10:18 the LORD departed. The shekinah glory signifying God’s presence was finally leaving the temple, where God had met His people for hundreds of years. See on Ezekiel 9:3. It next stood over the real cherubim at the east gate (Ezekiel 10:19). The figures of cherubim had been overlooking the Ark of the Covenant in the temple, which was soon destined to be destroyed, with its furnishings carried away to Babylon. The departure of the real cherubim from the temple could well suggest that the ark and its carved cherubim were departing as well. Both were seen later by John in the heavenly temple (Revelation 4:6-8; 11:19).