerusalem, where the temple exists, is a plateau and has the characteristic of having no rivers. So, the people living in Jerusalem had to depend on the rain to survive. However, verse 1 says that water flows out of the temple and forms a river. And wherever this river goes, the work of life takes place (Ezekiel 47:1).
This shows that in this generation where the Word is rare, the living water of the Word will flow from the temple of God, watering the church and infusing the work of life wherever it goes.
- The water of life began from the sanctuary (Eze 47:12)
The sanctuary is where God resides. Revelation 22:1 says that the river of water of life flows from the throne of the Lamb of God. John 7:38 records that those who believe in Jesus have living water overflowing from their bellies.
When all is considered, we can conclude that the source of the water of life is Jesus Christ. And the water of life is the word of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must hold on to Jesus alone. A church without Jesus is a fake church. The Lord’s Covenant Church exalts only Jesus. We only hold on to the words of Jesus. Therefore, no matter how small the church is or how few people there are, I believe that the work of the water of life will occur in the church of God that God has established.
- The water of life starts small and grows gradually (Eze 47:3-5)
The water flowing out of the temple was at first about ankle deep. However, later the river became deep enough that requires swimming. Furthermore, as this river of water of life flowed into the sea, the work of restoring life to the entire sea took place.
When Jesus was crucified, all the disciples ran away and when he was resurrected, only the 10 disciples and a few women were there. However, after the Holy Spirit came, early churches arose, and the Word spread throughout the world.
For the water of life in The Lord’s Covenant Church to turn into a mighty river, we must also be filled with the Holy Spirit. The founding pastor also emphasized the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit several times.
How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit?
God told Apostle John to eat the little book that is opened. And He said that after eating this little book, he would prophesy again to the people and the nation (Rev 10:8-9).
First, we must eat the Word. Our bellies must be full of the Word. It means we must understand and digest the Word of God. Only then, I believe that the work of prophesying and teaching again to the people and nation will take place.
- Blessing of the Water of Life
- It gives life (Eze 47:6-7)
The road from the Jerusalem Temple down to the Dead Sea is close to a desert. This is a road where no trees can grow. However, when the water of life began to flow from the temple, several trees appear here. This means miracles of impossibility will happen.
- It heals (Eze 47:8)
The Hebrew word for ‘become fresh’ is ‘rapha’, which means ‘to heal.’ The Dead Sea is a sea that represents death and destruction. However, when the water of life flows into that place, and living things begin to live again. This means that even in a place of death or ruin, as the water of life flows, new life will surely spring up.
- It bears fruit (Eze 47:12)
Fruit continues to grow because of the water of life. This means we will continue to bear fruit in our lives.
Conclusion: the vision that Ezekiel saw does not only mean what will happen to Israel. I believe that this is a miracle that will happen to our church, to Malaysia and to your families.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 