The River of God flows through the Sanctuary of the living God.

"Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them."  (Ezekiel 47: 12 NIV)

Ezekiel describes a vision of the future Church of God in Chapter 47. What in fact is the Church? 
The Church is the People of God.
The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Church is the Body of Christ.
The Church is the Bride of Christ.

We can now understand why Christ says that the gate of hell shall never prevail against the Church.  (Matthew 16: 17 - 19l

What is the life principle of the Church?  Ezekiel describes it as the water from the Sanctuary which flow from it.  This water is the Holy Spirit.   The Holy Spirit is the life principle of the Church.  In the Creed, He is called the Lord and Giver of life.

Come O Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Your faithful.  Come and kindle in us the fire of Your love.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com