Turn to Ecclesiastes 12. Over the past few years, I have looked at this chapter a couple of times. I could not get anywhere with a study that I was trying to work on last night, so I thought that we would look at this chapter again because this chapter is looking right at what is going to happen in just over 100 days. So let us turn to Ecclesiastes 12 and I will read the chapter. Maybe we will be able to see some things in here that we have not seen before. We read in Ecclesiastes 12:1-14:
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
This chapter starts out in Ecclesiastes 12:1 admonishing us:
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
The youth in the Bible represent the strong men. This word particularly applies to the people of God in their prime, those doing the will of God. The youth in the Old Testament were the ones who were chosen or who were elected. The root word for this has been translated as “chosen.” The youth are the ones who went out and fought the battles, which is a picture of those who are doing the work of God. It can also refer to those in the church who had the blessings of God; but God is admonishing us here:
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…
We are to remember our Creator in the days of our youth, while it is the day of salvation.
Then He says:
…while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
On May 21st, these “evil days” are going to begin. God’s people are going to be taken out of this world. There will be no more Gospel and no more salvation. What an incomprehensible and horrible thing to contemplate.
This word “evil” is often used in the Bible to speak of the judgment of God. For example, look at Proverbs 16:4. It says:
JEHOVAH hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The “day of evil” is Judgment Day; but He is telling us now to remember our Creator, to make ourselves right with God, as if we could do this, because Judgment Day is coming and salvation is going to end.
We know how salvation works. We know that this is entirely by the choosing of God and that salvation was atoned for before this creation, and yet all throughout the Bible God commands us to seek Him and to seek His salvation. We will be without excuse if we are not in Christ when this day comes.
So, again, He says in Ecclesiastes 12:1:
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
This is referring to the 153 days from May 21st to October 21st when salvation has been cut off. He refers to this as “years” here, but I do not have any trouble with this.
Turn to Joel 2. Joel 2:1-2 starts out:
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of JEHOVAH cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
He is referring to eternity here, and yet He is speaking of it as if it is measured in time. God speaks this way in the Bible.
Another passage is in Isaiah 65 where He is speaking of the new heavens and the new earth. We read in Isaiah 65:17-20:
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
He is speaking in terms of years, and yet He is referring to eternity where time is not measured.
I believe this is why we find the word “years” in Ecclesiastes 12:1. God is telling us to make our calling and election sure before:
…the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
The pleasure of a child of God is the Lord Jesus Christ and the Gospel.
Look at Psalm 1. Psalm 1:1-2 starts out:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight…
This is the same word as “pleasure.”
So we are to make our peace with God before those days come when it will be said, as we read in Ecclesiastes 12:1:
…I have no pleasure in them;
This is because there will be no salvation; there will be no Christ.
Psalm 1:2 says again:
But his delight [or pleasure] is in the law of JEHOVAH; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Look at Psalm 111. Psalm 111:1-2 starts out:
Praise ye JEHOVAH. I will praise JEHOVAH with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of JEHOVAH are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
This is the “pleasure” spoken of in Ecclesiastes 12:1. We are to make our calling and election sure and we are to seek the Lord before:
…the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
Then Ecclesiastes 12:2 says:
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
Whenever we read in the Bible of the sun or the moon or the stars being darkened, it is speaking of Judgment Day when there will be no Gospel.
Over the years, we have read Mathew 24:29 over and over again. Matthew 24:29 says:
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
In the Bible, the sun often spiritually represents Christ. In the book of Malachi, He is called “the Sun of righteousness.” But, again, when this day comes, there will be no more Christ for this creation. “The moon shall not give her light,” and God speaks of the moon in the Bible as a representation of the Law of God.
Look at Isaiah 13. We read in Isaiah 13:9-10:
Behold, the day of JEHOVAH cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
There are many, many places in the Bible that speak of the sun being darkened, the moon not giving her light, and the stars not shining.
The stars are a representation of the true believers who bring the Gospel. This is going to be cut off because God’s people are going to be taken up. There will be no Gospel in this world at that time. What a horrible thought.
Let us go on in Ecclesiastes 12. Again, it says in Ecclesiastes 12:2:
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
This does not seem to make sense. Usually when the clouds come, then the rain comes; but, again, I believe that this is speaking spiritually of Judgment Day. Ever since the creation of this earth, God has been bringing the Gospel and He likens it to rain spiritually.
One place that we know this from is found in Isaiah 55:10-11:
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
So we can see how God likens the Gospel to the rain; but here in Ecclesiastes 12:2, it speaks of the clouds returning “after the rain.”
We have recently heard Mr. Camping teaching how the clouds relate to God in Judgment. It says in Revelation 1, “Behold, he cometh with clouds”; and it says in Revelation 10:1:
And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
When we read of Him coming in the clouds, the Bible is speaking of the Lord coming in judgment. God is often associated with being in the cloud, which is actually speaking of the Word of God as it judges mankind.
This is what Ecclesiastes 12:2 is saying where He refers to the clouds returning. God returns in judgment when this “rain” ends, the rain of the Gospel.
Then Ecclesiastes 12:3 says:
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few…
Who are “the keepers of the house”? They are those to whom God has entrusted the Gospel.
Now that the church has become apostate, we have been commanded to leave the church; and yet those in the churches are “the keepers of the house.” They are going to understand that they are under the wrath of God and they are going to be terrified as they see “those things which are coming on the earth.”
Look at Zechariah 3. This is the passage about Joshua standing before the Lord “clothed with filthy garments” with Satan at his right hand protesting. After this, we read in Zechariah 3:6-7:
And the angel of JEHOVAH protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith JEHOVAH of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
Those who are “the keepers of the house” are like the tribe of Levi. The tribe of Levi was, in one sense, a picture of all of the true believers. The keeping of the house and ministering in the tabernacle and in the temple was assigned strictly to the house of Levi. This tribe was a picture of the New Testament church, the pastors and the elders and the teachers, all of those who had rule or authority in the church. They are “the keepers of the house,” but the day is going to come when “the keepers of the house” are going to be trembling.
Ecclesiastes 12:3 continues:
…and the strong men shall bow themselves…
“Strong men” is sometimes translated as “men of valour” or “men of wealth” or “men of strength.” Again, this is referring to those who have corporately been assigned the wealth of the Word of God. Again, they are the keepers of it, and yet judgment is coming upon them and they are going to be trembling in fear. This will cause them to “bow themselves.”
This word “bow” can mean “overthrown” or “turneth upside down,” as we read in Psalm 146:9. Psalm 146:9 says:
JEHOVAH preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
This is the same word for “bow” in Ecclesiastes 12:3. Again, this speaks of being overthrown in judgment.
Ecclesiastes 12:3 says again:
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves…
They will be overturned. It continues:
…and the grinders cease because they are few…
Grinding has to do with grinding grain between the millstones so that flour might be made. If you search this out in the Bible, this is actually a figure of doing the work of the Gospel. This is referring to a time when the sound of the Gospel is ceasing because the Gospel will no longer be going out.
It says again:
…the grinders cease because they are few…
This word “few” is translated as “diminished” in other places in the Bible. This is all speaking of judgment on God’s people. Here, it is looking at the corporate church, to those who should have been bringing the Word of God and doing the work of getting the Gospel out.
Ecclesiastes 12:3 says again:
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble…
This will be May 21st when judgment begins. It continues:
…and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
We normally install windows in houses for light. In the Bible, “window” is often used as an access to Heaven. When the flood began in Genesis 7, it speaks of how “the windows of heaven were opened.”
God also uses the word “windows” in Malachi 3. Malachi 3:10 says:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…
We see here a commandment to “bring [our] tithes into the storehouse.” Our “tithes” are actually a representation of the true believers. As we work to get the Gospel out, it is as if we are bringing in God’s people. We are vessels who carry the Word of God. In doing so, we are bringing people “into the storehouse.” The “tithes” represent this.
Turn to Isaiah 66:20, which also tells us this. This is speaking of the Gentiles being brought in. Isaiah 66:20 says:
And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto JEHOVAH out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith JEHOVAH, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of JEHOVAH.
As God’s people are doing His work by getting tracts out or putting these billboards up or any of these other things that they are doing to get the Word out, they are being used of God to bring the tithes in, to bring believers into His storehouse.
So Malachi 3:10 says:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith JEHOVAH of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven…
Here is that same word “windows” again. It continues:
…if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
But here in Ecclesiastes 12:3, the Gospel is ending. It says:
…and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
This is because there is no longer any light. The Gospel has ended. There are four different figures just in this one verse that speak of how the Gospel is going to come to an end.
This theme continues in the next verse, Ecclesiastes 12:4:
And the doors shall be shut in the streets…
Who is the “door”? Christ is the door. Again, the Gospel will be cut off. This word for “streets” is often translated as “way” in the Bible, but the door shall be shut in the streets. It continues:
…when the sound of the grinding is low…
Again, “the sound of grinding” is made as wheat is being ground into flour, which is a picture of doing the work of the Gospel; but now “the sound of the grinding is low.”
Then we read in the second part of Ecclesiastes 12:4:
…and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
“He shall rise up.” This is speaking of God in judgment. He refers to Himself in many places in the Bible as being asleep and then awakening to judgment.
Look at Psalm 7. Psalm 7:6 says:
Arise, O JEHOVAH, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
This is the desire of all true believers. It is not that vengeance might be brought on these evil people around us, but that the Lord’s will might be done in judgment. In other places in the Bible, He also speaks as if He is sleeping and He is going to awaken to judgment.
So we read again in Ecclesiastes 12:4:
…he shall rise up at the voice of the bird…
This word for bird denotes a small, defenseless bird, like a swallow or a sparrow, which should be the characteristic of a true believer. We are like a small and harmless animal that really needs God as his defense and that cries to God for His help.
Look at Psalm 102. This particular word for bird was for a clean bird that could be offered in a sacrifice. It is a picture of the true believers. We read in Psalm 102:7-13:
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. But thou, O JEHOVAH, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
There are also other places in the Bible where this word for bird is used. This is speaking of the true believer.
This reminds me of the account in Luke 18 of the woman and the unjust judge. Luke 18:1-7 says:
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
This verse is saying a lot when it says that He “bear long with them.” In His longsuffering, He is even bearing long with us; but He is finally going to avenge His own elect when He comes, and they are crying “day and night unto him” for His vengeance to come. Though, again, we are not wishing for vengeance on those around us, because this is where we came from. We simply want the Lord’s will to be done in judgment. This is like those “under the altar” in Revelation who are asking, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”
Returning to Ecclesiastes 12, it continues speaking of the same thing in the next verse. We read in Ecclesiastes 12:5:
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high…
In the book of Luke, we read about how mankind is going to be terrified by the things that will be going on on this earth. This word “high” means exalted and this is speaking of God.
Look at Ecclesiastes 5. Ecclesiastes 5:8 says:
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
This is speaking of how God is exalted and high.
In Ecclesiastes 12:5, it says that there is going to be a time when:
…they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish…
Some of us may be familiar with Numbers 17. This is when God told Moses to tell the Israelites that one prince from each of the twelve tribes was to take a rod, a piece of a tree branch. After their rebellion in the wilderness, God was going to show the Israelites who His chosen people were. We know that Aaron’s rod budded. Aaron was of the tribe of Levi. He was the first high priest. Aaron’s rod budding was a figure of those who would be chosen to be God’s people. Again, Aaron was of the tribe of Levi.
So the almond tree is speaking of God’s corporate people, those in the church, but now we read in this verse:
…and the almond tree shall flourish…
But the almond tree at this time is not going to flourish, because we are reading of how judgment will come on the church; so what does this mean? Actually, this Hebrew word for “flourish” is used about twenty-five times in the Old Testament. Outside of this verse, it is never translated as “flourish”; it is most often translated as “provoke” or “blaspheme.”
Look at Isaiah 52. I guess that the King James’ translators just could not understand how “the almond tree” could “blaspheme” or “provoke.” We read in Isaiah 52:5:
Now therefore, what have I here, saith JEHOVAH, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith JEHOVAH; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
This is that same Hebrew word. It means “to blaspheme,” not “to flourish,” which fits in perfectly with what the rest of Ecclesiastes 12 is saying. It also fits in perfectly with what we understand about the 153 days as God has opened our eyes to “time and judgment.” Those in the church are not going to be repenting. During that time, they are still going to be blaspheming and cursing God once they realize that they have not been raptured and that they are not God’s people. It is just a horrible thing to contemplate that “the almond tree” is going to blaspheme God in that day.
Let us read Ecclesiastes 12:5 again. It says:
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish [or blaspheme, or abhor, or contemn, or provoke], and the grasshopper shall be a burden…
This word for “grasshopper” can also be translated as “locust.” All throughout the Bible, grasshoppers are usually associated with a plague, like they were in Egypt. In Revelation, we also read how locusts at that time will be a plague. Again, everything is fitting right in.
It continues:
…the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail…
The desire of a true believer, of a child of God, is the Lord Jesus and the truth of the Gospel, but this desire will fail:
…because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
This phrase “man goeth to his long home” is actually referring to eternity. “The mourners go about the streets” because there is mourning.
Look at Job 34:13-15. This is Elihu speaking about God. It says:
Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
In other words, the spirit of every person who ever existed is in the hands of God. This is what this is saying.
In Ecclesiastes 12:7, we read:
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
We always need to speak of the sovereignty of God and give all of the glory to God.
In Ecclesiastes 12:6, we read:
Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
This is continuing on along the same vein. The Gospel has ended. “The silver cord” speaks of the Gospel.
Look at Psalm 12. Psalm 12:6 says:
The words of JEHOVAH are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
At that time, the silver cord is going to be broken.
Look at Hosea 11. In Hosea 11:3-4, we read:
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
Who is this “man”? This is speaking of the cords of Christ, of the Gospel.
It says again in Hosea 11:4:
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
But this is speaking of the rebellion of the children of Israel.
So the silver cord is loosed in Ecclesiastes 12:6, which is referring to the Gospel being cut off. Ecclesiastes 12:6 continues:
…the golden bowl be broken…
There were bowls on the lamp stand that we read about in Zechariah that held oil. Again, this was a figure of the Gospel.
It continues:
…or the pitcher be broken at the fountain…
The Israelites got their water from fountains or from cisterns or from streams, but now the pitcher is broken. Again, this is a picture of the Gospel being cut off.
It continues:
…or the wheel broken at the cistern.
A cistern was a pit hewn out in rock that would catch rain water. I do not know this for sure, but on the deeper cisterns they probably had some kind of wheel that would allow them to lower a bucket, like a well that you see on an old farm; but now this wheel is broken at the cistern. Again, the water of the Gospel is not available.
So over and over again, God is just driving this home in this chapter. How many times have we read figures in these verses of the Gospel being cut off?
Then in Ecclesiastes 12:7, God says:
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
We read in Genesis that we are formed out of the dust of the earth. He has given us our spirit and it is in His hands.
Ecclesiastes 12:8 then says:
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
This is the theme of the whole book of Ecclesiastes. All of the pursuits of man in this world are vanity. Whatever does not glorify God is vanity.
Then Ecclesiastes 12:9 says:
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge…
We are still in the day of salvation. The Word of God is still going out. “Knowledge” is pointing to the Word of God.
It continues:
…yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
Again, this is speaking of His Word.
Ecclesiastes 12:10 says:
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
This is also speaking of His Word.
Then Ecclesiastes 12:11 says:
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
The “words of the wise,” the Bible, “are as goads.”
Acts 9 speaks about the conversion of Paul. The Lord said to Paul at that time, “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Let us read this. Paul is on his way to Damascus to bring Christians back to be beaten, killed, or imprisoned. We read in Acts 9:3-5:
And as he [the Apostle Paul] journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
This is the New Testament word for the word “goads.” These were long sharpened sticks. When a farm animal became stubborn, they would get poked with one of these goads. God likens “the words of the wise,” His Word, to these goads. He told Paul that in his rebellion he was kicking against the goads. He was resisting the true Word of God.
So Ecclesiastes 12:11 says again:
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
He is likening the Word of God to nails, “which are given from one shepherd.” Of course, this is referring to the Lord.
Look at Isaiah 22. This is speaking of Christ. We read in Isaiah 22:22-23:
And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 says again:
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
Then Ecclesiastes 12:12 says:
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Then it says in Ecclesiastes 12:13:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter…
This could be the bottom line of the whole Bible; but throughout the whole book of Ecclesiastes especially, Solomon is examining the vain pursuits of man. He is saying that it is all vanity and emptiness. We are to glorify God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says again:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter…
This word “matter” is Strong’s #H1697. It is the Hebrew word dabar, which is the word for “word.”
So He says:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter…
Or the issue, the subject; it is often translated as “thing.” This is referring to the Word of God.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Then Ecclesiastes 12 concludes in Ecclesiastes 12:14, which says:
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Chapters like this are just becoming more and more clear as God continues to open up His Word to us as we approach the end.
Ecclesiastes 12:9 says again:
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge…
He teaches us through His Word. Judgment is coming. The proofs are just overwhelming. We have to attempt to prepare ourselves. We have to now remember our Creator “in the days of thy youth.”
We know that we cannot do this because salvation does not work this way, but all throughout the Bible we have verses like what we read in Isaiah 45:22. Isaiah 45:20-25 says:
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I JEHOVAH? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in JEHOVAH have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In JEHOVAH shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
We read in other places in the Bible that every knee is going to bow and that every tongue shall swear that Jesus is Lord. We know that this is spiritual because we know that there is not going to be a resurrection to any kind of life for those who have died, for the unsaved; but when God’s people are taken up, this is going to be a judgment against them. In this way, this will be a confession to truth and that God is Lord of all.
In His mercy, it is still the day of salvation. All throughout the Bible, we read verses like what we read in Isaiah 55:6-7:
Seek ye JEHOVAH while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto JEHOVAH, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
God says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” Verses like this are all throughout the Bible.
Look at Psalm 50:14-15. This says:
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Again, in His mercy, it is still the day of salvation. He has given us the privilege of being able to go to Him in prayer constantly and simply beseech Him for His mercy. To God be the glory.
We will stop here.