The Latter Glory

When Joshua led Israel across the Jordan River from the wilderness to the promised land, the waters of Jordan rolled back all the way to a city called Adam (Joshua 3:16) and the waters flowing into the Dead Sea were cut off.

This was symbolic of what happened when Jesus died on the cross. When Jesus was crucified, blood and water flowed from His side (John 19:34). It may have looked like a trickle in the natural world, but in the spirit world it became a mighty flood that has cleansed millions from sin. His death shut off the river of death which issued from Adam and flowed down through the centuries into the sea (which is symbolic of nations) of dying humanity.

At Calvary, Jesus released the flow of living water which He had promised:

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 spake he 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)

Jesus made this declaration during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles which was also called the Feast of Ingathering because it represented the final great harvest of the Jewish year. Specifically, He made this declaration on what was called the “Great Day” of the feast when a ritual called the outpouring of waters occurred. On this day, water was taken from Siloam Spring and poured on an altar while Isaiah 12:3 was quoted… “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (The name “Siloam” means “sent”. See John 9:7.)

The two verbs “come” and “drink” used in this passage are in the present imperative tense of the Greek language. This means they are commands, not just invitations, and they denote continuous action. Jesus was saying, “Keep coming and keep drinking.” The verb “flow” is also in the present tense. If we keep coming and drinking, we will keep being filled and the power and glory of God will keep flowing through us.

The Prophet Haggai prophesied of a greater glory coming to the latter Temple (Haggai 2:1,9). This prophecy was given when Israel was rebuilding their Temple which had been destroyed by the enemy. The new temple was where, years later, Jesus Christ preached and worked miracles. Indeed — the latter glory was greater than the former.

The glory of God is returning to His people. It won’t be in outward show or splendor, but the latter glory will be greater than the former because it will flow from within. Are you ready to receive it?