John 2:19-21, Living Water, Part II of II
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.
//Yesterday, I discussed a vision Ezekiel had of the new City of God. In the center of the City was a temple, and flowing from the temple was a river that spread life to everything it touched. When these living waters reached the Dead Sea, even this salty sea was transformed into an abundance of living fish.
Are we supposed to take this vision literally? Will this really happen as depicted? Perhaps it has already happened?
The book of Revelation appears to contradict Ezekiel when it says that in the new city there will be no temple. Revelation explains that Jesus himself is the temple. Does this dash the hope of living water?
Nope. Whatever it is that Ezekiel imagined, the Gospel of John explains how it came to be. John’s Gospel, in today’s verse, tells how the new temple was raised in the new City of God. When Jesus spoke of a new temple being built, he was talking about his own resurrection. Just like Revelation promised, Jesus became the temple.
But what of Ezekiel’s promise of living water flowing from the temple … first a small stream, then rivers of life-giving water? Jesus explains this as well:
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. –John 7:38
Thus this living water continues to flow out from the “temple” today, bringing life to everything it touches in the world. Ezekiel was right.
Fantasy Football, Anyone?
Put on the whole uniform of the Team, that ye may be able to stand against the blitz of oncoming linebackers. Don the hip pads of truth, the shoulder pads of righteousness, the cleats of preparation. Don’t forget the facemask of faith and the helmet of salvation. Then clutch the pigskin with much Spirit, for that is what the Play Book of your Coach in Heaven demands.The River of Life
Twice before Lee Harmon has written about Christian topics, once on the gospel of John and once on the book of Revelation. But the question people keep asking him is this: As a liberal Christian, why do you care so much about the Bible? Others wonder whether he is truly a Christian at all.
The Way It Happened
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| Revelation: A love story gone awry. | The Gospel: A love story set aright. |
What really happened 2,000 years ago? How did a persecuted minority of end-time believers known as Christians, with their dreams of Armageddon and a conquering Messiah named Jesus, evolve into the largest religion in the world? Author Lee Harmon explores the period in which the New Testament was written in his books about John's Gospel and Revelation.
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Lee Harmon interviewed on The God Show about the History Channel's miniseries The Bible and Lee's latest book, John's Gospel: The Way It Happened.
About Lee
Hello! I'm an author, historical Jesus scholar, book reviewer, and liberal Christian, which means I appreciate and attempt to exercise the humanitarian teachings of Jesus without getting hung up on any particular supernatural or religious beliefs.
The Bible is a magnificent book that has inspired and spiritually fed generations for thousands of years, and each new century seems to bring a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. This is true of not only Christianity; through the years, our age-old religions are slowly transforming from superstitious rituals into humanitarian philosophies. In short, we are growing up, and I am thrilled to be riding the wave.
I avidly read all thought-provoking religion titles. New authors: I'd love to read and review your book!
Contact me here.
About Leslie
Hi! While Lee writes the articles and reviews the books, I edit, organize, and maintain the blog. The views expressed here are Lee's but I'm his biggest supporter! :-)
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