Imminent Judgment without Delay

Ezekiel 12:17-28 

17 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 18 "Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water with trembling and anxiety. 19 And say to the people of the land, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the land of Israel: "They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink their water with dread, so that her land may be emptied of all who are in it, because of the violence of all those who dwell in it. 20 Then the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall become desolate; and you shall know that I am the LORD."'"

21 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 22 "Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, The days are prolonged, and every vision fails'? 23 Tell them therefore, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel."' But say to them, '"The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision. 24 For no more shall there be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. 25 For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it," says the Lord GOD.'"

26 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 27 "Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.' 28 Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done," says the Lord GOD.'"

There was imminent judgment without further delay to come on God’s people who rejected Him and His word through His messengers such as Ezekiel.  Judgment would not be postponed any longer as the people said to escape divine justice.  God preferred to give them a chance to repent but they repeatedly ignored the warnings and opportunities.  Now it would be postponed no longer.  Even the prophet ate with fear and trembling.  Of course for we who are in Christ now who have not rejected His gospel message and follow His word, we work out that sure salvation with fear and trembling of what we once faced and do so no longer.  We have a more certain hope (Hebrews 6:18-19), sure and rock steady, to anchor our souls on the foundation of Christ our Rock (Matthew 7:24, 2 Timothy 2:19).  Israel, however, refused for the majority to look to this veiled promise to come.  They continued in refusing to hear or see and hardened their stiff necks in rejection and without repentance.  Their city and nation would be laid waste until they humbled themselves and looked to Him as they had covenanted with the LORD to do (Joshua 24:24-25) but which agreement they continually violated.  They even had a proverb, a saying, that God would delay judgment and accountability and all the prophets gave messages which were not to come pass.  They reasoned away God’s word of warning and lived for their own idolatry and immortality because they refused to take the LORD seriously.  God told them through Ezekiel, "The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision. For no more shall there be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.”  God’s word would certainly come true and their false communication with manmade dead gods would not.  There would be no more postponement of His word holding them accountable.  It would happen while they still lived and not to their future generations as they had falsely wished.  His word would be done.  Period.  Then some would repent who were of the planned remnant (Romans 9:27-28, of His people.  Hope is for those He chooses, calls, makes holy, and brings to Himself (Romans 8:29) as they repent and trust His work and word by the grace gift of faith.  There will be an immediate judgment in the latter days which will offer no more such opportunity.  These things are a shadow of the final judgment to come swiftly upon the world which rejects Him and refuses to turn from sin to Him.  May all who hear and consider these things turn to Him before then!