Solomon’s Eschatology | A Friend of the King

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.* That’s who you are.

It’s a humorous dichotomy that the older one gets, 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 mostly unable 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).

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