Monthly Archives: November 2025

Solomon’s Eschatology

Personal Eschatology or Solomon’s Eschatology

Eschatology is the study of end-time things. Where does it all lead? What is the end of life on the planet? For the planet itself, and God’s purposes for humankind, the apex of His creation on Earth? And is there an important personal eschatology—our personal end times? Do you ever think about these things and ponder the eternity planted in your heart?

Our Creator, has a plan for all of these things, and it’s past finding out totally, but not completely. By that I mean what he told us directly in verses like: “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

But then He gave us His amazing Word, the Holy Bible, with enough information about Himself to know Him pretty well, if we want to. And in the same Bible, He gave us a path or pathways for living the best, most fulfilling, and most joyful lives here and now. Many Scriptures like Psalm 23, Psalm 1, and Psalm 121 meet my eyes and heart and I see in part. I see enough connected parts to comprise a beautiful mosaic of a desirable life and plan, but not all of it. This mosaic seems like one-of-a-kind, an original, with exquisite experiences that are pleasant to the mind, the heart, the soul, and all five senses. It’s something akin to “eternity in our hearts” placed there by our Creator, so we would thirst for truth and for Him until we find Him.

All other mosaics are copies. Some are attempts that flatter the original and the Originator with joy and no ill intent. It’s been said, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.” Some are forgeries with plenty of ill intent. Those start with some of the basic elements of the true mosaic, then add other parts meant to deceive and lead people astray into something that is advertised as true and fulfilling, but is meaningless and damning.

Above it all and in it all is the Father of heavenly lights with good gifts coming down out of heaven (James 1:16-18). Amen. Take a look at nature, the sea, the stars, and the seemingly infinite types of plant and animal life. We see it in part, and we understand more of it as we study it. But we don’t really understand how it was created or the extent of it all. We just enjoy it, and have our being within its confines, never ceasing to be touched by a glorious sunrise, or sunset in silent awe, wonder, and soulful peace. So what does this mystery and beauty have to do with the end of our lives? Or how we live our lives?

Solomon’s Eschatology—Ecclesiastes

I’m pondering these things partly because I’m seventy-three, and I’ve had two good friends my age pass on to the next life in recent months. And partly because I have only one or two decades longer to live according to the natural order of things (Psalm 90:10). But mainly I ponder them with you because it’s wise to consider your ways, and the gift and the value of your earth life often, while you can. Life’s so brief by eternity’s measure, but it’s what you get to take with you into eternity—it’s what you’ve done with your soul (mind, will, emotions, passions, dreams, heart) God has gifted you.* It’s who you are.

It’s a humorous dichotomy that the older people get, the more wisdom they have from life experiences and studying the cosmos, history, and their surroundings. But at the same time, their memory and processing ability start to deteriorate or wain, and they’re left in a more childlike state of knowing only what’s most important of what they’ve learned or come to believe. And they’re less able to express it or discuss it, except with those who know similar truth and have walked similar paths, or those who ask pointed questions. This makes a good case for spending time with older people, and children.

Solomon, king of Israel, around 1000 BC, the wisest of the wise saw this dilemma or dichotomy and called it “vanity.” He also called it among other descriptors, “a vapor,” “smoke,” and a “chasing after the wind.” With an excellent mind, coupled with the gift of wisdom from God, and inspiration from the Holy Spirit, Solomon pondered and wrote about men’s individual purposes, experiences, and ends, “under the sun.” Many of his thoughts and insights are recorded for us in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. I’m calling these insights a study of our personal end times, and how to view them. He wrote these truths, and they were preserved for a reason. Apparently, we have a lot of choices to make, and it would be wise to make them with God in mind and our personal end in mind. Which, by the way, will be a new beginning for those who know Jesus by faith, and are known to Him by their faith.

Here We Go…

I can’t be exhaustive here. I will encourage you to read through Proverbs for a few months, only one chapter each day. Then spend some time in silence and solitude reading and pondering Ecclesiastes. I will give you a few glimpses of what I’m talking about below and leave you to your own reading, revelation, and illumination. This should whet your appetite to learn more, and ponder why some of these things are true.

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven…” “What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?  I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.” “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” “I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.” “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income.” “There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt.” “Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart” (Ecclesiastes NASB 1995).

“A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.” “For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. Consider the work of God, for who is able to straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him” (Ecclesiastes NASB 1995).

See what I mean? I’ve not given you the references, you’ll run across them as you read and you can consider the context. May this start a search through your Bible for more light on these important truths and mysteries. I will end my thoughts with how Solomon ended his. His last written words we have are the last chapter of Ecclesiastes. I consider this a good summary of everything before it and what he might consider most salient, condensed, and important—like the last words of people usually are:

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). “The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14).

Godspeed and blessings, with revelation, as you consider your end times, now and often as you journey. For this reason, my good friend Rick West says, “Never miss a wedding or a funeral!” The LORD’s shalom be yours.

“So Jesus said to them, ‘For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light’” (John 12:35-36).

“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (3 John 4).

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life” (Jude 20-21).

“Thus says the Lord,
‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
 where the good way is, and walk in it;
 and you will find rest for your souls’”
(Jeremiah 6:16a).

“And He will be the stability of your times,
 a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;
 the fear of the Lord is his treasure”
(Isaiah 33:6).

All photos from South Fork, Colorado, Fall, 2025

[* My latest book addresses the subject of soul care in some depth and might be of interest to you.]

Scott Weston — Extraordinary Friend

Robert Scott Weston 1951-2025

I’m at the cabin. It’s October 17 and I’m up at 6 o’clock in the morning to listen and read. I have witnessed a magnificent sunrise and spent some time reading my book, God Stays Near, Faith and Flight. I’m thinking about writing something to honor Scott Weston, and the good and beautiful friend he was. I’ve intended to do so as a blog on my laptop, resisting the slower paper and ink method, but now a pen seems the better option. I’m asking the Spirit to help me.


I love Scott Weston. It took a while, because we were quite different in many ways. But we were alike in a few ways—the things we valued most and the things that really matter. He was a regional bank president, living in a world of three-piece suits, board meetings, and business relationships involving millions of dollars. I was an airline pilot and a military pilot who valued time off with family, and in the outdoors with cows, chainsaws, canoes, four wheelers and such.

July 4, 2001 The Farm

My amazing friend and valued mentor, Charles Angel, ten years my senior always said, “The Holy Spirit establishes relationships. Just be looking for them and sensitive and embrace them when they come.”

I don’t recall first meeting Scott, or how we met. I’ll have to ask my wife. But I do remember Scott and Katherine appeared to be radical/normal Christians and wanted to live in a community of the same type folks with the same goals of following Christ. They weren’t raised in Christian homes and became believers in their early marriage after the birth of two of their four children. One unusual synchronicity that caused us to end up in the same community was that they enjoyed listening to a Christian recording artist named Craig Smith before moving from Missouri to Arkansas. Unbeknown to them, Craig happened to be a pastor at our church.


We loved that Scott and Katherine loved the Lord, loved their family, and seemed to be fun-loving people. They learned that we had acquired some acres just out of town and had a small cattle farm. They told us they wanted to do the same thing, asking if we would consider selling them some of our land. We told them we weren’t interested in selling any of our property, but in the spirit of hospitality, care, and genuine Christian community, we would help them look for a place.


I love to see people pursue their dreams and help if I can, but I never thought that was a good idea for these city folks. While wishing them well, smiling, I tried to dissuade them from this dream—mainly of Katherine’s but supported by Scott—telling them about the realities, the cost, and the commitment required of farm animals. But we kept looking with them.

One day I heard in the Spirit, “You should sell Scott and Katherine part of your land.” This was the opposite of everything I thought was wise and wanted to do, so I decided to sit on it a while and seek more confirmation. Yet I suspected it was from the Lord. That very afternoon, Elizabeth came home and said, “I had the craziest thought today, that we should sell Scott and Katherine part of our land.” Well! It gets even better. Before the dust settled on that conversation, and I told Elizabeth what I had heard earlier in the day, the phone rang and Scott asked if he and Katherine could drop by for a visit. “Of course.”


An hour later, there was a knock on our door. They came inside and sat on our couch across the room from us. I said, “You all called this meeting, what’s going on?” They looked at each other, then they looked at us and Scott said, “We just want to ask you one more time if you would consider selling us some of your land?” I looked at Elizabeth, then back at them before saying, “How much land do you want? Where do you want it? And how much do you want to pay for it?”


Before their visit, Elizabeth and I had discussed the obvious synchronicity of what we’d heard that day in our thoughts. We both still didn’t want to sell, but both felt God was wanting us to do it. So we briefly discussed that if they asked again, we’d probably sell up to ten acres, and would probably prefer it to be on the west side of our property, and at whatever price they offered. We both knew the land had been given to us supernaturally, and it belonged to the Lord. We were only the happy stewards of it. Scott quickly and quietly answered my questions in a business- like, humble manner, “We’d like ten acres on the west side of your forty acres where the road comes in. And we’d like to pay a little more than market value for it” quoting a price.

Riding Horses on the Farm


We became neighbors that day and for the next several years our friendship grew and we experienced “life together.” Of course I haven’t the need to tell all of it, nor could I, but three things stand out to me now that point to the beauty and depth of our friendship—coffee time, a European vacation, and a wrecked four wheeler.


The Gift of Friendship and Coffee Time

Scott was one of the busiest, scheduled-up friends I’ve ever had. But nine out of ten times I called to see if he wanted to get coffee he’d say, “When and where?” I thought I was doing him a favor by getting him out of the office to breathe air, but looking back, he was doing me the favor of valuing time together and offering his friendship. His sacrifice and honoring me in this way taught me about friendship in practical, touching ways that still bring me joy and a heartfelt smile.

European Vacation

Notre Dame Paris 2000

Both of our 25th wedding anniversaries were coming up when my wife came to me saying, “Why don’t we celebrate our special day with the Westons in London or Paris?” Shocked and amused by the idea coming from her, I responded with a smile, “Aren’t you supposed to spend your anniversary with your spouse?” “Well yes, but Katherine and I were talking, and they’ve never been to Europe, except when Scott was stationed in England in the Air Force, and we think it would be fun.”


Scott liked the idea. I was flying to London or Paris weekly with American Airlines, so I could plan the trip, and off we went! It was a beautiful time of sharing lives and adventures with a few days in London, a Chunnel ride, and a few days in Paris, where Katherine almost got us kicked out of the Louvre. Our friendship grew and the Westons started making trips to Europe on their own with their children. We all grew from it together, and with the Lord, experiencing adventure, some challenges, and GRACE.

[“GRACE & Scott Weston” to be continued in the following blog. An additional Scott Weston story is recorded in God Stays Near, Faith and Flight, Chapter 4, page 37]

Grace & Scott Weston

Grace and a Wrecked Four Wheeler


Speaking of grace, if I could tell only one story about my friend Scott Weston, it would be this one—it’s outrageous.


Our family had two, very used four wheelers on our little farm that we rode around the place and in the nearby Ozark National Forest. Scott and his family enjoyed these versatile and fun little machines too, and he asked me to recommend one. Soon the family owned a new 300 Suzuki Quad, one of the finest little ATVs ever made.


One beautiful fall day, I borrowed Scott’s almost-new four wheeler to take our pastor’s son Benjamin on a ride in the national forest. After a beautiful day and successful adventure, we were driving home out of the mountains on a steep curving highway, and the unthinkable happened. Going around a curve to our right at about 50 miles per hour, I happened to glance in my rearview mirror and saw Scott’s new, green, pristine four wheeler fly off the trailer and disappear over the embankment and into the trees below. It was a very shocking, sickening, surreal feeling.


I got our truck and 16-foot trailer stopped on the shoulder of the highway. Then Ben and I jogged back up the hill to see what had happened to Scott’s machine. I knew it wasn’t good. It had stopped on its side at the edge of the trees after rolling or tumbling several times down the steep embankment. We turned it over on its wheels and hoped to drive it back up to the trailer, if it would start. But the key was missing. After a brief search, Ben miraculously found it in the tall grass beside the highway. It started and wobbled back to the truck on bent rims and a twisted frame, then climbed the ramp back onto the trailer.

Scott & Grand Kids

I called the service manager at the Suzuki dealership and told her I had a 911 case I was bringing in. She said they would have their triage team ready. I dropped Ben off and headed over there. She came out with a box of tissues for me, and after seeing it wobble off the trailer pronounced it, “Totaled.”


I was taught by my father that whenever you borrowed something, you must return it in as good or better condition than when you borrowed it. I also was taught that people were more important than things. That material possessions were only wood, hay, and stubble—or in this case, steel, rubber, and plastic. I simply had to buy Scott a new four wheeler, after a sincere apology for destroying his. It was only right. It was a good chunk of money, but I would do it, whatever it was.

He was gracious when I told him, and not visibly upset, even though I knew he had come to really like that machine. I told him of my plan to shop for that exact same model, and make sure that it was agreeable to him before I bought it. He nodded his head in agreement.

The Family Loved 4 Wheelers

But when I took Scott to see the four wheeler I found, he said it was fine and then quickly started writing a check for it on the sale manager’s desk. By that time I had my checkbook out and exclaimed, “What are you doing!?” “I’m buying this four wheeler.” “No, you’re not! That’s not right! And not what we agreed!”

By this time, we were bumping each other away from the desk in a scuffle while writing our checks, and knocked a pen holder off of the sales manager’s table, scattering pens and pencils across the floor. “Why don’t one of you buy me a four wheeler?” the sales manager exclaimed, with an incredulous grin on his face.


Scott had a head start and finished writing his check first, even with the scuffling, and handed it to the sales manger. A bit embarrassed by the whole scene, I said, “Well OK, for now, but this is not going to stand! It’s just not right! I ruined your new four wheeler, and I’m going to replace it!” The two of them just smiled at me and shrugged their shoulders as I bent down and started picking up pens off the floor.

A few weeks passed, as I thought about the situation and how I could make Scott take my money. Then one day I was at my parents home, visiting with my brother. I told him the whole story ending with, “And he wants to pay for the four wheeler—for my mistake!?” My brother quickly piped up, “Well, you’re not gonna let him, are you!?” At that moment, some clarity, humility, wonder, and grace flooded over me. It was something that transcends common sense and what’s right. And for the first time, I had the thought, and voiced it to my brother, “I think I am.”

In the Ozark National Forest


Grace is hard to understand, and hard to deal with. I don’t think we really do until it comes our way, face-to-face, or heart-to- heart. Grace and mercy seem connected, but they are distinct—two different things. The best definitions I’ve heard are these. Mercy is not getting something bad that you deserve. Grace is getting something good that you don’t deserve. Grace is more about the giver than the recipient. Scott really wanted to pay the price for my mistake and bless me. I could continue to resist due to pride or what’s right. Or, I could accept his gracious, loving, extraordinary gift, and the heart and mind and soul behind it. Next to the Lord Jesus, Scott taught me and modeled for me the biggest lesson on grace I ever received. It changed me. It opened doors for me that I continue to walk through, and hopefully help others walk through. That is the nature of GRACE. That is the soul of my treasured friend Scott Weston. I miss him.


Last Words


If I were asked to say or read something at Scott’s graveside or celebration-of-life service, it would probably be this:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).


If Scott were to choose or write something as his epitaph, it would be something like John wrote as his motive for writing his Gospel:


“But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).


I guess that’s where Scott learned about GRACE. It changed him, like it changes everyone. And those who know Scott best know it was the most important thing in his life.


Rest in peace, Scott Weston. I’ll see you in the morning. You were a true and beautiful friend, and will be forever. I am blessed.

“Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,

but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6 ESV)


“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)


“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)