IT IS December 609 B.C.E. The Babylonian king has begun his final siege of Jerusalem. So far, Ezekiel’s message to the exiles in Babylon has centered on one theme: the fall and destruction of their beloved city, Jerusalem. Now, though, the subject of Ezekiel’s prophecies shifts to the doom of the pagan nations that would rejoice at the calamity upon God’s people. When Jerusalem falls 18 months later, Ezekiel’s message once again takes on a new theme: the glorious restoration of true worship.

Ezekiel 25:1–48:35 contains prophecies about the nations surrounding Israel and the deliverance of God’s people.a Except for Ezekiel 29:17-20, the account follows chronological as well as topical order. However, these four verses are in place topically. As part of the inspired Scriptures, the book of Ezekiel has a message that “is alive and exerts power.”​—Hebrews 4:12.

‘THAT LAND IS TO BECOME LIKE THE GARDEN OF EDEN’

(Ezekiel 25:1–39:29)

Foreseeing their response to the fall of Jerusalem, Jehovah has Ezekiel prophesy against Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, and Sidon. Egypt is to be plundered. ‘Pharaoh the king of Egypt and his crowd’ are likened to a cedar that will be cut down by the “sword of the king of Babylon.”​—Ezekiel 31:2, 3, 12; 32:11, 12.

About six months after the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E., an escapee comes and reports to Ezekiel: “The city has been struck down!” The prophet is ‘no longer speechless’ to the exiles. (Ezekiel 33:21, 22) He has restoration prophecies to declare. Jehovah “will raise up over them one shepherd, [his] servant David.” (Ezekiel 34:23) Edom is to be desolated, but that land yonder, Judah, is to become “like the garden of Eden.” (Ezekiel 36:35) Jehovah promises to protect his restored people from the attack of “Gog.”​—Ezekiel 38:2.

“SET YOUR HEART UPON ALL THAT I AM SHOWING YOU”

(Ezekiel 40:1–48:35)

It is the 14th year after the city of Jerusalem was struck down. (Ezekiel 40:1) Fifty-six years of exile still lie ahead. (Jeremiah 29:10) Ezekiel is now close to 50 years of age. In a vision, he is brought to the land of Israel. He is told: “Son of man, see with your eyes, and with your ears hear, and set your heart upon all that I am showing you.” (Ezekiel 40:2-4) How thrilled Ezekiel must be to receive a vision of a new temple!

The glorious temple that Ezekiel sees has 6 gateways, 30 dining rooms, the Holy, the Most Holy, a wooden altar, and an altar for burnt offerings. “Going forth” from the temple is a stream of water that becomes a torrent. (Ezekiel 47:1) Ezekiel also receives a vision of tribal assignments of land​—each allotment running east to west with an administrative strip between the allotments of Judah and Benjamin. “The sanctuary of Jehovah” and “the city” named Jehovah-Shammah are located in this strip.​—Ezekiel 48:9, 10, 15, 35, footnote.