The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-07-18

Ezekiel's final vision, chapters 40 to
| 4S, exhibits a comprehensive view OF
the restored order when the Messiah
shall hold sway over the whole earth.
Our lesson for today is but small
part of this vision. 1t can be under
stood only in the light Of the whole.
The following outstanding facts
should be noted:
1. The restored temple (chs 4O-42).
2. The return of Jehovah. (ch. 43).
In chapter II the Lord is seen TAX
ing His departure. In chapter 43 He
! Is seen returning.
8. The arrangement of the services
of the temple (chs. 44-46).
4. The river flowing from the tenn
pie az: 1-12).
5. The land apportioned among the
people al :13-4S :29).
6. The holy city (4S:30-35).
In the attempted Interpretation of
this vision, some five different views
are held. The one preferred by the
present writer is that it is a predic-
| ton of the temple which shall be
erected in Messianic times. The lit
eral view prevents wild speculation
| and at the same time permits the full
est fgurative application. In fact, the
Holy Spirit gives the Interpretation of
the waters flowing from the smitten
rock q Cor 10:4) in such way as
| to leave no doubt as to its meaning.
The river flowing forth from the sane
tuary typifies the river of life, the
salvation of Christ flowing forth to
the world. Observe:
l. The Rivers Source wv. l, p.
It flows forth from the house-the
restored temple where God has come
to dwell. 1t flows from the divine
presence. This flowing of the waters
! is miraculous. SO is the eternal life
which proceeds from Calvary's cross.
Because Christ is divine, His shed
blood has power to give life. 1t is to
| be noted that the stream came by way
| of the altar ". ~, showing that eter-
nal life for the world proceeds from
| God by way of the cross. Perhaps
the deepest mystery of life is how
life can spring out of death. Despite
| its mystery, the student of the Holy
Scriptures and of physical science
knows that life out of death is the
philosophy of the universe. Except
a corn of wheat fall into the ground
and die, it abideth alone"
II. The Deepening River (vv.. $50.
The deepening and enlarging is
without any tributaries. For the first
quarter mile the depth was to the
ankles. BY the time it had reached
one-half mile it was to the knees.
| Till the distance of three-fourths mile
was reached it was to the waist, and
! at the end of the first mile it was
| too deep to ford-"waters to swim
in" The spiritual truth to be derived
from this figure is that the life and
| salvation which have flowed forth
from Calvary made vital by the Holy
Spirit, have widened and deepened
through the centuries and dispersal
lions. This is especially true of the
individual who yields himself to the
Holy Spirit.
III. The Healing Effect of the Wa
tiers wv. CPD.
There is life in the progress of this
river. Everything shall live width
er the river cometh" ". 81. 1t flows
from the altar toward the east coun-
try down into the desert and into the
Dead sea. "The region of the Dead
| sea which has been the embodiment
of barrenness and desolation, in the
coming day is to be changed into a
scene of life and fruitfulness. Gray.
1. Trees on the banks of the river
wv. Z, 81.
Just as vegetation fourishes near
the river, so wherever Christ's saliva
! ton is witnessed to in the energy of
the Holy Ghost, life comes. This has
been true throughout the centuries of
church history. The details of fruit
fitness are enumerated in verse II.
2. Everything in the waters shall
live ". 81. Wherever the stream
| flows, there shall be life.
3. The waters of the Dead sea shall
be healed ". 10Y. Fishers shall gath
er from the Dead sea even as from
| the Mediterranean. The gospel brings
life to those in trespasses and sin.
The world is dead and therefore In
need of the life-giving stream from
Calvary.