Discuss Ecclesiastes 3 Page 2

Dear "Robert DeHaan", in peace. You're probably not the only one who's becoming a TV slave these days. I myself try to do what the Lord expects of me. Read and pray for all people, rulers, kings and Israel, peace be upon Jerusalem. And you probably do too.

Everything takes its time, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Even though we are retired, time is short. It goes so fast during the day, suddenly one has passed, the month has passed, the year has passed. But i think we should comfort ourselves with: Romans 1:16-17 for example. Then i can thank the Lord that. That time is over. Young people's hustle and bustle and think of everything they should have and done.

See in the conscience, is it good? All good hopefully. But i wish i could spend all my time with the Lord. It will be as our dear Paul says, Romans 7:19

Then it's good to come here on the web and know we have someone who has it like us. Pray and be present. There is always something. Witness outside standing, as soon as i get an opportunity in time and out of time. 2 Timothy 4:2 and continue to pray. Ill think it is a service, and could sit back and be the one present. Always ready and reach out a hand, in Jesus name right? That is the hope we have, to be enveloped in the love of God in Jesus Christ now and forever.

Stand strong brother and if i cant see u in this life. I see u in next. God bless us in Jesus name, Love u in Christ.

Many sections of the Bible are beautiful to read & take in. This chapter is one of them.Everything has a season. Love & peace ,hate & war.It can be the best of times or the worst of times, our God will see us through. He is with us ALWAYS ! He can rejoice with us & He can console us ! Blessings to all

In 2 Kings 20 and Isaiah 26:6 Hezekiah was granted 15 extra years because of his plea AFTER the prophet declared that he was about to die. Ecclesiastes 3:2 states that there is a time to be born and a time to die. As with anything else; there are predetermined times and seasons which the Lord has established. Scripture clearly demonstrates that through prayer and mediation; which ultimately involves Christ and His mercy, that judgment can be forestalled for entire nations. Moses had to react quickly to intervene plagues as well as David in scripture (in his case due to his own mistake in the instance of taking the census to determine his own strength which involved a pride issue rather than trust in God alone). Ultimately; in fact Christ intercedes for all of us who were under the wrath of God lost in sins. All His sheep will live on this earth until they are found; as salvation only can occur while we are yet alive. God knows also all the things men will do to shorten their lives; whether it is by sins damaging to the flesh; or things which incur curses of God such as false worship. He knows when someone like Cain will murder his brother. Same goes for natural disasters and any other premature cause of death. In fact; scientifically there is still not full undestanding what causes death. There is certainly something to someone like Moses who was still in his full strength until death; although the one mistake of striking the rock in anger did not allow him to enter the Promised Land; and quite possibly live longer than he did.

Those who are spiritually dead are that way whether still alive in the flesh or not. All the temporary benefits of this life in the flesh; of course are then over for the lost; and they face judgment and condemnation. Praise the Lord that we can bypass that 2nd death! May we not be as some Corinthians who perished prematurely not taking communion with the right mindset.

Thank you Jesse! We are free because of the Brave!

Matthew 10:34, Romans 8:38-39, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11,

Genesis 3:24, 1Chronicles 21, 1Chronicles 24:16, Exodus 32:27, read in context Exodus 32, Leviticus 26, Numbers 22, Deuteronomy 13:15, Deuteronomy 20:13, Deuteronomy 32, Jeremiah 50:35-37, Amos 1:11, Amos 9:4-15,

Joshua 5:10-15 continues Joshua 6,

1Samuel 15,

2Kings 6, note 2Kings 6:22, 2Chronicles 23:21, Nehemiah 4, Esther 9, Jeremiah 43:11, Hosea 2:18, Micah 4:3,

Hope these encourage

VERSES ON MODERATION. Jesus practiced moderation.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

1 Corinthians 6:12 - All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of [excesses of anything]

Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is EXCESS; but be filled with the Spirit;

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [over consumption=poor health]

1 Timothy 4:2-5 - Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Philippians 4:5 - Let your MODERATION be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

1 Timothy 5:23 - Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. (This was a stomach remedy; not a reason to party.)

1 Timothy 3:8 - Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Comment: anger creates cortisol in the blood, and it kills people.

Almost everyone knows these things. The only way I've found to fight back, is to not even bring stuff into the house. God created everything to give us life and health.

I drink water until my brain sends the signal I am "full". It turns off that screaming. Try it.

Brother Chris, you are correct, Christ CHOOSES.

It's his time frame and his works.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every PURPOSE under the heaven.

God Bless You!

Ecclesiastes 3:14. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

God bless.

My belief Dotha, is that they return back to the earth. Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 seems to spell this out; keeping in mind that the writer is speaking generally about the flesh of man & beast that go the same way: back to dust.

However, he writes, "Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?". This can be understood in various ways, but I feel that it speaks of the eternality of the human spirit (that they return to God Who judges men), whereas the life of the animal perishes in the ground, holding no accountability before its Maker. Some believe that our pets will also go to Heaven, but I don't find any Scripture to support that belief; and even if they do go, will that include all other animals in the world & even the smallest living organism created by God? I suppose one day we'll know for sure.

This subject has been hotly contested and I just had a member of my small group take that stance this week. The fact that God is said to put "eternity" in men's hearts surely shows that there is a concept of it once we are at a certain age. ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). We also have Stephen who right before he died saw Christ standing on His throne; then he "fell asleep." Acts 7:60. We have the great "cloud of witnesses" of Hebrews 11; those under the throne who have been martyred ( Rev. 6:9-11); David's commentary about his son dying ( 2 Sam. 12:23) where he says that his son can't come to him but he shall go to see him (after death); the appearance of Moses and Elijah (although Elijah was translated) at the transfiguration; and verses about Sheol. Jesus has the parable about Lazarus and the rich man ( Luke 16:19-31) about the fate of O.T. people in both sections of Sheol; and the captivity being made captive ( Eph. 4:8 also prophesied in Psalm 68:18; Jesus promising the thief on the cross that today he would be in paradise ( Luke 23:43); and that would be followed by many saints coming out of their graves after the Resurrection ( Matthew 27:52-53). We also have Hebrews 9:27 which says man is destined to die once; then face the judgment.

There are many other confirming verses. We must keep in mind that when the word "qeber" is used defining the grave; and a person ceasing to exist it is the body. Sheol; however is the land of the dead. We must also keep in mind that the spirits of just men made perfect ( Heb. 12:23) would start with Christ the first of the firstfruits; so to speak. God is not the God of the dead but the living ( Luke 20:38). John 8:56 says that Abraham longed to see the day HE SAW IT AND REJOICED. We have Paul's vision of things unspeakable whether in the flesh or not he didn't know ( 2 Cor. 12:2). Finally; John's vision in Revelation literally saw the future.

The biggest issue is WHY people think soul sleep exists. It concerns me.

I wrote this yesterday. S

Genesis 2:7

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a LIVING SOUL.

Ecclesiastes 3:18-21

I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?

Job 12:7-10 But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

***In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of ALL mankind.***

Ecclesiastes 12:7

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Everything returns to dust upon death. The spirits return to God. (Immediately)

Genesis 2:7

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a LIVING SOUL.

Ecclesiastes 3:18-21

I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?

Job 35:11 Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?

Job 12:7-10 But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

** Ecclesiastes 12:7

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and THE SPIRIT returns to God who gave it.

comment: Everything returns to dust upon death. The spirits return to God. [ there will be animals and birds in heaven]

Sheila, it's all about believing the words of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:2 A time to be born, an a time to die .....

God has preordained for each of us our lot and the time it happens, therefore we can rest in him that all will end in perfection.

It should be noted that "accepting" Jesus is something the demons do according to James (and rather sarcastically at that). He is feared among them for His authority; but not worshipped as they gave up their rightful place through rebellion that they were created for. Christ is Lord over all creation; as all will bow down before Him. ( Isaiah 45:23). In terms of Savior; all those who are called are chosen. This is in a sense Him "accepting us" as He does into the beloved ( Ephesians 1:6). Even repentance is a gift according to other verses in Acts 11:18 for one example.

If we HAVE heard of Christ; then we can either worship Him and fall on our knees; or reject Him. This is how man understands God based on whether the Holy Spirit has truly done a work in him. Often; though we don't read John 3:16 as something beyond a one time act; it is worded that way though as a continual ongoing process. A true believer; according to Romans goes on to be glorified ( Romans 8:30). Time is infinite with God's perspective; as many things were decided before the foundation of the world. We can see this in Revelation; as well as all will worship the Beast not written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world ( Rev. 13:8).

If we haven't heard of Him; then surely God will send a dream; vision or missionary as evidenced by many Muslims and others in the world today. Abraham was called and sent away from his pagan origins to the land of Promise by the Lord.

If we truly seek Him; there may be a process but we will find the truth. Romans 1 and Psalm 19 make man without excuse; as clearly in the Creation evidence of Him is seen. In all that we see how short we are of His glory; a tattered fallen Creation; and our need for rescue from inevitable physical death as well as begin to see a righteousness that we cannot obtain or reach in our fleshy nature. Ecclesiastes also states how God has put "eternity in their hearts." ( Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Ecclesiastes 3:21 indicates that the soul (or breath) of an animal descents downward to the earth; whereas of man it ascends upward (as man dies once and goes to judgment Heb. 9:27). This is; as far as I can see the only verse that indicates what happens after an animal dies.

One could infer that with "all creation travailing" ( Romans 8:22) that death has caused all of His creation; designed to live eternally to be interrupted from that purpose. There is no specific verse that would indicate a Resurrection of an animal; but with a new heaven and earth it certainly can't be ruled out.

Humans; as the scriptures show were created with "eternity in their hearts." ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). We also have some understanding of good and evil; hence unlike animals we are sinners (see Romans 1; Psalm 19). With Christ; we have His Spirit living in us; and praise God He will never leave nor forsake us. Without Christ; as the Psalms state we are as brute beasts; and we surely have no hope.

God did; however allow the serpent in the garden to be used as a conduit for Satan. This apparently caused the species to have to crawl in the dirt rather than stand upright after that event. It would seem somehow that the serpent itself was cursed as though it had some affinity for evil. That raises questions I can't fully answer. The case of Balaam and the talking donkey in Numbers 22 shows how an animal spoke; and surely showed proper reverence for God; as well as showing how an animal can see into the spiritual dimension when man is too dumb and blinded himself to do this. There is another example in Kings where a lion stood next to a donkey after mauling the disobedient prophet. There were also verses where lions were kept from mauling David; but afterwards God had them maul His enemies. God surely provides as He does for the birds in their great feast in Armageddon; even creatures in the burning fringes of hell in other verses. There is a master plan for all creation.

Ecclesiastes 3:21

Ecclesiastes 3:21

Paul talked about being taken to the 3rd heaven in his vision or actually being taken he said he did not know but he saw heaven and describes as the 3rd heaven. Jesus told the thief today you shall be with me in paradise. Some say the air from the earth to the atmosphere is the 1st heaven from the atmosphere to heaven is the 2nd and beyond that is the 3rd heaven. The Catholic's believe in purgatory, and some equate paradise with that as being the same. We know upon Christ return the dead in Christ will be raised from the dead but so will the lost souls as well. Do we go to heaven when we die we know our bodies don't but what about our sours and our spirit? The belief is our spirit that God breathed into Adam that we all have that gives us life returns to God, but our soul which is us sleeps and the Bible often refers to death as sleep in both the old and new testaments. Genesis 1:8And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. look at verses 6&7 6And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

7And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. the firmament he called heaven? So if you go beyond Heaven you'll find water? notice Heaven is capitalized a place.

Psalms 49:15

"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah." implies our soul is in the grave. Ecclesiastes 9:10

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

Psalms 30:3

"O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit."

Ecclesiastes 3:21

"Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?"

That's all I got,

King James Version (KJV)

I hope these are helpful Genesis 6:3, Job 14:14, 1Peter 4:2,

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,

Get a companion Bible,.. or a good king James an a strongs concordance,.. study, an pray always ask him ,..

It appears so Denny, that the word "eternity" would better fit & indeed, is directly translated from the Hebrew ('olam'): long duration, antiquity, ages.

Yet, when I think further on this verse & why the translators chose to use the word, 'world', I sense that consideration was given to the preceeding verses (i.e. vv 1-10), of the endless aspects & experiences of life, both good & bad. That God "hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."

This might possibly indicate that man is not only confined to the endless cycle of life's encounters (as part of being in the 'world'), but also signifying the hunger & anticipation also arising in our hearts: that God having planned something better for us, a break from this cycle, when we might learn the reason for our confinement to these limitations & why God had chosen not to reveal all His Secrets to us. Our sin no doubt played a major part in what we experience now & the withholding of what ought to have been given to us for our full enjoyment.

Of course, now being in Christ & by His Coming to Earth, the miracle of rebirth, the bringing together of Jew & Gentile into one Body, the power to live beyond our circumstances, & the glories of eternity, are now the joyful possession & anticipation of those found in the Beloved. Indeed, God has "made everything beautiful in His Time", & only after time as we know it, ends, will we know the fulness of that beauty reserved for His children.

Thank you for that great question brother, which should prompt us to ponder further with the Spirit's Help, to give us more knowledge & joy in anticipation.

Hiya Denny GM....Read Ezekiel 36 : 23 thru 31 .....I will give them a new heart and a new spirit etc....The Original Text cd not be better then this....Happy Reading Denny

Anyone know why Ecclesiastes 3:11 translates to "...also he hath set the 'world' in their heart,..." while other translations translates to "...also he hath set 'eternity' in their heart,..." which makes better sense. I mean, this chapter is about ability of humans to comprehend eternity, our existence is the middle of creation and our ability to reason and recognize good and evil compared to other animals on this planet.

I would love to know what's in the original text and how it got translation into this banal meaning in KJV.

Thank you King of kings

Sister GiGi, Jesus always had to take the disciple aside and explain the parables to them, because it's NOT GIVEN to the multitudes. When he was with them in Matthew 5 it was only him and the 12, no multitude.

This is the problem today, Jesus is ONLY calling out those CHOSEN to be priest in the coming kingdom on earth. Man doesn't believe this. He takes you, the called out, aside and teaches you, not the multitudes.

God is going to follow the shadow of the Old Testament. FIRST Passover, SECOND Feast of the weeks or feast of firstfruits (Pentecost) and LAST, feast of the ingathering (final harvest). A FEW are being called and chosen now to be labours in the final harvest. Only the wheat and rye were first ripe and ready to harvest at the feast of weeks (Pentecost)(we are still in the feast of the weeks). All the rest of the harvest weren't mature until the feast of ingathering.

Zechariah 12:7 The Lord shall also save the tents of Judah FIRST.....

The New covenant PRIESTHOOD is out of the house of Judah, the Old covenant priesthood was of the house of Levi.

Everything that happened in the old will happen in the new.

Ecclesiastes 3:15 That which hath been IS NOW; and that WHICH IS TO BE hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

God Bless us as we mature in the WORD.

That's a very good question, Barbara. Maybe you'll get other thoughts expressed here, but I tend to think that even though animals haven't sinned, indeed they cannot sin, they can still be affected by the general corruption that has taken place all over the world. Why would some animals want to kill other animals & humans? I don't believe that in the beginning this was ever the norm. Why does the Earth suffer such horrendous storms, earthquakes & famines? Again, I think that all these have come about because of Satan's presence, both influencing man to sin & the many tragedies we see now. Another thought is, that it's possible that God always intended animals to age & die as they do not bear the Image of God not having the capacity to be ministered & moved by His Holy Spirit ( Ecclesiastes 3:21). But these are just my thoughts - others may have some more useful things to share.

I've had it explained to me that it was finished when Noah finished it, "that GOD couldn't move until Noah finished it" that "GOD's timing isn't man's timing. He waits sometimes for completion of events not like world thinks". That significance is amazing to consider. Genesis 6:22,

Daniel 7:22, Galatians 4:22, Ecclesiastes 3:1-17, Daniel 7:25, Exodus 9:16-19, Hebrews 9:8-10, Psalms 105:17-19, Micah 5:2-4, seems to be significant even in future Luke 16:16,

Hope that's helpful

Brother Rick, creation was not made spiritually evil, thy were made without KNOWLEDGE.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 ...also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

They had to eat of the TREE OF KNOWLEDGE (of good and evil). And God said, Behold, thy have become like one of us, they must have KNOWLEDGE (of good and evil) to be like God. God made sure they would eat of the TREE OF KNOWLEDGE by making creation subject to vanity.

Romans 8:20 For the creature was MADE subject to vanity, NOT WILLINGLY, but by reason (PURPOSE) of him who hath subjected the same in hope.

Sister Sacha, man is materialistic because:

Ecclesiastes 3:11 ....also he (GOD) has set the world (materialism) in their heart ....

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who worketh in you (in man) both to will and to do his good pleasure.

Revelation 7:1

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Philippians 2:10

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Isaiah 37:16

O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.

Genesis 2:4

These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

Psalms 19:1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

John 1:3 - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Romans 1:20 - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Genesis 2:1

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

Comment by Mishael: I pray for angels to guard the 4 corners of my home. I have never had any demonic manifestations for 36 years. God gave us DOMINION; and Jesus gives us HIS AUTHORITY to to stop satanic activity immediately.

I think Space dot com slash NASA has the best photos.

Bea 2 questions

1- what happened to all the bodies of the the 1000's that died in biblical battles?

2- if Abraham lived 175 yrs. and Sarah 127, why were their bodies considered too old to produce or bear a child?

You are replying to a comment by "Bea"

Here's some scriptures:

1) Ecclesiastes 3:19,20

2) James 4:13, 14; Isaiah 43:13

(old age causes lost of strength and many other issues. weak body parts etc.

in Sarah's case, she gave birth to many children with the help

of God himself Psalm 83:18)

Hope this answers your question.

please let me know. - Prov. 3:27