In the End - Ez 47-48

It is striking how the final chapters of Ezekiel sound like the book of Revelation. It is as if Ezekiel is the OT’s version of Revelation.

Here are a few examples. Ezekiel speaks of a river flowing from the new temple. Revelation speaks of the river of life flowing from the throne of God. In both texts, the water bubbles with life. Ezekiel has trees on the banks of the river that bear fresh fruit each month. The fruit is used for food and the leaves are used for healing. In Revelation, there stands the tree of life on either side of the river of life. It yields fruit each month and its leaves are for healing. In Ezekiel, the land is once again divided and inhabited. In Revelation, a new heaven and a new earth appear, and the new earth will be inhabited by the people of God. Ezekiel has a new city as Revelation has the new Jerusalem.

Now we can debate distinctions and the rapture and the millennium until we reach exhaustion and find that we have not convinced the other of our position. Good wholesome, healthy discussion on eschatology has its place. However, let’s not miss the main point on which we can all agree, whether or not we arrive at the same time! The final similarity is the most important. In the end, the people of God will be in the presence of God, and that is what makes salvation, salvation! That is what makes heaven, heaven!

Ezekiel 48:35 “And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord is there.” Revelation 22:3 “The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him.”