The River of Water of Life in the Bible (1)
The river of water of life, the Spirit, flows from the throne of God and the Lamb in New Jerusalem. This river is also seen throughout the Bible.
Genesis 2 records God’s forming man and planting the garden of Eden with every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. Verse 2:10 tells us that “a river went forth from Eden to water the garden, and from there it divided and became four branches” to reach the four corners of the earth.
Exodus 17 presents more about the river. Jehovah said to Moses, “I will be standing before you there upon the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it so that the people may drink.”
According to Paul’s word in 1 Cor. 10:4, the rock here was Christ.*
The water flowing out of the smitten rock typifies the Spirit (John 7:37-39). Through incarnation Christ came to the earth as a rock. On the cross He was smitten by the authority of God’s righteous law to accomplish God’s redemption. His side was pierced, and living water flowed out for God’s people to drink. This living water is the water of life in resurrection.*
God is consistent in His plan. What He purposed in eternity past will be fulfilled in our eyes in New Jerusalem. Along the way the living water, the Spirit, flows.
* Part of footnotes 1 & 3 on Exodus 17:6, in The Holy Bible, Recovery Version, published and © by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim CA, 2003.
Posted by Don on April 8, 2026
https://newjerusalem12.wordpress.com/2026/04/08/the-river-of-water-of-life-in-the-bible-1/
