Ezekiel 48:35b

Ezekiel 48:35b (ESV): “And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”

One day soon, the Lord Jesus will crack the sky and come riding on the clouds. He will descend upon the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4), take His earthly throne in Jerusalem, and the city will be called Yahweh Shammah—“The Lord is There.”

Ezekiel is given the final details of the Millennial city known to us as Jerusalem. He describes the gates on every side and concludes with a prophetic word about what the city will be called. The name Yahweh Shammah—“The Lord is There”—was also prophesied by Isaiah (Isa. 60:14) and Jeremiah (Jer. 23:6; 33:16). Ezekiel once saw the Lord depart from Jerusalem (Ezek. 11:22–25), but now he sees the Lord’s glorious presence returning to dwell in the Millennial city that bears His name. It is a powerful picture of God’s faithfulness to complete His plan exactly as He promised.

Are you longing for the return of Christ? Does that thought frighten you—or comfort you? His appearing is closer than you might think, for we will either breathe our last breath and stand before the Lord, or we will be raptured, or we will see Him coming on the clouds. The point is that we should be living with imminence, that the Lord could come at any moment. Live your life with that truth in mind. Keep your heart centered on Him, and if you are not ready to see Him, get right with Him now, because that day is quickly approaching—one way or another. Be ready!

Father, we thank You for reminding us of the inevitable reality of our face-to-face meeting with You. Prepare us, Lord. May that thought stir a longing in our hearts rather than fear. Prepare us daily to meet You, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.