Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, … (Philippians 3:2-3)

This chapter warns those in leadership within churches. I am not saying all church leaders are like those mentioned in this chapter. But it is true that false leaders hate saints within churches. False leaders think they are important and are loved by the majority. They think they are the center of the universe. But God tells them they are nothing. God knows what they have done to His people within churches.

They say, ‘Haven’t our houses been recently rebuilt? This city is a pot, and we are the meat in it. (v.3)

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on me, and he told me to say: “This is what the Lord says: That is what you are saying, you leaders in Israel, but I know what is going through your mind. You have killed many people in this city and filled its streets with the dead. “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: The bodies you have thrown there are the meat and this city is the pot, but I will drive you out of it. (v.5-7)

False leaders think that they suffer from various things because they are disciples of God. The truth is that they suffer because of their evil deeds. God uses civil governments to punish them but they say that the governments are evil. The people they killed are the ones God care about.

It is not because of false leaders that God punishes the world. Those who follow false leaders are also to be punished. Yet, the world goes on as it has been until the coming of our Lord. When He comes, false Christians and unbelievers will mourn.

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

Although visible churches are destroyed and the church leaders become silent, the invisible church remains strong because the Lord is with His people. In the OT era and even now, people think that God stays in a specific geographical location. Whether it is the city Jerusalem, Israel nation, a church building, etc. people want to believe that God is in a certain location. That is the idea of a pagan religion. Our God does not live in a certain location. God is always with His people.

Therefore say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “Though I had removed them far away among the nations, and though I had scattered them among the countries, yet I was a sanctuary for them for a little while in the countries where they had gone.”’ Therefore say, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”’ (v. 16-17)

And it is not by men’s will that we are saved. God bring His remnant people to His Kingdom and gives them the new heart by giving His Spirit. His people are His Kingdom.

When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it. And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so 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. But as for those whose hearts go after their detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down on their heads,” declares the Lord God. (v.18-21)

As you read the second letter of Peter and the Book of Revelation, you will understand that the writings of Ezekiel are connected to the last days. Saints will go into exile. We may already be in exile. But God is with us (Immanuel).

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)