The six guards of the city that Ezekiel sees are really executioners. Together with the man clothed in linen (a heavenly scribe), the group numbers seven, the perfect number. What makes their advancement necessary is the first stage of the departure of God’s presence from the temple. He moves from the Most Holy Place to the threshold (9:3). The only thing that makes the temple a holy place is the presence of a holy God. When he leaves, the temple becomes like any other building. It surrenders its sanctity.

There were seven thousand in Elijah’s day who did not bow the knee to Baal. And there are those in Ezekiel’s day who grieve and lament over all the detestable things (9:4). The heavenly scribe is to put a mark on the foreheads of these faithful believers who have not compromised religi…