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. (Ezekiel 12:23) 

The proverb concerns the land of Israel.  It read:  “The days are prolonged, and every vision fails” (12.22).  God had a variety of ways by which He communicated His Word to Israel.  An audible voice, tablets of stone with His written word, the Urim and Thummim, dreams, visions, and the breathing out of His words through even the limitations of human beings.  Ezekiel had many visions which were at times communicated in quite extraordinary object lessons.   

When it seemed that the visions of Ezekiel were not coming to pass like he said they would, many in Jerusalem foolishly believed that the end was not near and the every vision had failed.  The LORD told Israel to had Ezekiel to utilize an object lesson to teach Judah that Judgment had not been postponed.  He would eat bread while quaking and drink water with trembling anxiety (12.18).  This indicated a future in which Israel would do the same and the city and its homes became desolate (12.20). 

The days were indeed at hand.  When you hear “Thus says the Lord God”, it is important to listen, because He will fulfill every vision, dream, and word.  The judgment concerning Jerusalem involved the inhabitants being carried away to exile for their sin.  But future judgement awaits all mankind.

Future Judgement for Sin

All believers know that God hates sin.  He will by no means clear the guilty; He must punish sin.  The Bible is the Word of God.  As such, it clearly tells us that it is appointed unto man to die once.  When he does, he shall be carried into the presence of God to face judgment.  Those who are believers experience mercy but unbelievers horrific judgement.  The spiritual state in which you die will be forever fixed.  

Many simply do not believe this will ever happen.  These words will fail and never happen.  Others not as bold and arrogant to contradict God claim that words about future judgement for sin apply to another people at another time.  They have no bearing on us.  Still others believe that such a judgement is way down the road.  

If the FBI broke down the door of your home in the middle of the night and charged you with conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, you’d pay close attention to what they were saying.  And yet God speaks of future judgment and charges mankind of sin against their Creator.  Are they listening?  Are they concerned about their sin?  Many in our country seem no more concerned about future judgement for sin than they are for countless Christians being persecuted the world over because they proclaim the only hope to shield their countrymen from that judgment.