It is surmised that Ezekiel was among the first group of exiles from Jerusalem. As such, he must have heard news of what was still going on in Jerusalem. The people still there had not changed any of their routines. The Babylonians were at the gates, but they were still trusting in other gods and other nations to save them rather than the Lord God.
God gave Ezekiel prophecies to act out for all to see. Visual images of what was going on back in Jerusalem and the result. God has Ezekiel create a miniature representation of Jerusalem using a clay jar and lay siege to it. Then God has Ezekiel lay on his side one day for each of the years that Israel (340 days) and Judah (40 days) sinned against him.
God's next warning involved Ezekiel cutting his hair and destroying it in three ways: burning, cutting with a sword and throwing to the wind, to demonstrate the three ways that the people of Jerusalem would be destroyed. These were not warnings from God for the people to change their ways. These were prophecies of what was already set in motion. And when God told Ezekiel to tell the land of Israel that the end was near, it was not a threat, it was not a warning to change their ways. It was not a mother warning their children 'if you run out in the street and get run over, I'm going to kill you.' This was the roar of a mighty lion as he runs down his prey.
I will put an end to the pride of the mighty, and their sanctuaries will be desecrated. When terror comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none. Calamity upon calamity will come, and rumor upon rumor. They will try to get a vision from the prophet; the teaching of the law by the priest will be lost, as will the counsel of the elders. The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. Then they will know that I am the LORD." - Eze. 7:24-27 NIV
This was the end.
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