We discussed physical and spiritual purifications. Let's look more closely at water.


LITERAL - PHYSICAL

Literally, we know the cleansing power of water. We bath in it, shower in it, wash our hands in it, wash our dishes in it, wash our cars in it. Water is used everywhere for cleansing.

Yahweh told us about physical purification in Leviticus.

And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed. Leviticus 11:32

And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days. Leviticus 14:8

The whole earth was cleansed, literally by the water of the flood. And will eventually be cleansed, literally, by fire before it is remade, new.

Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:6-7


FIGURATIVE

Literal cleanliness, though important to our physical life, is nothing compared with the cleansing of our spiritual life. Literal water is physical so can ONLY cleanse physical impurity. If (literal) water is being discussed or reckoned with spiritual impurity, it can ONLY be figurative, symbolic, commemorative, prophetic or pagan.

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:25-26

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire [not water at all] Matthew 3:11

Yahushua answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Yahweh. John 3:5

Is there any water with power to cleanse spiritually? and how can it work? Even Pilate, in the act of causing our Saviour's crucifixion, used the symbol of washing his hands in water to show he had no guilt.

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Matthew 27:24

The Messiah did, also:

After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Sir, dost thou wash my feet? Yahushua answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Yahushua answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Sir, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Yahushua saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit... John 13:5-10

Peter replied, literally, wash my hands and head also. But the Messiah told Peter that it was a figurative cleansing. How else could washing feet only, make him clean "every whit" (completely)?

All of the above use the SYMBOL of water to ILLUSTRATE a figurative spiritual purification. But each verse makes it clear that the physical application of water is NOT what cleanses. For cleansing there must be a spiritual change. The usual spiritual change is acceptance of Yahweh's spirit as the person's spirit - an indwelling spirit of Yahweh!


SPIRITUAL WATER

Spiritual water is an agent that leads us to the true spiritual cleansing. It is not physical (literal) at all, but is spiritual. Spiritual "water" can lead to spiritual purification.

The "water" that leads us to spiritual cleansing and satisfies our thirst is Yahweh's word, given by His Spirit of Truth. Yahweh is represented by a rock (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) and the water flows out of that rock like the water that flowed out of the rock that Moses hit.

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14

Yahushua (known in heaven by the name "Yahweh", the same name as his Father) speaks again of this "living water", which is flowing from those who believe in Him.

... Yahushua 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, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given ; because Yahushua was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:26

Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. John 15:3

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Peter 1:22

When the Spirit of Truth is insufficient, Yahweh works through affliction, which is also referred to as "water". Affliction "tries" (refines or purifies) us, but Yahushua promises to be with us in these waters.

And though יהוה [Yahweh, our god] give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: Isaiah 30:20

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2

Any claim that physical water can cleanse spiritual impurity is pagan (from Satan).

Physical water can cleanse physical impurity.

Figurative water is only a SYMBOL of a cleansing agent, not the actual act.

Spiritual "water" (the Word and Spirit of Yahweh) is the agent that leads us to Yahweh's spiritual cleansing.

His desire is that ALL be cleansed and saved.