Scripture
Ezekiel 47:1-12
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”
AI Prompt
An abstract vertical image resembling an oil painting, with a stylized cross at the top and a prominent, vivid blue stream flowing towards the bottom. The blue stream should be rendered with thick, expressive brush strokes characteristic of oil paintings, enhancing its visual impact. The greens at the bottom are also depicted with a painterly style, blending organically with the blue. The use of oil paint textures should add depth and richness to the colors, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The overall composition should convey the fusion of spiritual and natural elements, but with the tactile, textured feel of an oil painting, giving it a more artistic and expressive quality.
Process/Reflection
The water flowing from this visionary city and temple is said to flow from the south side (near the altar). The water begins as a trickle, but as it flows it becomes an ever-deepening river of life which causes everything around it to enliven and thrive. In Christ's work on the cross, we see the substance of this vision. He is the altar--the place of sacrifice--from which the life-giving river of God's forgiveness and healing has its source. The new Eden--the restoration of creation--is what is being described. The initial versions of this painting were very "electric" looking, so I prompted AI to make it more abstract and more like an oil painting. The vertical dimension was intentional.