Ezekiel Shown Abominations in the Temple

While Jeremiah continued to bear testimony in the land of Judah, God raised up the prophet Ezekiel among the captives in Babylon to warn and to comfort the exiles. Ezekiel made plain how foolish it was to trust the predictions of an early return to Jerusalem. God also instructed him to use a variety of symbols to predict the siege and destruction of Jerusalem.RR 159.1

In the sixth year of Zedekiah’s reign, the Lord revealed to Ezekiel some of the abominations being practiced in Jerusalem, even within the inner court of the Lord’s house. See Ezekiel 8:10. Those who should have been spiritual leaders—“elders of the house of Israel” (verse 11)—were offering incense before the pagan images brought into hidden chambers within the temple court. “The Lord does not see us,” they declared blasphemously. Verse 12.RR 159.2

The prophet was shown “women sitting there weeping for Tammuz,” and “about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.” Verses 14, 16. Now the glorious Being who accompanied Ezekiel during this astonishing vision inquired of the prophet: “Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? ... My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.” Verses 17, 18.RR 159.3

Through Jeremiah the Lord had declared, “Both prophet and priest are profane; yes, in My house I have found their wickedness.” Jeremiah 23:11. In the closing account of Zedekiah’s reign, this charge of violating the temple was repeated: “All the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the Lord which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.” 2 Chronicles 36:14.RR 159.4

The day of doom for the kingdom of Judah was fast approaching. Again “the word of the Lord came to” Ezekiel: “Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, ... ‘Every vision fails’?” “Therefore say to them, ... ‘The word which I speak will be done,’ says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 12:21, 22, 28.RR 159.5

Chief among those rapidly leading the nation to ruin was Zedekiah their king. Forsaking the counsels of the Lord, forgetting the debt of gratitude he owed Nebuchadnezzar, violating his solemn oath of allegiance taken in the name of the God of Israel, Judah’s king rebelled against the prophets, against his benefactor, and against his God. In his own wisdom he turned to the ancient enemy of Israel, “sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people.” Ezekiel 17:15.RR 159.6

“Will he prosper?” the Lord inquired. “Will he who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still be delivered? ... Nor will Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company do anything in the war. ... Since he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and in fact gave his hand and still did all these things, he shall not escape.” Verses 15-18. “Remove the turban,” the Lord decreed, “and take off the crown.” Not until Christ Himself sets up His kingdom will Judah again have a king. “Overthrown, overthrown, I will make it overthrown!” was the divine edict concerning the throne. “It shall be no longer, until He comes whose right it is, and I will give it to Him.” Ezekiel 21:26, 27.RR 159.7