God has Left the Building

This phrase I am about to say has probably been heard by all of us at some point in time in our lives. The kids among us may not, but we are going to introduce it to them this morning.

December 15th 1956 a 22 year-old, up and coming singer was performing at the Louisiana State Fair grounds. It would be the last time he would sing for this particular company because he had just bought out his contract in order to sign with a larger company.

Over 10k people gathered to hear him sing that night. When he finished and left the stage, their cheers for an encore drowned out the next singer. Finally, a PA announcer came over the intercom and said, “Elvis has left the building...”

God’s glory watches over His people (9:1-7)

In chapter eight, Ezekiel is given a vision which will continue through chapter eleven.

If you want to break it down this way you can:

Chapter seven declares God’s judgment against an idolatrous people.

Chapter eight gives a vivid description of their idolatry.

Chapter nine through eleven describes the effects of their idolatry in accordance with God’s presence.

However, you need to praise Him this morning church because God has never been guilty of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Notice, the position of God’s glory in v. 3 (He is at the entrance).

See the vision of the seven men!

One clothed in linen with an inkhorn (vs. 3-4)

Six armed with weapons of war (v5-7)

Those marked for destruction were found even within the presence of God!

1 Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

In other words, how close you pretend to be to God is not important. How close others think you are is not important. The question is are you in Him?

The departure of God’s glory works against the wicked (10:18-19; 11:1-7)

The glory of God has removed Himself farther from the mercy seat. V. 19 lets us know that He has now stopped at the Eastern gate.

The Eastern Gate was formed by Solomon as the entrance to the temple courtyard and led directly into the temple itself.

Across from the temple is the mount of olives and the valley of Kidron runs below it.

The eastern gate was the gate of coronation. It was a gate of celebration! It was a gate of worship!

Yet, 11:1-7 shows us a different picture at this gate. It had become the gate of rebellion!

There were influential leaders.

They had an important message.

They were instigators of Divine judgment.

God has left His temple for the purpose of brining about the doom of the wicked. (Rev. 19)

The return of God’s glory waits for the moment of redemption (11:17-25)

Ezekiel, the prophet entrusted to bring this message, is broken. He knows his people, his nation, and his land are all coming to an end.

So, he cries out to God for a second time at the beginning of chapter eleven, “God will there be any left.”

God encourages Ezekiel with this promise v. 17:

There will be a people.

There will be a nation.

There will be a land.

There will be a change vs. 18-19

But, for now judgment is coming! (vs. 22-25)

The last place Ezekiel sees the Glory of God is on the mount of olives.

God’s presence watches His people.

God’s presence departs in opposition to the wicked.

God’s presence will always return at the point of redemption!

Another prophet, Zechariah, a generation after Ezekiel will return to the land of Israel with the exiles. He will look upon that same mount of Olives and through the Spirit of God utter Zechariah 14:4-5 “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, Which is before Jerusalem on the east, And the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, And there shall be a very great valley; And half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, And half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; For the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: Yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah: And the Lord my God shall come, And all the saints with thee.”

Conclusion: It Was Your Tears!