March 12: CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1
Allow today’s verse to carry your mind back to the Garden of Eden, fresh from the hand of God: Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden (Genesis 2:10), that the trees would be fruitful. The Lord gave the prophet Ezekiel a vivid vision of flowing, healing water (see Ezekiel 47:1-12). And it shall be that every living thing that moves . . . will live wherever the river goes (v.9).
A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD (Joel 3:18). And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8). The Lord Jesus referred to Himself as living water (Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13; John 4:10; 17:38), a beautiful picture of cleansing, refreshing, and growth. He is the Source of that pure river of water of life!
God’s word compares the unfaithful mother church as resting upon many waters (Revelation 17:1,15), due to her dependence upon multitudes of deceived people to keep her afloat. We are also told in His word that a day is coming when this support will be dried up (Revelation 16:12 – see also Psalm 33:10-11). The unfaithful church exalts man above God. History has shown that it grew and developed out of the original Babylonian precept of regarding man’s ideas over divine precepts (see Daniel 7:4). The literal city of ancient Babylon rested upon the mighty River Euphrates, which was her life source, so to speak. Today’s end time scenario describes modern-day spiritual Babylon as having all the world’s support (Revelation 13:3), but it is also prophesied to collapse.
This is a very interesting comparison between waters! Time and again, we have seen that man’s efforts to supposedly improve on God’s instructions result in great loss. Ideas that conflict with Scripture, if presented by professed representatives of God, ‘poison’ the waters (see Matthew 15:5-6; Revelation 8:11).
Heaven’s invitation is still going out! Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters (Isaiah 55:1).
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17
For further study: Exodus 15:22-27; Psalm 36:8-9; Proverbs 18:4; John 7:37-39