Understanding the Kingdom of GodSýnishorn

Waters of Life Flowing from the Temple

God dwelled amid the Garden with Adam and Eve in the Creation story in Genesis. God’s throne was in Eden. As said before, wherever God’s presence is, life is abundant.

The Biblical authors used the metaphor of water to talk about the life-giving presence of God. Humans, animals, and plants all need water to survive. In Genesis 2, we see rivers of water flowing from Eden to give life to the earth. These rivers of life-giving water point to God’s presence flowing from the Garden to give life to all of Creation.

Later on, we see God dwelling in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple functioned as a “microcosm” of the Garden of Eden. That is why we find the Old Testament authors talking about water flowing from the Jerusalem Temple. This meant that Israel, as God’s people, became a “new Eden” of sorts. They were called to spread God’s life-giving presence to all the nations.

Water is also a cleansing agent. Before entering the Temple, the Israelites had to immerse themselves in water to become ritually clean. God is holy, and entering His presence requires us to be holy. The washing ritual also pointed to a deeper level of cleansing required: the cleansing of the heart.

However, the Temple was destroyed with the Exile, and the life-giving waters of God’s presence departed. But the prophets also prophesied that there would be a new Temple one day. Waters of life would again flow from the Temple, which would cleanse the hearts of God’s people forever. There would be a new Eden, a renewed humanity.

In John 7, Jesus speaks of rivers of living water flowing from Him. Since He is the true Temple, He is the source of the true living waters. These waters would not just give eternal life but also cleanse the hearts of God’s people. And the living water Jesus was talking about is the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel of John intimately connects the Cross of Jesus with the giving of the Spirit. That is why blood and water gushed out when Jesus’ side was pierced on the Cross. At the Cross of Jesus, the life-giving and cleansing waters of God’s Spirit are made available. It is at the Cross where the Garden of God’s new Creation is watered. It is at the Cross where God’s throne dwells with humanity.

The fountain of God has opened! The water of life flows from His throne! Come, all who are thirsty, drink, and be satisfied! Come, wash and be clean!