The sacred spaces mentioned earlier were useless when empty (see Ezekiel 37:7–8). The temple needed the presence of the God of Israel's glory to be meaningful. This glory had left in Ezekiel 10. Now, it would return from the east, the same direction it had left. Unlike its slow and hesitant departure, its return would be sudden, with the loud roar of rushing waters (see Ezekiel 1:24; Revelation 1:15). As usual, the prophet fell face down in awe of this glory.