But where does all this take us—to Heaven to recline in our mansion? No indeed! Our progress in eternal life makes it possible for us to awaken the dead creation. Notice the pattern.

God brings us back to where we began. Down we come from the Mount of Transfiguration to minister to those bound with demons.

Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. (Ezekiel 47:7)

The "very many trees" are of course the saints who have been made trees of eternal life by being made part of the one eternal Tree of Life, Christ.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:3)

We find our greatest joy when we understand that our spiritual progress has not been for our own elevation but so we may assist others. We have now become a tree planted by the rivers of life. Those who have no eternal life will live by the eternal life of God that comes from us.

Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. (Ezekiel 47:8)

The "sea" speaks of mankind. Mankind is sick and needs healing. Here is a picture of the revealing of the sons of God and the healing of spiritually dead mankind.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles [nations] shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3)

When God's Glory is revealed in His sons the nations of the earth will come to be healed and blessed.

And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. (Ezekiel 47:9)

The above verse is in exact parallel with Romans 8:21 concerning the revealing of the sons of God and the resulting liberation of the creation.

A great multitude of people ("fish") will be healed. The river of life flowing from the personalities of those in whom the Father and the Son are tabernacling will bring eternal life to the nations of the world and all else of the creation.

And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. (Ezekiel 47:10)

To be continued.