Understanding the Scriptural Foundations of
the Four Rivers | One Source Principle
Q&A regarding the Four Rivers One Source…
Q: What is the “Source” of the “Four Rivers”?
A: I articulate it as the present voice of the Eternal God which is therefore consistent both from the distant past and into the soon coming future.
Explanation: “Four Rivers” is a personalized application and play on Scripture’s first reference to the “Four Riverheads” of the real and original paradise Garden of Eden [1]which man was expelled from and the One Riverhead revealed in the Revelation’s Paradise Restored[2]. I believe that the four principles of life, love, light, and liberty, the “Four Rivers” as I refer to them, are united and embodied in One Person[3], Jesus Christ.
Jesus brings us to God through His life giving principles and these are as truly implied and found in the careful study of the River of Water of Life as described to us by Moses and John—that river of life which flowed from Eden and that does flow from the Throne of God and of the Lamb is also that which will be enjoyed by the redeemed in the ages to come[4].
The four subjects of life, love, light, and liberty, which I understand to find their Source in the Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, I summarize and refer to as “Four Rivers”, the principles of which are all evidently found in and throughout the Scriptures.
It can be simply stated in this way — Jesus Himself, as the Word of God, is like the Garden of Eden, and wherever He goes, from Him flows life, love, light, and liberty for all and to all who are thirsty.
[1] Genesis 2:10
[2] 2 Corinthians 12:1-4; Revelation 22:1-2
[3] John 1:1-18
[4] Revelation 22:1-5
Q: Why is there a need?
A: We live in a dying, disconnected, dark, and degraded world and I believe there is a call to “gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost”.
Explanation: Thus, Four Rivers One Source is a communication of my personal Christian Philosophy and Worldview System of Faith, Thought, and Practice as it exists within the context of the “Everlasting Gospel” as articulated through the Three Angel’s Messages found within the Book of Revelation’s chapter fourteen. The Everlasting Gospel message is, I believe, the final warning to the earth and is the means of the fulfillment of these words of Jesus, “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.”
As we communicate the Gospel and seek to apply its core principles to our lives for character development and growth, we must have a definite aim which we are reaching for. I understand these four principles to be the essence of God’s character and nature, and if we are to grow in them, we must receive them from Him.
Q: Who is the Source of the “Four Rivers”?
A: God Himself.
Explanation: I begin with the One Source revealed in Scripture – The Creator of all. God Himself is the “Voice of One speaking”[1]. This One Voice flows out through Jesus Christ into the world, calling any and all to find in Him their unifying Source and Center.
[1] Genesis 1:1-3, Deuteronomy 6:4, Ezekiel 1:26-28, Ephesians 4:4-6, Revelation 1:12
Q: Where is the Source of the “Four Rivers”?
A: In the Heavenly Temple/Sanctuary.
Explanation: As the Creative Author of the Universe[1], God is also revealed as the Source and Sustainer of all life[2], the Center and Seal of all love[3], the Father and Sender of all lights[4], and the Giver and Upholder of all free will and legitimate authority both in heaven and therefore on earth[5].
His dwelling is in Heaven[6], and though He is invisible and inaudible[7] to us, if we cry out for understanding[8], ask and seek for Him with our whole heart[9], He will be found.
[1] Genesis 1:1—2:25; John 1:1-3; Revelation 1:8; (Creation is the Intelligent Design of the Alpha and the Omega)
[2] Genesis 1:2, 1:20-28, 2:7; Ecclesiastes 3:19 Daniel 5:23; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Matthew 5:45; John 6:63; Hebrews 12:9; Revelation 4:5 (There is One Breath or Spirit of Life in all living and sentient creatures)
[3] Genesis 2:15-18; Exodus 20:1-17; Song of Songs 8:6-7; Ezekiel 37:26-28; Zechariah 6:12-13; Matthew 11:25-30, 22:35-40; John 6:27-29, 14:15; 1 John 4:2—5:5; Revelation 1:5, 4:3, 11:19—15:8 (The Commandments / Covenant of God is an eternal transcript and pledge of His own character of love, and thus it is both just and merciful)
[4] Genesis 1:2-3; Deuteronomy 4:12-19; Psalm 119:105, John 1:4-13, 1:51, 8:12; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; Hebrews 1:7, 12:29; 1 John 1:5; James 1:17; Revelation 1:12-20, 2:1-29, 3:1-22, 4:1-11, 5:6, 8:2-3 (All true light or lights come from and have their source in God Himself as the Father of lights, and comes through His Son Jesus Christ, the Word and Chief Messenger of the Covenant and Commander of all angels, whether in heaven or on earth)
[5] Genesis 41:40, Daniel 4:34-36, 5:23; Ezekiel 1:4-28; Matthew 19:28, 20:20-23, John 3:8; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 (Moral Authorities); Romans 13:1-7 (Civil Authorities); Ephesians 6:12 (Evil Systems, Agencies, and Institutions); Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 3:21—4:2-11 (God’s Throne is the foundation which makes clear the spiritual interrelationships between all heavenly and earthly thrones, powers, and authorities)
[6] 1 Kings 8:39
[7] John 5:37
[8] Proverbs 2:1-6
[9] Deuteronomy 4:29, Jeremiah 29:13
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Regarding the “River of Life” Principle –
In Heaven this referenced river is a literal water of life which redeemed humanity can drink from.
This literal river of life also supports the literal tree of life which yields its fruit every month and of which those who do His commandments and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb will be granted access to.
Finally, the literal atmosphere which is poured out from the real leaves of that tree, supported by the river, will supply the redeemed family with the new pure air which they will breathe in from in order to communicate and sing praises of God to forever.
The many basic laws of health and life that we experience now are part of that world to come—fresh air, water, nutrition, exercise, light. Though some, like light, are revealed as integrally united to the redeemed in such a way that the Scripture refers to their new condition as that of a “celestial body ”(1) and ones which will “shine like the brightness of the firmament…like the stars forever and ever ” (2).
The key principle to observe in our world is that “a merry heart does good like a medicine”(3) and that Jesus said, “I am willing, be cleansed ”(4). God desires us to live and be healthy now, for He said, “I am the LORD that heals you ”(5). In His Word are found rivulets that may be applied to our souls and thus to supply life to us.
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you ”(6). “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life …” (7). “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life ”(8).Scripture References:
(1) 1 Corinthians 15:40, 42-52; Revelation 1:12-16
(2) Daniel 12:3
(3) Proverbs 17:22
(4) Matthew 8:3
(5) Exodus 15:26
(6) Romans 8:11
(7) Proverbs 15:4
(8) John 6:63
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Regarding the “River of Love” Principle –
The love between God and the Lamb, those Persons Who share the Throne from which flows that One Literal River of Life, is the basis of our love on earth, as it is also written,
“We love Him because He first loved us ”(1) and “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another .” (2)
That Son He refers to is the Lamb (3) Who shares the Throne together with God. The key principle to observe in our world is that “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law…Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law .” (4)
All throughout the world love is inherently understood as a chief principle of life. The golden rule is known as “do to others as you would them do to you”. The Scripture says, “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another .” (5)
Rivers of love are walking all around us. People born of men and woman who, at various spectrums of intensity, had some level of love for one another. Fathers and mothers, boys and girls, men and woman, children still in the womb or being raised in orphanages by others with genuine love in their hearts—each and all loves, however faint, are as a stream that can be traced back to the garden original, and, to those who accept the offers of grace and extend it to others, are sources and channels of heaven’s love come down to us.
Because all the law is fulfilled in love, it can be inferred that all the various commandments and principles guiding action through Scripture, though some may be archaic to modern day hearers, find their ultimate root in the love of God which also directs love for one another.
Scripture References:
(1) 1 John 4:19(2) 1 John 4:9-11
(3) John 1:29
(4) Romans 13:8, 10
(5) 1 Thessalonians 4:9
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Regarding “River of Light” Principle –
The river is described in this language “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal”, like light. The principles of light implied here communicate transparency (1) , purity (2) , and practically enlightening utility (3) .
All true light communicated through messengers of God embody these principles and thus reflect and lead back to Him and His Throne as the One Genuine Source of life.
Scripture authors are vessels of light, carrying a message not within selves originated, but having their eyes and hearts on the Word of God, the lamp that shines in a dark place with all its illuminating promises of the world to come, they wrote and spoke and taught (4) .
Ultimately, as the Scripture says, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Human vessels are merely mirrors (5), channels, and reflectors of light which they have received from others (6). This is why they can be and are sometimes referred to as angels, which simply means messengers (7) , or like the angels (8).
The original angelic creatures themselves, even before humans were brought to the stage of action (9), had been messengers in the courts above, reflecting back the light which they received from the Great Source of Light. This is why the fallen angel known as Satan was once known as Lucifer (10) or “Light Bearer”.
Though there seems to be some darkness for a time, eventually light breaks forth (11). So now, both the Father of lights and the father of lies are invisible and veiled (12). Yet, in time, the opposing and mutually exclusive lines of light and of “light ” (13) will lead those who follow and walk after them, directly to the face of their original and ultimate Source (14).
Scripture References:
(1) 1 John 1:5(2) Matthew 5:8
(3) Matthew 6:22-23
(4) 2 Peter 1:19-20
(5) 2 Corinthians 4:7
(6) 1 Corinthians 14:36, 1 Corinthians 4:7
(7) Revelation 1:20
(8) Matthew 18:10, John 1:51, Revelation 4:6, 7
(9) Job 38:4-7
(10) Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:13-19
(11) Proverbs 4:18
(12) Deuteronomy 4:11-13, John 1:18, John 5:37, 1 Timothy 6:16, Ephesians 2:2
(13) Acts 26:18, Colossians 1:12, 2 Corinthians 11:14
(14) Exodus 33:20, Isaiah 33:14, 53:3, Revelation 6:16, Hebrews 12:29, Revelation 20:11-12
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Regarding “River of Liberty” Principle –
The River proceeds from God’s Throne, which is the center of His Kingdom, for a throne implies a kingdom, and that kingdom is thus held together by what is referred to by James as, “The Royal law” and the “Perfect Law of liberty” (1).
The God King who sits on this throne gives His commandments which the beloved Apostle John describes as, “Not burdensome ” (2). His law is referred to as “the Truth ”(3), and Jesus Himself said, “The Truth shall make you free .” (4)
The Commandments of God and subsequent obedience are the conditions of liberty.
Yet Scripture curiously speaks of this “obeyed from the heart” (5) motif. This implies that there is a kind of obedience that is hidden yet is well known to God. This also reveals that freedom is not merely an outward liberation from tyrannical powers without, but from the tyranny of self within. Freedom from oneself is just as much a need as is freedom from evil kingdoms.
In order for one to be free from the binding addictions that chain them, it is the truth which they must “obey from the heart”. Only in obedience there can one find liberty there as well. This is the most secret and intimate river which either broadens and expands freely or becomes narrow and eventually dries out.
Yet, even in such a condition, where there is life there is hope, and so even this river can miraculously be “born again ”(6) and the “voice as the sound of many waters ”(7) can flood into the soul to open this river, if one will but simply ask.
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water .” (8)“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever …” (9).
Scripture References:(1) James 1:25, 2:8-12
(2) 1 John 5:3
(3) Psalm 119:142
(4) John 8:31-32
(5) Romans 6:17
(6) John 3:3
(7) Jeremiah 51:16, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Daneil 10: 6, Revelation 1:15
(8) John 7:38-39
(9) 1 Peter 1:22