More future promises from God

 Read Ezekiel 47.

During the thousand years that Christ will reign on earth, the Temple will be rebuilt, the Levites will again serve, and memorial sacrifices will take place.  The angel that has guided Ezekiel in this vision since chapter 40 took him outside the Millennial Temple.  There the prophet was given a view of God's blessings related to the future of the land of Israel.

Water began to flow from the Temple that was only ankle deep.  Every 1,000 cubits the water increased in depth until it became an impassable river.  It flowed from the south side of the Temple, down the Kidron Valley, into the Jordan River Valley (Arabah), and into the Dead Sea.  This same prophecy is corroborated in two other books.  Joel 3:18-"And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim."  Zechariah gave even more information as he saw the river flowing both toward the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean.  "On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea.  It shall continue in summer as in winter." (Zechariah 14:8)

The rest of this chapter provides a glimpse into God's benefits and blessings for Israel.
1. The Dead Sea will become fresh water. (vv.8-10)
This large body of water that is saltier than the ocean has no life in it.  But in that day it will be teeming with fish.  Fishermen will occupy the shoreline.

2. The land will become fruitful. (v.12a)
With such abundance of fresh water, the dry desert areas will be rich with agriculture.

3. The leaves will become medicinal. (v.12b)
This statement is not explained.  In some way, the leaves from those fruit trees will have a healing property to them.

4. The land will be divided again. (vv.13-23)
God's promise to Abraham was made based upon "two unchangeable things" (Hebrews 6:13-18): His unchangeable word (Number 23:19) and His unconditional covenant (Genesis 15).  That promise according to Ezekiel 47:14 will still be in place during the Millennium.  The land will be divided once again among the 12 Tribes.  Even non-Jews, who may desire to live in Israel, will be welcomed (v.22).

The LORD indeed has many wonderful things in store.  Our future is as bright as the promises of God.  The fulfillment of His promises is dependent upon God's faithfulness.  The enjoyment of His promises is dependent upon our faithfulness.