MOREOVER, THE SPIRIT LIFTED ME UP AND BROUGHT ME TO THE EAST GATE OF THE LORD'S HOUSE WHICH FACED EASTWARD: (Ezek 11:24; 3:12,14; 8:3; 37:1; 40:1,2; 41:1; 1Kings 18:12; 2Ki2:16; Ac 8:39; 2Co12:1-4; Rev1:10) (Ezek 10:19; 43:4)

"Spirit lifted me" is same phrase used 6 times in this book (click here).

"East gate" is the gate facing eastward toward the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives (directly east of the Temple Mount area). At the beginning of Ezekiel’s vision (Ezek8), he moved gradually into the temple area, starting at the north gate and moving towards the inner court. Now, as the vision draws to a close, Ezekiel's movement is outward in synch with his divine Guide.

AND BEHOLD, THERE WERE TWENTY-FIVE MEN AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE GATE, AND AMONG THEM I SAW JAAZANIAH SON OF AZZUR AND PELATIAH SON OF BENAIAH, LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE. (2Ki25:23) (Ezek 11:13; 22:27; Is1:10,23; Ho5:10)

"Twenty five men" which initially makes you think they are the same 25 who were worshiping the sun in (Ezek 8:16). Most (but not all) commentaries state that they are not the same because in chapter 8 they were most likely Levites (or priests) and more importantly their location was between the porch and the altar whereas the 25 in this vision are designated as the "leaders of the people" and their location is "at the entrance of the gate" and the charge against them is not corrupt worship but corrupt leadership.

HE SAID TO ME SON OF MAN THESE ARE THE MEN WHO DEVISE INIQUITY AND GIVE EVIL ADVICE IN THIS CITY:  (Esther 8:3; Ps2:1,2; 36:4; 52:2; Is30:1; 59:4; Jer5:5; 18:18; Mic2:1,2)

WHO SAY, 'IS NOT THE TIME NEAR TO BUILD HOUSES?: (Ezek 7:7; 12:22,27; Is 5:19; Jer1:11,12; Am6:5)

"Is not the time near to build houses" could be translated one of two ways...
Option 1: "They say things like, 'Let's build more houses. This city is like a cooking pot over a fire, and we are the meat, but at least the pot keeps us from being burned in the fire." (CEV) "They say, 'We will soon be building houses again. The city is like a cooking pot, and we are like the meat in it, but at least it protects us from the fire." (TEV) "They say, 'It's almost time to rebuild homes. This city is a cooking pot, and we're the meat.'" (GWT), "who say, It is not near, let us build houses; she is the pot, and we are the flesh" (LITV) "Who say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we are the flesh" (Webster) "Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh." (KJV) "Shall we not,” they say, “be building houses soon? The city is the kettle, and we are the meat" (NAB) "They say, ‘Will it not soon be time to build houses? This city is a cooking pot, and we are the meat " (NIV) "They say to the people, ‘Is it not a good time to build houses? Our city is like an iron pot. Inside it we will be like meat—safe from all harm" (NLT) "They say, ‘We can make anything happen here. We’re the best. We’re the choice pieces of meat in the soup pot" (MESSAGE)

Option 2: "The time is not near to build houses: this city is the caldron, and we are the flesh" (ASV) "Who say, This is not the time for building houses: this town is the cooking-pot and we are the flesh" (BBE) "who say, It is not the time to build houses: this is the cauldron, and we are the flesh" (Darby) "Who say, 'The time is not near to build houses. This city is the cauldron, and we are the meat.'" (ESV) "They say, "There will be no house-building yet awhile. The city is the cooking pot and we are the meat." (NJB) "they say, 'The time is not near to build houses; this city is the pot, and we are the meat.'" (NRSV) "They say, ‘The time is not near to build houses; the city is a cooking pot and we are the meat in it" (NET) "Who say, [The time] is not near to build houses; this city is the boiling pot and we are the flesh. " (AMP)

As you can see, the translators are "split" on whether this is a statement affirming building houses or advice against building houses. If read as a question as here in the NASB, one gets a hint of their "evil advice".

Dr Charles Ryrie (NASB Ryrie Study Bible) says "These leaders counseled the people to build houses in Jerusalem, which, like a pot, would supposedly protect the inhabitants from Nebuchadnezzar. As prophesied by Ezekiel (v11), quite the opposite would be true." (The Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Translation: 1995. Moody Publishers)

These leaders remind us of those in our day even as Peter warned saying that "in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? (His coming brings judgment on those who habitually follow their lusts just as would occur in Jerusalem) For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." (2Pe 3:4-note)

God had given orders through Jeremiah (Jer 29:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) that the captives would build houses in Babylon because Jerusalem would fall. These leaders were giving lying advice about building homes, in so doing deceiving those left in Jerusalem.

THIS CITY IS THE POT AND WE ARE THE FLESH:  (Ezek 11:7, 8, 9, 10, 11; 24:3-14; Jer1:13)

The meaning of this phrase is difficult to state with certainty but could mean something like the meat or flesh was safe in the pot as it was shielded from the fire. It is as if the leaders were declaring that Jerusalem's inhabitants were secure inside Jerusalem's walls by promulgating a proverb "This city is a cooking pot and we are the meat" (safe inside the "pot")

THEREFORE, PROPHESY AGAINST THEM SON OF MAN, PROPHESY!: (Ezek 3:2-15,17, 18, 19, 20, 21; 20:46,47; 21:2; 25:2; Is 58:1; Ho 6:5; 8:1)

So, Ezekiel, condemn them!" (CEV)

"Now then, denounce them, mortal man" (TEV)

THEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD FELL UPON ME AND HE SAID TO ME: (Ezek 2:2; 3:24,27; 8:1; Nu 11:25,26; 1Sa10:6,10; Acts 10:44; 11:15)

he LORD's Spirit took control of me and told me to tell these leaders" (CEV)

"Spirit...fell upon me" is only used here in Ezekiel. The prophet was enabled to prophesy.

SAY, 'THUS SAYS THE LORD SO YOU THINK, HOUSE OF ISRAEL, FOR I KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS: (Ezek 2:4,5,7; 3:11; Is58:1) (Ezek 28:2; 29:3; 38:11; Ps50:21; Is28:15; Mal3:13,14; Mk 3:22-30; Jas 3:6) (Ezek 38:10; 1Ch28:9; Ps7:9; 139:2,3; Je 6:17; 17:10; Mk 2:8; Jn 2:24; Jn 2:25; 21:17; He4:13; Rev2:23)

I know the devices of your spirit" (Brenton - Eng of Lxx) "This is what you have said, O children of Israel; what comes into your mind is clear to me" (BBE)

Thus have you spoken, O house of Israel, for I know the thoughts of your heart" (DRB)

"People of Israel, I know what you are saying and what you are planning" (TEV)

You are saying these things, nation of Israel. But I know what's going through your mind" (GWT)

So you have said, house of Israel, for I Myself know the elevations of your spirit" (LITV)

THEREFORE, THUS SAYS THE LORD GOD "YOUR SLAIN WHOM YOU HAVE LAID IN THE MIDST OF THE CITY ARE THE FLESH AND THIS CITY IS THE POT BUT I WILL BRING YOU OUT OF IT: (Ezek 24:3-13; Mic3:2,3) (Ezek 3:9, 10, 11; 2 Ki25:18, 19, 20, 21, 22; Je52:24, 25, 26, 27)

THIS CITY WILL NOT BE A POT FOR YOU, NOR WILL YOU BE FLESH IN THE MIDST OF IT, BUT I WILL JUDGE YOU TO THE BORDER OF ISRAEL: (Ezek 11:3,7, 8, 9, 10)

Ezekiel reverses the meaning of the proverb, stating that the city will not be a pot conveying protection but a pot burning with the fires of judgment, and the flesh to those slain in the streets (cf. Ezek 7:23; 22:25)

THUS YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD; FOR YOU HAVE NOT WALKED IN MY STATUTES NOR HAVE YOU EXECUTED MY ORDINANCES: (Ezek 11:21; 20:16,21,24; Lv 26:40; 1Ki 11:33; 2Ki 21:22; Ezra 9:7; Neh 9:34; Ps 78:10; Jer 6:16; Da 9:10)

You will know that I am the LORD is noted twice (v10 and here) in a short space. God makes it quite clear that these leaders will know that He is Jehovah, when His has prophesy comes to pass.