The Four Rivers of Eden

Introduction

When we read the book of Genesis we see that there was one river that entered the garden in order to water it, but then, while inside the garden, that river would be split into the heads of four rivers. These four rivers would then leave the garden to water four major places on earth.

Genesis 2:10-14 (WEB)

10 A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became the source of four rivers.

11 The name of the first is Pishon: it flows through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

12 and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there.

13 The name of the second river is Gihon. It is the same river that flows through the whole land of Cush.

14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel. This is the one which flows in front of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

First let me start by stating plainly that I believe that the garden of Eden was a real place on earth and that the rivers are literal rivers. However, the garden of Eden and the rivers within it, also serve as symbols of spiritual realities.

So in the past weeks, the Lord was ministering to me that this river that went into the garden, and the four that left are significant in the life of the church and that of the believer.

The Believer

The garden of Eden was an allegorical picture of the born again believer.

John 7:38 (WEB)

He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”

Just as the garden was watered by one river yet, when the river left, it was now divided into four rivers that went on to water the rest of the earth, the believer, drinks of the river that flows out of Christ, and when he does so, there are four rivers that flow out of him to water the earth.

Let’s get in further.

John 7:38-39 (WEB)

38 He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”

39 But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.

So this river that flows out of Christ to water the believer is The Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit has entered the believer, he manifests in four areas of ministration that flow out of him into the world.

Let’s look into it.

The four ministrations of the Spirit out of the Believer

Isaiah 11:2 (KJV)  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

You will notice from this that the Holy Spirit has 7 attributes which are grouped into four ministries.

1. The Spirit of Yahweh.

2. The Spirit of WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING

3. The Spirit of COUNSEL and MIGHT

4. The Spirit of KNOWLEDGE and FEAR of the Lord.

The One Holy Spirit that enters into the believer, is divided into four dimensions within him, to go minister in the earth.

The bible calls these four dimensions the Four Spirits of the heavens that God sends out into all the earth.

Zechariah 6:5 (KJV)

And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

I talk about this in my teaching on the seven seals.

Back to the Garden

When you look back to the four rivers of Eden, you will notice that their names were significant and the names of the places they went to are significant.

For Example

1. PISHON – INNER WITNESS

The first river was called PISHON, which means INCREASE.

It encircled the territory of Havillah where 3 precious stones were produced; Gold, Bdellium and Onyx.

Gold and Onyx were key precious stones used to make the Urim and Thurim in the ephod of the high priest. (Exodus 28)

The Ephod on which was found the Urim and Thurim are an old testament version of the inner witness or unction that now guides the born again believer. (1 John 2:20, 27)

Bdellium is another precious stone which is only mentioned one more time in the scriptures as the colour of Manna. (Numbers 11:7)

Manna is an old testament shadow of the leading ministry of the Holy Spirit. (Mathew 4:4), (John 6:58,63)

Manna is likened to the daily Rhema word of God received via his Spirit.

Now.

Scripture then tells us that we must build the house of God with precious stones and not with wood and straw. Those who build with precious stones will retain their reward.

The four Ministrations of the Spirit out of the Church

While the garden represents the believer, it also represents the church.

When the River of the Holy Spirit flows into the church it leaves the church as four rivers to minister to the earth.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

1. Apostles

2. Prophets

3. Evangelists

4. Teachers and Pastors

These are the four rivers of the Spirit that flow out of the belly of the church.

They go hand in hand with the four rivers that flow out of the belly of the Believer.

1. Apostles – – Spirit of the LORD

2. Prophets – – Spirit of Counsel and Might

3. Evangelists – – Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord

4. Pastors and Teachers – –  Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding

With time, one can go back to the names and significance of the four rivers mentioned in Genesis 2, and find the same areas of influence.

Conclusion

With time, one can look at the 4 living creatures of Revelation and find the same connection.

1. The Lion who calls the white horse (Evangelists)

2. The Cow who calls the Red Horse (Teachers and Pastors)

3. The Man who calls the black horse (Apostles)

4. The Eagle who calls the pale horse (Prophets)

However, if we were to get into this… The presentation would not end.

For now, I am done.