Ezekiel 8-11  As Ezekiel sits in his house facing the elders of Judah, he experiences another amazing vision.  He is taken to Jerusalem and shown the temple.   He sees the "idols of jealousy" at the entrance of the north gate.  He sees  another at the altar gate.  He sees through a hole, into a dark room where detestable carvings cover the walls and 70 elders worship, thinking that God cannot see them.
He sees women weeping before a Syrian idol at the gate of the Lord's house.  He sees men with their backs to the temple bowing towards the east.. worshiping the sun. The Lord calls all of these "abominations".  Disgusting and abhorrent to Him.

Then, Ezekiel sees the glory of the God. Judgement is pronounced. All who grieve the wickedness and idolatry are marked.  All the rest are to be slain.... " old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women... " 

"The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is very, very great, and the land is filled with blood, and the city is full of perversion; for they say, 'The Lord has forsaken the land and the Lord does not see.' But as for Me, My eye will have no pity nor shall I spare, but I shall bring their conduct upon their heads."  ( 9:9-10)

Ezekiel then witnesses the glory of God.. leaving the temple in Jerusalem.  God will no longer make His presence manifest there.

Ezekiel is in despair and asks God if there will remain a remnant of Israel.  The Lord gives a wonderful promise in His answer, " And I shall give them one heart, and shall put a new spirit within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and given them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances, and do them . Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God. " ( 11:19-20)

This passage makes me wonder about our world today.. and how long before the Lord pronounces judgement for the abominations that fill our nations.  False idols.  False religions.  Perversions and wickedness. Violence and bloodshed.  The Lord sees it all.  There is nothing that He does not know. He has not changed His mind about judging the sinful.. even the "little children".  That is the most terrifying thought of all..

Lord God,  preserve us from judgement, forgive our iniquities, and bring us into the Truth that we might worship You alone.  You alone are worthy of our praise and our thanksgiving.  You alone are the source of our every breath and the reason for our being.   Fill us always with Your Spirit that we may walk according to Your Word and be Your people as You are our God.  Thank You for giving us life in Jesus Christ our Lord.  To Him be the glory! Amen.