There came a time when the people began to believe that the temple was their security blanket. They had "god" locked in and locked down.  The God of the universe could never be defeated, and this was His Temple - therefore, He would never leave. This led to false security. Jeremiah and Ezekiel were rejected, in part because they foretold the fall of the temple and the departure of God's presence. God is not tied to a place or a people. Do not presume upon God.

On This Very Spot

God Has Left the Building

Ezekiel 10:15-22

1. God's presence moves away when God's people live in sin.

Ezekiel 8:6

What they did IN the temple drove the presence of God away in their lives, but what we do WITH the temple can drive away His presence from our lives.

2. God's presence moves to the righteous when they suffer.

Ezekiel 11:16

God's presence moved to the East Gate, and Babylon is east of Jerusalem.

3. God's presence moves so that the lost might be found.

Ezekiel 11:62-63

The same God who left the building also left Heaven to make atonement for me and you.