From Presence Flows Prosperity
“Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. He brought me out by was of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side.
“When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the knees. Again he measured a thousand and lead me through the water, water reaching the loins. Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh. It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ezekiel 47:1-12 NASB)
   We saw in Ezekiel chapter 43 (see post, “Experience Trumps Theory) the powerful prophetic image of how we, as God’s Temple, begin to experience His Presence. It is all about worship and humility, not as physical acts we perform; but, the attitude or condition of our hearts. In other words, we bow in humility before the Lord opening our hearts (the east gate of worship) to the majesty of His Glory and in this position we begin to resonate with His heart. We no longer simply talk about Christ in us, we literally experience Him.
   Something begins to happen, however, that goes far beyond our own personal experience. The infilling becomes an outpouring. And, that is what the first twelve verses of Ezekiel 47 above are all about.
   We are shown a river flowing out of the Temple, ever deepening and expanding in the earth. It is a river of pure, life-giving water that transforms the wastelands into fertile places of abundance.
   One thing is certain, this is not a physical earthly river. We are the Temple, God’s House. It is out of us that the water flows. Jesus said, “He who believe in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” (John 7:38) It is this ‘Scripture’ Jesus is referring to and the ‘living water’ is, of course, Holy Spirit.
   The ultimate purpose of our lives as Blood-redeemed believers is to pour forth living water. In other words, we are to pour out the Spirit as a day by day spiritual reality into every area of life. This outpouring brings prosperity. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10). An abundant, prosperous life is lived from the place of God’s Presence. What better place for this to happen than in “Arabah”, or the wasteland around us where the enemy is constantly seeking to steal, kill, and destroy life and inheritance.
   We are in the time of Great Awakening. The stirring in the hearts of the Redeemed of the Lord is for an outpouring of the Spirit. Unlike days past, when we experienced the movement of Holy Spirit as more of a geographical event (like the revivals of Azusa Street, Toronto, Brownsville, etc.), this is one global in nature as hearts of men and women throughout the world are inflamed with the Presence. It is not an event. It is a movement. It is an Awakening leading to a Reformation. It is not religious in nature for religion knows nothing of the Presence of the Lord. “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power…” (2 Timothy 3:5) is the tragic plight of all religion. On the contrary, this Awakening is rooted in the experience of God which by its nature releases the prosperity of God. Look at the vision one more time.
   A river flows throughout the land and everything it touches comes to life. What a beautiful picture of the Spirit God Himself flowing out from within the hearts of the Blood-redeemed! But, what does this look like in real, daily life? We think of abundant life and the prosperity of God in physical ways such as miracles of healing, financial blessings, dramatic signs and wonders, and much more. Certainly, all this is a very real part of God’s Kingdom and our birthright as His children.
   Yet, as I think of all this I go back to Presence. Signs, wonders, miracles, everything we would consider the manifestation of a prosperous, abundant life of God is the byproduct of the flow of God’s heart from deep within our hearts. I doubt there is any better description of the flowing river than the words of Jesus:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:33-34)
   I believe this Awakening is not about bigger and better church facilities, programs, and events. It is not about entertainment and ‘in the moment’ experiences that leave no lasting mark on the lives of men and women. These things have their place, I suppose; but, the world is weary, even cynical, of the same old structures that fail to truly touch the heart in a way that brings real healing and hope. Jesus said, “Love one another,” and He did not mean just the small circle of the already loved.
   We are living in an Arabah, a wasteland offering a cornucopia of delights to a starving humanity. Promising abundance and freedom; but, giving only deepening poverty and enslavement. One only needs to look at the social, moral, ethical, judicial, and religious climate to see this is true. This, of course, is not new and is exactly why Christ Jesus came into this earth realm. It was not to establish yet one more religion that props up the status quo; but, to tear down every obstacle to freedom, to break every chain that enslaves, and release an abundance of life beyond all we could ask or imagine. And, He is doing this through you and me. “All men will know..” He said, and He is speaking to each of us who carry His name, life and light. We are His Temple and out of our innermost being flows Holy Spirit like a River of Living Water. It is from His Presence that prosperity of life in all its forms will be realized. It is from His Presence that all men will know the reality of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”