1, 2. According to Ezekiel 47:1-12, what does Ezekiel see and learn? (See opening picture.)

EZEKIEL sees yet another marvel in his temple vision: There is a stream flowing from the sacred structure! Just picture him tracing the course of that crystal-clear water. (Read Ezekiel 47:1-12.) It trickles out from the threshold of the sanctuary; then it emerges from the temple complex near the eastern gate. Ezekiel’s angelic guide leads him away from the temple, measuring the distance as they go. The angel repeatedly has Ezekiel pass through the water, and the prophet finds that it deepens rapidly, soon becoming a torrent that he could cross only if he were to plunge in and swim!

² Ezekiel learns that the river flows into the Dead Sea and heals its salty, lifeless waters wherever the water of the river comes in contact with them, making the waters teem with fish. And along the riverbanks, he sees many trees of all sorts growing. Each month, they produce a new crop of nourishing fruit, and they sprout leaves that provide healing. Seeing all of this must have filled Ezekiel’s heart with peace and hope. But what did this part of the temple vision mean for him and his fellow exiles? And what does it mean for us today?

What Did the Visionary River Mean for the Exiles?

3. Why did the Jews of ancient times not understand Ezekiel’s vision of a river to be literal?

³ The Jews of ancient times surely did not understand the visionary river to be literal. Rather, this passage of Scripture likely reminded them of another inspired restoration prophecy, one recorded perhaps more than two centuries earlier by the prophet Joel. (Read Joel 3:18.) When the Jewish exiles read Joel’s inspired words, they did not expect the mountains literally to “drip with sweet wine” or the hills to “flow with milk”; nor did they expect a spring to flow “out of the house of Jehovah.” Similarly, fellow Jews likely understood that the message of the prophet Ezekiel’s vision was not about a literal river.a So, what message was Jehovah conveying? The Scriptures offer strong indications about the meaning of some parts of this picture. In general, though, we will consider three clear, loving assurances that may be drawn from this prophetic passage.

4. (a) The river in Ezekiel’s vision would have led the Jews to expect what blessings from Jehovah? (b) How does the Bible’s use of the terms “river” and “water” assure us that Jehovah will bless his people? (See the box “Rivers of Blessings From Jehovah.”)

⁴ A river of blessings. In the Bible, rivers and water are often used to picture the flow of Jehovah’s life-giving blessings. Ezekiel saw such a river flowing from the temple, so the vision would have led God’s people to expect that Jehovah’s life-giving spiritual blessings would flow to them as long as they adhered to pure worship. What blessings? They would again receive spiritual instruction from the priests. And with sacrifices being offered at the temple, they could once more rest assured that atonement would be made for their sins. (Ezek. 44:15, 23; 45:17) Thus, they would be clean again, as if washed in the pure water emanating from the temple.

5. How did the visionary river soothe any concerns about whether there would always be enough blessings for all?

⁵ Would there always be enough blessings for all? The vision soothes any such concerns by showing the miraculous expansion of the waters​—increasing from a trickle to a torrent in just over a mile! (Ezek. 47:3-5) The population in the Jews’ restored homeland might grow in number; yet, Jehovah’s blessings would expand to meet their needs. The river was a picture of abundance and plenty!

6. (a) The prophetic picture conveyed what reassuring promise? (b) What warning note did the vision also sound? (See footnote.)

⁶ Life-giving water. In Ezekiel’s vision, the river flowed into the Dead Sea, reviving much of it. Notice that the waters gave life to such swarms of fish that the variety was comparable to that found in the Great Sea, or the Mediterranean Sea. There was even a fishing industry thriving along the shore of the Dead Sea between two towns that evidently lay a considerable distance apart. The angel stated: “Everything will live wherever the stream goes.” Does that mean, though, that the water from Jehovah’s house reached every part of the Dead Sea? No. The angel explained that some marshy regions remained beyond the reach of the life-giving waters. Those places were “abandoned to salt.”b (Ezek. 47:8-11) So the prophetic picture conveyed a reassuring promise that pure worship would revive the people, causing them to thrive. But a warning note was also sounded: Not all would accept Jehovah’s blessings; nor would all be healed.

7. The presence of the visionary trees along the riverbanks gave the exiled Jews what reassurance?

⁷ Trees for food and healing. What of those trees along the riverbanks? They add to the beauty of the picture, do they not? They also add to its meaning. Ezekiel and his countrymen surely enjoyed thinking of the delicious fruit that such trees would provide, a new crop every month! That appealing picture further reassured them that Jehovah would feed them spiritually. And what else? Note that the leaves of those trees “will serve . . . for healing.” (Ezek. 47:12) Jehovah knew that, above all, the returning exiles would need spiritual healing, and he promised to provide just that. How he did so was discussed in other restoration prophecies, as we have noted in Chapter 9 of this publication.

8. What shows that Ezekiel’s vision would have a greater fulfillment?

⁸ However, as we also discussed in Chapter 9, the returning exiles experienced only a limited fulfillment of such prophecies. It was the people themselves who limited that fulfillment. How could Jehovah bless them fully when backsliding, disobedience, and neglect of pure worship so often prevailed among them? Faithful ones were pained and disappointed by the conduct of their fellow Jews. However, loyal worshippers of Jehovah knew that his promises never fail; they always come true. (Read Joshua 23:14.) Hence, one day Ezekiel’s vision would have a greater fulfillment. But when?

The River Flows Today!

9. When does Ezekiel’s temple vision have a greater fulfillment?

⁹ As we noted in Chapter 14 of this publication, Ezekiel’s temple vision has a greater fulfillment during “the final part of the days,” the time when pure worship is exalted as never before. (Isa. 2:2) In what sense is this part of Ezekiel’s vision being fulfilled right now?

10, 11. (a) What blessings flow to us like a river today? (b) How has the flow of blessings from Jehovah expanded to meet growing needs during the last days?

¹⁰ A river of blessings. The water flowing from Jehovah’s house reminds us of what blessings today? Really, we are reminded of all that contributes to our spiritual health and nourishment. Foremost is the cleansing power of Christ’s ransom sacrifice, which makes the forgiveness of our sins possible. The pure truths of God’s Word are also likened to life-giving, cleansing water. (Eph. 5:25-27) How have such blessings flowed in our time?

¹¹ In 1919 there were only a few thousand servants of Jehovah, and they were thrilled to receive the spiritual food they needed. In the decades that followed, their ranks kept swelling. Today, God’s people number well over eight million. Has the flow of the pure waters of truth kept pace? Yes! We have an almost overwhelming supply of spiritual truths. Literally billions of Bibles, books, magazines, brochures, and tracts have flowed out to God’s people in the past century. Like the visionary river that Ezekiel saw, the flow of pure truths has expanded rapidly to meet the growing needs of spiritually thirsty people worldwide. Bible-based publications have long been available in printed form. And now, by means of the website jw.org, such material is available electronically in over 900 languages! How do such waters of truth affect righthearted people?

12. (a) How have we seen the message of the truth bring spiritual life and health to people? (b) What timely warning does the vision convey to us today? (See also footnote.)

¹² Life-giving water. Ezekiel was told: “Everything will live wherever the stream goes.” Think of the way the message of the truth has flowed to all those who have come into our restored spiritual land. Bible truths have brought life and spiritual health to millions of receptive hearts. However, the vision also conveys a timely warning: Not all remain receptive to such truth. Like the marshy and swampy places in the Dead Sea in Ezekiel’s vision, there are hearts that become unreceptive, refusing to accept and apply the truth.c May that never be true of us!​—Read Deuteronomy 10:16-18.

13. What lessons may we today draw from those visionary trees?

¹³ Trees for food and healing. Do the visionary trees along the riverbanks convey encouraging lessons to us today? Certainly! Remember, those trees produced a new crop of delicious fruit every month, and their leaves provided healing. (Ezek. 47:12) They thus remind us that we serve the God who generously feeds us and heals us in the most important way, spiritually. Today’s world is sick and starving in a spiritual sense. By contrast, think of what Jehovah provides. Have you ever come to the end of an article in one of our journals, sung the concluding song at an assembly or a convention, or finished watching a video or broadcast program and felt blessed to have such spiritual food? We are truly well-fed. (Isa. 65:13, 14) Does our spiritual food promote spiritual health? The wholesome counsel we receive, based solidly on God’s Word, helps us to fight off such spiritual enemies as immorality, greed, and lack of faith. Jehovah has also put in place an arrangement to help Christians overcome spiritual sickness brought on by serious sin. (Read James 5:14.) We are indeed blessed, just as suggested by Ezekiel’s vision of the trees.

14, 15. (a) What lesson should we take from the unhealed marshy places in Ezekiel’s vision? (b) How does Ezekiel’s visionary river benefit us today?

¹⁴ At the same time, we may take a lesson from those unhealed marshy places. Never would we want to refuse to let Jehovah’s blessings flow into our life. It would be tragic to remain unhealed, like so many in this sick world. (Matt. 13:15) Rather, we are delighted to benefit from the river of blessings. When we eagerly drink in the pure waters of truth from God’s Word, when we share such truths with others by means of the preaching work, when we receive loving guidance, comfort, and help from elders who have been trained by the faithful slave, we may think of Ezekiel’s visionary river. That river promotes life and healing wherever it goes!

¹⁵ What, though, about a future fulfillment of this visionary river? As we will see, the river will flow in the greatest possible sense in the Paradise to come.

What the Vision Will Mean in Paradise

16, 17. (a) In what way will the water of life be even more expansive in Paradise? (b) How will we benefit from that river of blessings in Paradise?

¹⁶ Do you picture yourself in Paradise, surrounded by friends and family, enjoying life to the full? Studying Ezekiel’s visionary river can help you to make that picture more vivid. How so? Consider once more the three clear, loving aspects of the vision.

¹⁷ A river of blessings. The symbolic river will, in a sense, be far more expansive in Paradise, for its benefits will be not only spiritual but also physical. During Jesus’ Thousand Year Reign, God’s Kingdom will help faithful ones to benefit from the ransom in a much greater way. Gradually, they will be lifted to perfection! No more diseases, doctors, nurses, hospitals, health insurance! That water of life will flow to the millions of Armageddon survivors, “a great crowd” who will emerge from “the great tribulation.” (Rev. 7:9, 14) However, that initial flow of the river of blessings, impressive though it will be, will be only a trickle compared to what will come later. As in Ezekiel’s vision, the river will expand to meet greater needs.

18. In what sense will the “river of water of life” become a mighty torrent during the Millennium?

¹⁸ Life-giving water. During the Millennium, the “river of water of life” will become a torrent. (Rev. 22:1) Countless millions, even billions, will be resurrected from the dead and offered the opportunity to live forever in Paradise! Jehovah’s blessings through the Kingdom will include bringing life to vast numbers of the dead, humans who have long lain powerless in the dust of the earth. (Isa. 26:19) However, will all those resurrected ones remain alive forever?

19. (a) What indicates that new waters of divine truth will be made available in Paradise? (b) In what sense will some be “abandoned to salt” in the future?

¹⁹ Each one must choose. You see, new scrolls will be opened during that time. So the refreshing waters from Jehovah will include newly revealed truths, new spiritual instructions. Is it not thrilling to think of that prospect? Nonetheless, some will refuse that blessing, choosing instead to disobey Jehovah. Some individuals may rebel during the Millennium, but they will not be allowed to disrupt Paradise. (Isa. 65:20) We may be reminded of Ezekiel’s vision and think of those marshy places that remained barren, “abandoned to salt.” How foolish are those who stubbornly refuse to drink from the precious water of life! After the Millennium, a group of rebels will side with Satan. All who reject Jehovah’s righteous rule will face the same end: eternal death.​—Rev. 20:7-12.

20. What arrangement for our benefit during the Millennium reminds us of the trees that Ezekiel saw?

²⁰ Trees for food and healing. Jehovah does not want any of us to lose out on eternal life. To help us take hold of the marvelous opportunity he is offering, he will again make sure that there will be an arrangement like those trees that Ezekiel saw. In Paradise, though, the benefits from Jehovah will be physical as well as spiritual. In heaven, Jesus Christ and his 144,000 corulers with him will rule as kings for the Millennium. As a priestly class, the 144,000 will administer the benefits of Christ’s ransom sacrifice, helping to lift faithful humans to perfection. (Rev. 20:6) This arrangement for physical and spiritual healing reminds us of those trees that Ezekiel saw along the riverbanks, trees that bear nourishing fruit and have leaves that heal. Ezekiel’s vision parallels another beautiful prophetic passage, as recorded by the apostle John. (Read Revelation 22:1, 2.) The leaves of the trees John saw are “for the healing of the nations.” Countless millions of faithful humans will benefit from the priestly services of the 144,000.

21. How does contemplating Ezekiel’s visionary river affect you, and what will we consider next? (See the box “A Trickle Becomes a Torrent!”)

²¹ As you contemplate Ezekiel’s visionary river, is your heart not filled with peace and hope? What marvelous times lie ahead of us! And just think​—Jehovah painted striking word pictures of that time thousands of years ago, patiently inviting us to be there to see the great fulfillment, the reality promised in the pictures. Will you be there? You might wonder if there will really be a place for you in Paradise. Let us consider next how the closing passages of Ezekiel’s prophecy give us reassurance.

1, 2. (a) What instructions does Ezekiel receive from Jehovah? (b) What questions will we consider?

EZEKIEL has just seen a vision that must have made his thoughts travel back nearly 900 years to the days of Moses and Joshua. At that time, Jehovah outlined to Moses the boundaries of the Promised Land and later told Joshua how that land should be allotted among the tribes of Israel. (Num. 34:1-15; Josh. 13:7; 22:4, 9) But now, in the year 593 B.C.E., Jehovah instructs Ezekiel and his fellow exiles to allot the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel again!​—Ezek. 45:1; 47:14; 48:29.

² What message did this vision contain for Ezekiel and his fellow exiles? Why is this vision a source of encouragement for God’s people today? Will it see a larger fulfillment in the future?

A Vision With a Four-Fold Assurance

3, 4. (a) Ezekiel’s final vision provided the exiles with what four assurances? (b) In this chapter, what guarantee will we examine?

³ The final vision that Ezekiel received fills nine chapters of his book. (Ezek. 40:1–48:35) It provided the exiles with four heartening assurances about the renewed nation of Israel. What were those assurances? First, pure worship would be restored in God’s temple. Second, righteous priests and shepherds would lead the restored nation. Third, land inheritances would be reserved for all those who would return to Israel. And fourth, Jehovah would be with them, dwelling among them again.

⁴ Chapters 13 and 14 of this publication considered how the first two guarantees​—the restoration of true worship and the leadership by righteous shepherds—​would come true. In this chapter, we will focus on the third guarantee, the promise about the inheritance of the land. In the following chapter, we will consider the promise regarding the presence of Jehovah.​—Ezek. 47:13-21; 48:1-7, 23-29.

“This Land . . . Is Assigned to You as an Inheritance”

5, 6. (a) In Ezekiel’s vision, what territory was to be assigned? (See opening picture.) (b) What was the purpose of the vision of land assignment?

⁵ Read Ezekiel 47:14. In vision, Jehovah directed Ezekiel’s attention to a portion of land that would soon resemble “the garden of Eden.” (Ezek. 36:35) Then Jehovah stated: “This is the territory that you will assign as the land inheritance of the 12 tribes of Israel.” (Ezek. 47:13) “The territory” to be assigned was the restored land of Israel to which the exiles would return. Next, as recorded at Ezekiel 47:15-21, Jehovah went on to describe in detail the precise external boundaries of the whole land.

⁶ What was the purpose of this vision of land assignment? The description of the precisely measured boundaries reassured Ezekiel and his fellow exiles that their beloved land would definitely be restored. Imagine how that reassurance from Jehovah, in such detailed and descriptive language, must have lifted the hearts of the exiles! Did God’s ancient people indeed receive land that was allotted to them as an inheritance? Yes, they did.

7. (a) What events began in 537 B.C.E., reminding us of what? (b) What question will we consider first?

⁷ In 537 B.C.E., some 56 years after Ezekiel received his vision, thousands of exiles began to return to the land of Israel and take possession of it. Those remarkable events of long ago remind us of a similar development that has been taking place among God’s people in modern times. In a way, they too received an allotment of land. How so? Jehovah allowed his servants to enter a spiritual land and take possession of it. That being the case, the restoration of the ancient Promised Land can teach us much about the restoration of the spiritual land of God’s people today. But before we consider these lessons, let us first answer the question, “Why can we conclude that a spiritual land truly exists today?”

8. (a) Jehovah replaced the nation of natural Israelites with what nation? (b) What is the spiritual land, or paradise? (c) When did it come into existence, and who have settled in it?

⁸ In an earlier vision given to Ezekiel, Jehovah indicated that prophecies about Israel’s restoration would see a greater fulfillment after his “servant David,” Jesus Christ, began to rule as King. (Ezek. 37:24) That event occurred in 1914 C.E. By that time, the nation of natural Israelites had long since been replaced as God’s people by a nation of spiritual Israelites, made up of spirit-anointed Christians. (Read Matthew 21:43; 1 Peter 2:9.) However, Jehovah replaced not only the natural nation of Israel with a spiritual nation but also the physical land of Israel with a spiritual land, or paradise. (Isa. 66:8) As we saw in Chapter 17 of this publication, the spiritual land is the secure spiritual environment, or realm of activity, in which the remnant of the anointed ones have been worshipping Jehovah since 1919. (See box 9B, “Why 1919?”) As time progressed, those with an earthly hope, the “other sheep,” also began to settle in this spiritual land. (John 10:16) While the spiritual paradise continues to develop and expand today, its blessings will be experienced to the fullest extent only after Armageddon.

Dividing the Land Evenly and Precisely

9. What detailed instructions did Jehovah give about the allotment of the land itself?

⁹ Read Ezekiel 48:1, 28. After having established the outer boundaries of the land, Jehovah described in detail how to allot the land itself. He directed that the 12 tribal inheritances be laid out evenly and precisely from north to south, starting with the tribe of Dan at the northern tip of the land and ending with the tribe of Gad at the southernmost boundary. Each of the 12 inheritances consisted of a horizontal strip of territory stretching from the land’s outer boundary in the east to the Great Sea, or the Mediterranean Sea, in the west.​—Ezek. 47:20.

10. What assurances did this part of the vision likely convey to the exiles?

¹⁰ What assurances did this part of the vision likely convey to the exiles? The detailed description that Ezekiel gave of the land allotment must have impressed on the exiles that the dividing of the land would be a well-organized project. Moreover, the precise division of the land among all 12 tribes underlined that every one of the returned exiles would receive a secure inheritance in the restored land. No one would return only to end up landless or homeless.

11. What lessons can we draw from the prophetic vision of the land allotment? (See the box “The Allotment of the Land.”)

¹¹ What strengthening lessons can we draw from this vision today? The restored Promised Land had a place not only for the priests, the Levites, and the chieftains but also for all other members of the 12 tribes. (Ezek. 45:4, 5, 7, 8) Similarly today, the spiritual paradise has a place not only for the anointed remnant and for those among the “great crowd” who take the lead but also for all other members of the great crowd.a (Rev. 7:9) No matter how modest our role in the organization may be, we have a secure place and a valuable assignment in the spiritual land. What a heartwarming assurance!

Two Significant Differences​—What Do They Mean for Us?

12, 13. What specific instructions did Jehovah give about assigning the tribes shares in the land?

¹² Some of Jehovah’s instructions about the allotting of land might have puzzled Ezekiel because they differed from those that God had given Moses. Consider two such differences. One has to do with the land; the other, with its inhabitants.

¹³ First, the land. Moses had been instructed to give the larger tribes more land than the smaller ones. (Num. 26:52-54) However, in Ezekiel’s vision, Jehovah gave specific instructions to assign all tribes “equal shares [“each like his brother,” ftn.].” (Ezek. 47:14) Thus, the distance from the northern border to the southern border in a tribal inheritance was to be exactly the same in each of the 12 allotments. All Israelites​—no matter which tribe they belonged to—​would have equal access to the natural bounty that the well-watered Promised Land was capable of producing.

14. How did Jehovah’s instructions regarding the foreign residents go beyond what had been stated in the Mosaic Law?

¹⁴ Second, the inhabitants. The Mosaic Law protected foreigners and allowed them to share in worshipping Jehovah, but they had no share in the land. (Lev. 19:33, 34) However, what Jehovah now told Ezekiel went beyond what He had stated in the Law. Jehovah instructed him: “Give the foreign resident an inheritance in the territory of the tribe where he has taken up residence.” With that command, Jehovah swept away a major difference between the “native-born Israelites” and the foreign residents in the land. (Ezek. 47:22, 23) In the restored land that Ezekiel saw in vision, he observed among its inhabitants equality and unity in worship.​—Lev. 25:23.

15. What eternal truth about Jehovah was confirmed by his instructions about the land and its inhabitants?

¹⁵ These two remarkable instructions that Ezekiel received about the land and its people must have reassured the exiles. They knew that Jehovah would allot an equal place to them, whether they were Israelites by birth or were foreigners who worshipped Jehovah. (Ezra 8:20; Neh. 3:26; 7:6, 25; Isa. 56:3, 8) These instructions also confirmed the uplifting and eternal truth that to Jehovah, all his servants are equally precious. (Read Haggai 2:7.) Today, whether we have a heavenly hope or an earthly one, we cherish that same truth.

16, 17. (a) How do we benefit from considering the details about the land and the inhabitants? (b) What will we consider in the following chapter?

¹⁶ How do we benefit from considering these details about the land and the inhabitants? We are reminded that equality and unity need to be outstanding features of our worldwide brotherhood today. Jehovah is not partial. We need to ask ourselves: ‘Do I reflect Jehovah’s impartiality? Do I treat each fellow worshipper with heartfelt respect, no matter what his racial background or circumstances in life may be?’ (Rom. 12:10) We rejoice that Jehovah has given all of us equal access to the spiritual paradise, where we render whole-souled sacred service to our heavenly Father and enjoy his blessings.​—Gal. 3:26-29; Rev. 7:9.

¹⁷ Let us now consider the fourth assurance given in the final part of Ezekiel’s last vision​—the promise that Jehovah would be with the exiles. What lessons can we learn from that promise? We will find the answer in the following chapter.

1, 2. (a) What special portion of the land is to be set apart? (See picture on cover.) (b) The vision provides the exiles with what assurance?

IN HIS final vision, Ezekiel learns about a portion of the land that is to be set apart for a special purpose. The portion set apart is offered, not as an inheritance for a tribe of Israelites, but as a contribution to Jehovah. Ezekiel also learns about a remarkable city with an intriguing name. This part of the vision provides the exiles with a most important assurance: Jehovah will be with them when they return to their beloved homeland.

² Ezekiel gives us a detailed description of that contribution. Let us examine this account, which is filled with meaning for us as true worshippers of Jehovah.

“The Holy Contribution Along With . . . the City”

3. What five areas made up the land that Jehovah set apart, and what purpose did those areas serve? (See the box “The Contribution That You Are to Set Apart.”)

³ The special portion of land measured 25,000 cubits (eight miles [13 km]) from north to south and 25,000 cubits from east to west. This square piece of land was called “the whole contribution.” It was divided into three horizontal sections. The upper section was for the Levites, and the middle section was set aside for the temple and the priests. Those two sections formed “the holy contribution.” The smaller lower section, or “the remaining area,” was “for common use.” It was for the city.​—Ezek. 48:15, 20.

4. What lesson can be drawn from the account about the contribution to Jehovah?

⁴ What lesson can we draw from this account about the contribution to Jehovah? By setting apart first the land for this special contribution and then the land for the tribes, Jehovah indicated that primary importance must be given to this spiritual center of the land. (Ezek. 45:1) No doubt, the exiles learned much from this order of importance in land allotment. They needed to give Jehovah’s worship the foremost place in life. Today, we similarly view spiritual activities, such as studying God’s Word, attending Christian meetings, and sharing in the preaching work, as being of primary importance. When we imitate Jehovah’s example of setting the right priorities, we keep our daily lives centered on worship of him.

“The City Will Be in the Middle of It”

5, 6. (a) To whom did the city belong? (b) To what does the city not refer, and why not?

⁵ Read Ezekiel 48:15. What was the significance of “the city” and its surrounding land? (Ezek. 48:16-18) In the vision, Jehovah had told Ezekiel: “The possession of the city . . . will belong to all the house of Israel.” (Ezek. 45:6, 7) Thus, the city and its surrounding land did not belong to “the holy contribution” that was to be “set apart to Jehovah.” (Ezek. 48:9) With that distinction in mind, let us examine what the arrangement of this city might teach us today.

⁶ To determine what lessons we may draw from the city, we need to establish first what this city could not be. It could not refer to the rebuilt city of Jerusalem with its temple. Why not? Because the visionary city seen by Ezekiel would have no temple within it. Also, the city did not refer to any other city in the restored land of Israel. Why not? Because no city with the features described in this vision was ever built by the returned exiles or their descendants. Further, the city could not refer to a heavenly city. Why not? Because it was built on land destined “for common [or, nonsacred] use” as distinct from structures built on land exclusively set aside for sacred worship.​—Ezek. 42:20.

7. What is the city that Ezekiel saw, and what does it seem to represent? (See opening picture.)

⁷ What, then, is the city that Ezekiel saw? Remember that he saw the city in the same vision in which he saw the land. (Ezek. 40:2; 45:1, 6) God’s Word indicates that the land refers to a spiritual land, so the city must refer to a spiritual city. In general, what is conveyed by the word “city”? The word conveys the idea of people living together as a group and forming something structured and organized. Thus, the well-ordered city that Ezekiel saw​—which was laid out as a perfect square—​seems to represent a well-organized seat of administration.

8. What is the realm, or sphere of influence, of this administration, and why so?

⁸ What is the realm, or sphere of influence, of this administration? Ezekiel’s vision reveals that this city functions within the spiritual land. Thus, this administration functions today within the realm of activity of God’s people. And what is indicated by the fact that the city stands on common, or nonsacred, land? It reminds us that the city refers, not to a heavenly, but to an earthly administration, which has been functioning for the benefit of all who inhabit the spiritual paradise.

9. (a) Who make up this earthly administration today? (b) What will Jesus do during the Millennium?

⁹ Who make up this earthly administration? In Ezekiel’s vision, the one taking the lead in the city government was referred to as “the chieftain.” (Ezek. 45:7) He was an overseer among the people, but he was neither a priest nor a Levite. This chieftain makes us think particularly of congregation overseers today who are not spirit-anointed. These caring spiritual shepherds from among the “other sheep” are humble earthly servants of Christ’s heavenly government. (John 10:16) During the coming Millennium, Jesus will select and appoint “in all the earth” qualified elders, or “princes.” (Ps. 45:16) Under the direction of the heavenly Kingdom, they will care for the interests of God’s people during the Millennium.

“Jehovah Is There”

10. What is the name of the city, and what assurance does that provide?

¹⁰ Read Ezekiel 48:35. The name of the city is “Jehovah Is There.” This name provides assurance that this is a city where the presence of Jehovah is felt. By showing Ezekiel this centrally located city, Jehovah, in effect, told the exiles: ‘I will be with you again!’ What an uplifting assurance!

11. What lessons can we draw from Ezekiel’s vision about the city and its meaningful name?

¹¹ What lessons can we draw from this part of Ezekiel’s prophecy? The name of this citylike administration assures us as God’s servants today that Jehovah does dwell with his faithful servants on earth now and always will. This meaningful name also stresses a vital truth: The city exists, not to give power to any men, but to implement Jehovah’s loving and reasonable ways. For instance, Jehovah has not given the administration the authority to divide the land, so to speak, as mere humans may see fit. Instead, Jehovah expects the administrators to honor the allotments, or privileges, that he himself has given to his servants, including the “lowly” ones.​—Prov. 19:17; Ezek. 46:18; 48:29.

12. (a) What is a remarkable feature of this city, and what does this illustrate? (b) This aspect of the vision provides Christian overseers with what important reminder?

¹² What is yet another remarkable feature of the city “Jehovah Is There”? While ancient cities had walls for protection with as few gates as possible, this city has 12 gates! (Ezek. 48:30-34) This large number of gates (three on each side of the square city) illustrates that the administrators of this city are approachable and available to all of God’s servants. Further, the city’s having 12 gates emphasizes that it is open to everyone, “all the house of Israel.” (Ezek. 45:6) The open character of the city serves as an important reminder to Christian overseers. Jehovah wants them to be approachable and to be readily available to all those living in the spiritual paradise.

God’s People “Come in to Worship” and “Are Serving the City”

13. What did Jehovah mention about the various services people would perform?

¹³ Let us go back to the time of Ezekiel and find out what further details he records in this extensive vision of the allotment of the land. Jehovah mentions people sharing in various forms of service. Priests​—“ministers of the sanctuary”—​were to offer sacrifices and approach Jehovah to minister to him. And Levites​—“ministers of the temple”—​were to “take care of its service and all the things that should be done in it.” (Ezek. 44:14-16; 45:4, 5) Further, workers would be active near the city. Who are these workers?

14. The workers near the city remind us of what?

¹⁴ The workers near the city come from among “all the tribes of Israel.” They have a supportive role. Their task is to grow crops that “will provide food for those serving the city.” (Ezek. 48:18, 19) Does this arrangement remind us of an opportunity that we have today? Yes. Today all inhabitants of the spiritual paradise have the opportunity to support the service of Christ’s anointed brothers and the service of those among the “great crowd” whom Jehovah has appointed to take the lead. (Rev. 7:9, 10) A main way that we provide this support is by willingly cooperating with direction from the faithful slave.

15, 16. (a) What other detail can we glean from Ezekiel’s vision? (b) We have the opportunity to engage in what similar activities?

¹⁵ Ezekiel’s vision contains yet another detail from which we can derive a lesson regarding our ministry. What detail? Jehovah mentions that members of the 12 non-Levite tribes would be active in two locations: in the temple courtyard and on the city’s pastureland. What is their activity in each location? In the courtyard of the temple, all tribes “come in to worship” by offering sacrifices to Jehovah. (Ezek. 46:9, 24) On the land of the city, members of all tribes come to support the city by cultivating its land. What can we learn from the example of these workers?

¹⁶ Today, members of the great crowd have the opportunity to engage in activities similar to those carried out in Ezekiel’s vision. They worship Jehovah “in his temple” by offering sacrifices of praise. (Rev. 7:9-15) They do so by sharing in the preaching work and by expressing their faith aloud at Christian meetings. They view the rendering of direct worship to Jehovah as their foremost responsibility. (1 Chron. 16:29) In addition, many among God’s people are able to support God’s organization in numerous practical ways. For instance, they help in constructing and maintaining Kingdom Halls and branch facilities, and they assist in many other projects initiated by Jehovah’s organization. Others support these projects with their financial contributions. They do all such cultivating of the land, so to speak, “for God’s glory.” (1 Cor. 10:31) They carry out their work zealously and joyfully because they know that Jehovah is “well-pleased with such sacrifices.” (Heb. 13:16) Are you taking full advantage of these opportunities?

“There Are New Heavens and a New Earth That We Are Awaiting”

17. (a) What larger fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision will we see in the future? (b) During the Millennium, who will benefit from the citylike administration?

¹⁷ In the future, will we see a larger fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision of the contribution? Yes! Consider this: Ezekiel saw that the land portion named “the holy contribution” was the center of the land. (Ezek. 48:10) Similarly, after Armageddon, no matter where we may live on earth, Jehovah will be dwelling with us. (Rev. 21:3) During the Millennium, the citylike administration​—that is, those on earth who will be appointed to care for the interests of God’s people—​will expand its influence around the globe by giving loving guidance and direction to all those who make up the “new earth,” a new human society.​—2 Pet. 3:13.

18. (a) Why can we be sure that the citylike administration will be in harmony with God’s rulership? (b) The name of the city gives us what firm assurance?

¹⁸ Why can we be sure that the citylike administration will remain in complete harmony with God’s rulership? Because God’s Word makes clear that the earthly city with 12 gates reflects the heavenly city with 12 gates, New Jerusalem, which is made up of Christ’s 144,000 corulers. (Rev. 21:2, 12, 21-27) This indicates that the earthly administration will mirror all decisions made by God’s Kingdom in heaven and will carefully carry them out. Yes, the name of the city “Jehovah Is There” assures each one of us that pure worship will remain and will flourish forever in Paradise. What a beautiful future awaits us!

JOEL 3:18 This prophecy shows a spring emanating from the temple sanctuary. It flows out to irrigate the dry “Valley of the Acacia Trees.” So both Joel and Ezekiel see a river bringing life to a barren place. In both cases, the river comes from Jehovah’s house, or temple.

ZECHARIAH 14:8 The prophet Zechariah sees “living waters” flowing from the city of Jerusalem. Half of the water runs to the eastern sea, or Dead Sea, and half, to the western sea, or Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem was “the city of the great King,” Jehovah God. (Matt. 5:35) Zechariah’s mention of that city thus reminds us of Jehovah’s rulership over the whole earth in times to come. We have long understood that the waters in this prophecy suggest that Jehovah will bless two groups of faithful humans in Paradise, those who live through the great tribulation and those who are resurrected afterward.

REVELATION 22:1, 2 The apostle John sees a symbolic river much like the one that Ezekiel saw. However, it emanates, not from a temple, but from Jehovah’s throne. So this vision, like that of Zechariah, seems to stress the blessings of divine rulership during the Millennium.

Of course, there is only a subtle distinction between the blessings that come from Jehovah’s rulership and those that are represented by the river that Ezekiel saw in vision. All such blessings come from Jehovah and flow to all faithful people.

PSALM 46:4 Note how this one verse seems to embrace both aspects​—worship and rulership. Here we see a river that brings rejoicing to “the city of God,” suggesting the Kingdom and rulership, as well as to “the holy grand tabernacle of the Most High,” suggesting pure worship.

Taken as a whole, these passages assure us that Jehovah will bless faithful mankind in two ways. We will benefit eternally, first, from his rulership and, second, from his arrangement for pure worship. So let us be determined now to keep seeking from Jehovah God and his Son “living water”​—their loving provisions for everlasting life!​—Jer. 2:13; John 4:10.

The River Brings Blessings

ANCIENT: Once the exiles returned to their homeland, blessings flowed to them as they took part in the restoration of pure worship at the temple

MODERN: In 1919 pure worship was restored, opening the way for an unprecedented flow of spiritual blessings to God’s faithful servants

FUTURE: After Armageddon, the flow of blessings from Jehovah will be physical as well as spiritual in nature

Life-Giving Water

ANCIENT: Jehovah richly blessed his obedient people, even as their numbers increased, making them thrive spiritually

MODERN: In the developing spiritual paradise, ever-growing numbers have benefited from the expanding flow of Jehovah’s spiritual blessings and have come to life in a spiritual sense

FUTURE: Armageddon survivors will be joined by untold millions of resurrected ones, and Jehovah’s blessings will be abundant for all

Trees for Food and Healing

ANCIENT: In a spiritual sense, Jehovah fed his faithful people in their restored land; he also healed them of the spiritual sickness that had long plagued them

MODERN: Ample supplies of spiritual food are helping people to counteract the pervasive spiritual sickness and starvation of today’s world

FUTURE: Christ and his 144,000 corulers will help all obedient mankind to reach perfection and to enjoy health and vitality forever!

A secure place and a valuable assignment

Each individual among the returned exiles would have an inheritance in the restored Promised Land. Similarly today, the spiritual paradise has a place for all of Jehovah’s servants. No matter how modest our role in the organization may be, we have a secure place and a valuable assignment in the spiritual land. To Jehovah, all his servants are equally precious.

Equal allotments

In Ezekiel’s vision, each territory in the restored Promised Land provided its inhabitants equal access to the bounty of the land. Similarly today, Jehovah has given all his servants equal access to the blessings of the spiritual paradise.

A. “The Contribution”

It is for governmental use and is referred to as “the administrative strip.”

EZEK. 48:8

B. “The Whole Contribution”

It is set aside for the priests, the Levites, and the city. Also, individuals from all 12 tribes enter this portion to worship Jehovah and to support the administrative arrangement.

EZEK. 48:20

C. “The Chieftain’s Territory”

“This land will become his possession in Israel.” “It will be for the chieftain.”

EZEK. 45:7, 8; 48:21, 22

D. “The Holy Contribution”

This area is also described as “a holy portion.” The upper section is “for the Levites.” It is “something holy.” The middle section is “the holy contribution for the priests.” It is “a place for their houses and a sacred place for the sanctuary,” or temple.

EZEK. 45:1-5; 48:9-14

E. “The Remaining Area”

“It will belong to all the house of Israel” and “will be for common use of the city, for housing and pasture ground.”

EZEK. 45:6; 48:15-19

Jehovah gave the prophet Ezekiel and the apostle John visions that have striking similarities. Features of those visions teach us valuable lessons that help us worship Jehovah acceptably now and provide a window into life in Paradise under God’s Kingdom.