Ezekiel 12:23-25

23-25. I will make this proverb to cease The execution of the prophetic threat has so often been withheld, because of the repentance of a few righteous men or the long-suffering of Jehovah (33; Jeremiah 18:7-8; Jeremiah 26:17-19), that the failure of the prophetic judgment had become a proverb. The mercy of God in postponing chastisement is used as a proof that God did not and could not rule in the affairs of men. (It is the same spirit which says that God is always on the side of the heaviest guns. But did not that general die in exile?) Besides this there were many, who claimed to be seers, who prophesied according to the wishes of the people, and painted Israel’s future as bright and prosperous (Ezekiel 12:24). This made the work of the true prophet more difficult. But now “the effect” (literally, word) of every vision “is at hand” and will not again be delayed. Soon everyone will be able to discriminate between the false divination and the true prophecy (Ezekiel 21:21; Deuteronomy 18:10; Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 28:3; Isaiah 30:10).