Ezekiel 47:4
Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
The waters to the knees and to the loins are two further measured stages of a stream that begins as a very small rivulet and grows ever deeper and wider as it flows on its course. At each measuring the waters issuing from under the threshold of the house eastward rise higher, brought first to the knees and then to the loins, marking increase in depth and breadth until a large work is done and many souls are reached.
The deepening pictures the work issuing eastward from the house toward the east country and into the sea, extending to the east and to the west and to the north, to the islands of the sea and to all parts of the world. The stream of living water deepens and widens in its course as the gospel advances, onward and still onward until the whole earth has been warned, and then the end comes.
The increase of the truth for this time from a small beginning into a large work reaching many souls comes not through display or any human devising, but through the working of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of human agencies. It is the way Christ worked, and when His followers make His methods their methods His blessing attends their labors.
Therefore the work is not to be centered in any one place, brought under one management, or have strength and efficiency concentrated in one place. It is to become a great and living interest managed in many places by human instrumentalities, with great interests to be managed in many places. Each institution is to remain independent working out God's plan under His direction, since burden-bearing in different localities gives strength and development. The work being done at Madison illustrates how the message should be carried in many places.
The deepening stream also means the spread of the gospel in its purity under the overruling guidance of the Holy Spirit, with God's people preparing the way of the Lord. In all fields, nigh and afar off, men will be called from the plow and from common commercial vocations and educated in connection with men of experience who understand the truth, so they proclaim the truth in clear, unmistakable language with power. Through wonderful workings of divine providence mountains of difficulty are removed and cast into the sea, the message that means so much to earth-dwellers is heard and understood, and men know what is truth.
The river pictures God's chosen kingdom as not a stagnant pool but constantly flowing until its life-giving waters are spread over all the earth. Wherever the gospel is received its grace heals the maladies that sin has produced, as the Sun of Righteousness arises with healing bringing light, strength and refreshing, and the good fruit borne bears witness to a work of righteousness. Those who with contrition walk humbly with God, look to Him, and walk in Christ's footsteps in union with the Holy Spirit experience growing sanctification, comfort and victory over the world.