Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looks eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. 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. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters. Ezekiel 47:1-5.
With the exception of Christ who is the head of the church, upon whom the Father immeasurably or immensely outpoured the Holy Spirit (John3:34), each and every one of us in the kingdom of God have received measure of faith (Romans 12:3), measure or part of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), measure of the revelation knowledge of the word of God (2 Peter 3:16), measure of the power of the Spirit of God in individual’s in the church (Ephesians 3:20), to the end that all should continue to look up to Christ; to keep thirsty and running after the Lord into the secret place of prayer and communion for more of him, more of the refilling supply of the Spirit of God as apostle Paul says (for I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:19), more of the fullness that can only be found in Christ alone (the fullness of him that fills all in all. Ephesians 1:23), as it is written, and of his fullness have we all received, and grace for grace. John 1:16.
If your faith is as small as the seed of mustard, there is room for growth and faith increase until till you are filled or full of faith (2 Thessalonians 1:3) if you meet up with certain scriptural criteria and requirement such as to walk by faith, and not by sight, to live by faith as the just shall live by it, to speak faith (not considering the facts surrounding your situation) of God’s word and promises as the evidence of things not seen, and the substance of things hoped for. On the other hand, it is also possible for those who seems to have full faith to lose it because they will not be holding unto their faith in a pure conscience to shipwreck both their soul and faith. 1 Timothy 1:19.
Again, if we meet the conditions of abiding life (for he that says he abides in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6) in the vine, we will create room for more of divine enablement and manifestations of divine presence in the kingdom because the presence of Christ and God’s abode will result, not only in the fullness of his Spirit in us, but the personal witness of such fullness within us, following the testimony of the people – beneficiaries of such fullness around us. John 15:5.
While little drops of water make the mighty ocean, we should not lose focus on any gift in us, but to develop it, lest we erroneously regard it as insignificant (for whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Matthew 13:12), but to appreciate every good and perfect gift (s) coming down from God, and to zealously keep and put the gift (s) at work or exercise it for profitability unto the Lord: otherwise, the Lord can take it away from us to be given unto another (Matthew 25:24-28) who will make profitable use of it before him: that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelled in us. 2 Timothy 1:14. Note: God is the judge and promotion is from him. Whether you have a gift or a talent, if you diligently put it into use, it could possibly increase into five and more gifts as the reward of your diligent service to God, while three gifts or more with negligence of duty and slothfulness of spirit could end up in demotion from God who brings down one and exalts the other. Psalms 75:7.
The Spirit of God initiate (cause a process or action to begin) and oversee (responsible) everything in the kingdom in and through us for Christ glory according to your (a) personal walk and life in the spirit: in other words, according to the measure of your walk and life in the spirit which speaks of your separation from the world and sin in consecration unto God: (b) according to your submission to the word of God and to the indwelling Spirit of God which speaks of your brokenness or spiritual emptiness. Note: carnality is poisonous to spirituality: none among them that are full of themselves will be filled of the spirit of God. Self emptiness should precede Spirit filling, the diminishing of the outward man gives a rising of the waters of life in the inward man.
God evaluate our profitability of grace and profitability in grace to determine our place, position and the next assignment in the body (for the earth which drinks in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God: but that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned) of Christ – his church. Hebrews 6:7-8.
God measure us with the measure of grace we received of him, if more should be given or not (for I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10), if we are delivering or not, if we are living up to his expectations or not, if the gifts are use properly for the right purpose or not, if we are not acting, behaving, living and walking like the cursed children who have forsaken the right way, and have now become wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 2 Peter 2: 1-17.
God will measure (I know your works. Revelation 2:9) your spiritual lifestyles, degree and your works before him in the light of his word according to the grace given or received from him. It is important to know your measure in the Lord according to the measure of your faith (Romans 12:3) so that you might walk with all lowliness and humbleness of mind, lest you become conceited and fall into the sin and condemnation of Satan – pride.
What do you have that you do not receive? It is also important not to compare or measure yourself with anyone in the kingdom, though you know your stand with God and what is deposited in you by his indwelling Spirit (now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:18-20) as you let another praise you, and not your own mouth because such self -boasting and comparison with others is spiritual foolishness and pride – sin. 2 Corinthians 10:12.
Your filling cannot be lesser than your assignment, it should be greater, if you are to be effective. God desire is that you should be filled up in order to measure up with your assignment – be not ye drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18. Note: watch and pray, men ought to pray and not to faint: the measure of your spiritual tank (indwelling filling of the Spirit of God) will determine the standard level of resistance you will be able to release to withstand the enemy when he come in like a flood against you – when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of God will lift up a standard against it. Isaiah 59:19.
Also, there is the measure of assignment, the field and land to occupy for the Lord which must not be crossed over, lest by your false and unrestraint zeal without knowledge, you should disorganized the organized work of God allotted for others: this is spiritual intrusion, trespass and unlawful occupation of another’s man’s territory in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 10:13-15.
Anyone like apostle Paul can be a teacher and pastor at the same time (2 Timothy 1:11), but not as a prophet, lest he should scandalize the prophetic office, as everyone, especially among the Pentecostal movement today want to become a prophet, while many of them prophecy by divination or falsely from their deceitful heart. Let none among us in the church seek to become what he is not from God, lest they found God such as they would not (terrible and unpleasant. 2 Corinthians 12:20), for unto every one of us is given grace (power or enablement) according to the measure of the gift of Christ. This intimate that Christ determines what ministerial office he assigned to his male children (emphasis male) in the church for the work of the ministry. Note: with joy shall you draw water from the wells of salvation, but the spiritual well of each of the five-fold ministerial gifts and calling is not of the same depth of spiritual capacity or annointing, lest anyone should attempt to enter into Moses or Aaron ministry and be swallowed up alive by the earth after the order of Dathan, Korah and Abiram, including their foolish followers. Isaiah 12:3.
Moreover, each of the five offices in the church ministry do not have the same power capacity bearing and anointing because of the unique choice of him who has left captivity captive, that he might give gifts unto men for the perfecting of his saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:7-14. Note: it is the primary work of the chosen men in the church who are occupying the fivefold ministry to labor in the word and to bring the rest of the members of the body unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ because the measure of their spirituality determine the overall fullness of the flocks under their care – woe unto the shepherd who will not continually thirst, hunger and seek after the Lord for freshness of bread and fullness of the Spirit (for the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered. Jeremiah 10:21), so that he can impact the sheep (the hunger and thristy) under his care with freshness of bread and fullness of the Spirit of God.
David had his armies which fought alongside with him in the battles, but he also had Special Forces of thirty seven men in number for special duties, and among them is another special force of three unique men recognized for their exploits above the rest. 2 Samuel 23:8-39.
Today, we still have people like Peter in the church who are filled with the spirit and power of the spirit of God, who must be sent for, while other believers are waiting, and the mourners are wailing, that he might pray and bring Dorcas back to life. Acts 9: 36-42. Like Ananias was assigned by the Lord to help Paul received back his lost sight, and to be filled with the Spirit of God shortly after his conversion (Acts 9:17), the Lord also have his special force (s) for special work: they are his mighty children (among his strong ones) who are so drunken, not with wine, but are filled up with his Spirit: they are fearless and very powerful men and women in the spirit with burning and fuel of fire. Isaiah 9:5.
Believers are called to be soldiers, but Lord knows the level and capacity of individual’s spiritual container or tank. They are called to engage in spiritual warfare against powers and principalities, but the Lord will not appoint anyone of them to the hottest part of the battle front like David wickedly instructed Joab, the captain of his army, to appoint Uriah into the hottest part of the battle front to get rid of him, that he might take away his wife from him. 2 Samuel 11:14-15.
2 Corinthians 10 verses 8, for though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed…. there are hierarchy (ranking, pecking order, grading, ladder etc) of spiritual power and authority in the church, even as there are hierarchy of power in the world and in the kingdom of darkness. This is the reason you should listen first to the voice of the Spirit of God within you before you engage in any spiritual warfare, if you will be able, according to the measure of his power that is at works in you, cast out certain demons, if you are filled up for the task or not, – what king, going to make war against another king, will not sit not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Luke 14:31.
The Ezekiel vision of the waters from the altar of the house or temple exemplify the true picture of four different categories of indwelling filling measure and capacity of the Holy Spirit among the children of God in the church.
There are certain things to do consistently to assure the gradual increase of the well of the living water until it become a river, risen water, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over: (a) spend quality time to give quality praise and worship songs before the Lord every morning as sacrifices of praise before you present your petition. Psalms 92:2: (b) the second spiritual exercise demand self discipline to pray routinely between the intervals of three hours daily after the pattern of the early church. 6:00 am. 9:00 am. 12pm. 3:00 pm. 6:00 pm etc: (c) indulge in habitual praying in the spirit – pray in tongues. Acts 2:4. 1 Cor. 14:15: (d) live and walk in the spirit, consciously and laboriously reproducing the fruit of the spirit in every conversation and circumstance. Galatians 5:25: (e) every day and night meditation in the word of God. Psalms 1:1-3: (f) under any circumstance, let not joy of the spirit dry in you, don’t let the devil steal it from you (Joel 1:12), but make sure to always flow in the joy of the kingdom, for the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost: (g) avoid the behaviors (lying, anger; stealing, bitterness, wrath, clamor, evil speaking, malice and corrupt word) and words that can grieve the Spirit of God: if you grieve the spirit of God, how can you be filled up by him? Ephesians 4:22-31: (h) Chose convinient days for habitual weekly routine fast thrice a week. Matthew 5:20: Luke 18:12. Luke 5:35.
The different levels of the water to the ankles, knees, loins, and the risen river of the waters flowing from the temple speaks of the capacity power of the indwelling Spirit of God in each member of the body of Christ. Water is the symbol of the Spirit of God (in the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this he speaks of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39), though we all have the spirit of God indwells us, for no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:3), but the testimony of his outward transforming work in us, – his witnessing impact about Christ to us, or the confirmation of the testimony of Christ in us, – and his glorification of Christ through us in the power of his resurrection is not of the same level in each and every one of us based on our personal acquaintance and experience of God – self abasement in conformity to Christ death in the fellowship of his suffering for the manifestation of the power of his resurrection. These and other things are the factors that raised the level of the river of the living water in the life of a believer.
In his conversation with the woman of Samaria by the well of Jacob, Christ made mentioned of a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14), while on the day of the great feast at Jerusalem, he made mentioned of the rivers of the living water. We know that a well can dry during the time of drought, if it is not dig deep enough. We also know that rivers often get their water from many tributaries, or smaller streams that join together, meaning, there is possibility of spiritual modification and expansion of the well to become a river, if there is increasing desire of more of the Lord as the hart longs for flowing streams. The facts that individual’s interest, pursuit and motives are different in the kingdom, this also determines the depth of thirst and hunger for spiritual appetite with the outcome of a different capacity of empowerement for exploits in the Lord.
There is an irresistible – dominion, open heaven anointing of the indwelling spirit of God if we will dig deeper. Acts: 6:10. Acts 7:56.
You should not and cannot not compared the reward of the Lord for a believer who spends five hours each day both on prayers and meditations in the word to another believer who spend two hours before the Lord each day. According to his consecration and the state of his heart before God, the power of God’s Spirit working in a brother can be the ankle level of power, and of another, it can be the knees level of power, and of another, it can also be the loins level of power, and of another, it can also be the great river level of power, that none could pass over, for the waters will be raised, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. Jeremiah 47:5.
God looks into the deep of the deep of your heart to respond and bless the true longing, hunger and desire of your heart. This was the reward of Elisha’s thirstiness for the double portion of his master’s power and anointing which was his reward shortly after Elijah was taken away to heaven before his eyes. The measure of his new level of power made him a commander and lord over his former mates who are the sons of the prophets in all the cities and towns where they formerly sought to stop and to keep him in the same spiritual measure, position, power and authority as they were: but his determination and hunger for greater and double portion of Elijah’s power made the different. Note: walk and live in the mindfulness of God, for he will surely reward the fruit of your heart or thoughts: with the upright, he will show himself upright, and with the pure, he will show himself pure, and with them whose heart is perfect towards him, he will he show himself strong on their behalf. 2 Chronicles 16:9.