A Picture Of The One New Man

In his epistle to the Ephesians, Rav Shaul (the Apostle Paul) states in the second chapter that in His death, Yeshua broke down the dividing wall of partition between Jew and Gentile in order to create in Himself "one new man."  God's goal for His people is unity.  It is this unity, this expression of the "one new man" being lived out that will bring about the next great wave of God's power across the earth.  But what's that supposed to look like?  How will we recognize it?

About 10 years ago the Lord gave me a verse from the book of Ezekiel that became the theme verse for the ministry that He is still establishing for my wife and I.  The exact reference is Ezekiel 47:9, and it says this:
"And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go shall live...for they will be healed, and every thing will live wherever the river goes."

I've looked at that verse for 10 years.  I've had it printed on my ministry business card for Living Rivers Ministries for years.  Yet only within the last couple of days did it strike me of what a beautiful picture this verse gives us of the One New Man of Ephesians 2.  You see, as the rivers begin their flow they are just that rivers (plural).  The Hebrew word for this is nechalayim.  It literally means "twin (or) dual rivers."  As these two rivers flow together in the same direction they carry life and healing to all who are touched by their waters.  But another great phenomenon is taking place that isn't as obvious with a cursory reading of that verse.  As it continues to flow the rivers are no longer referred to in the plural but as a single river (the Hebrew word nachal).

This is the picture of the emergence of the One New Man in the last days.  For decades Jewish and Gentile believers have flowed as two divergent and distinct streams or rivers, and not always in the same direction.  But in the last several years God has been dealing with the Gentile Church concerning her Jewish roots and many Gentile believers are beginning to honor the Shabbat and the Lord's Feasts as prescribed in the Torah.  We are beginning to see wonderful, new and vibrant relationships being developed between the Jewish and Gentile rivers of Messiah's body, and they are beginning to flow in the same direction.  As they do that they bring life and healing to all they touch.

My wife and I have seen this dynamic at work as we've been welcomed into the community of Freedom in Christ Church in North Pole, Alaska over the past two and a half years.  We have been seeing the practical outworking of the One New Man, as this Church and its leaders embrace the Jewish roots of the faith and as we respect each other without trying to change each other. 

Eventually what has to happen is a convergence of the two rivers as they become one.  Instead of two separate streams, we have one powerful river bringing life everywhere we go.  This is God's intention for His body in the last days.  This is how the last great outpouring of God's supernatural power will be poured out and displayed in the world in these last days - as these two separate rivers, Jewish and Gentile, flowing in the same direction become one mighty and powerful river - One New Man.  This is what Yeshua prayed for in John 17, "That they may be one."  This is what will bring the blessing and power of God to bear on His people.  This will be the last great revival before Yeshua returns and it has already begun.  "...everything will live wherever the river goes."