Two flows of water

Today’s passage describes the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom). The Messianic Kingdom will be established by the Messiah’s Second Coming, and within that kingdom there will be two flows of water. (1) There will be streams of water in all the valleys of Judah. These will not be wadis that carry water only during the rainy season, but rivers with water flowing continually. As a result, the mountains will produce abundant grapes, and the hills will yield plentiful dairy products. (2) The other flow of water is a spring that flows out from beneath the threshold of the temple. It flows eastward from the temple in Jerusalem and refreshes the Valley of Shittim (the Jordan Valley). It also flows into the salt water from the northwest shore of the Dead Sea and transforms it into an excellent fishing area (ref. Ezek. 47:1-12). (3) All of this is spoken on the premise that, before the Messianic Kingdom is established, there will be massive tectonic changes caused by earthquakes (ref. Zech.14). Through these tectonic changes, a mountain (a vast plateau) will arise in the central region of the land of Israel. Seven tribes will dwell to the north of that mountain, and five tribes to the south (ref. Ezek. 40-48).

Egypt and Edom

(1) Even in the Messianic Kingdom, Egypt and Edom will remain as desolate lands. The reason is that they have continued to take an anti-Jewish stance. Edom will receive judgement more severe than Egypt. (2) The land of Israel (Judah) will be completely transformed. It will become “a place inhabited forever.” Jerusalem (Zion) will be the dwelling place of the Lord (the Messiah), and it too will become “a place inhabited from generation to generation.” (3) The “guilt of bloodshed” of the people of Israel will be completely forgiven and wiped away because they have placed their trust in the Messiah. This is the meaning of verse 21. In the Messianic Kingdom, the “sheep Gentiles” will live in the lands allotted to their respective nations. At that time, we Christians (the saints of the Church Time) will share in the privilege of ruling the Gentile nations together with the Messiah. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome as follows: “And if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Rom. 8:17). Did you know that you have been made an heir of God? Has that been a motivation for your Christian life? What has been prepared for us is truly wonderful.