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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nEschatology 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\u2014our personal end times? Do you ever think about these things and ponder the eternity planted in your heart?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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: \u201cHe 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\u201d<\/em> (Ecclesiastes 3:11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n 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.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>). 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Solomon’s Eschatology\u2014Ecclesiastes<\/p>\n\n\n I\u2019m 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<\/a>). But mainly I ponder them with you because it\u2019s wise to consider your ways, and the gift and the value of your earth life often, while you can. Life\u2019s so brief by eternity\u2019s measure, but it\u2019s what you get to take with you into eternity\u2014it’s what you\u2019ve done with your soul (mind, will, emotions, passions, dreams, heart) God has gifted you.* It’s who you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n 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,\u201d \u201csmoke,” 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here We Go\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven\u2026\u201d \u201cWhat 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.\u201d \u201cHe 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.\u201d \u201cI know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one\u2019s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor\u2014it 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.\u201d \u201cHe who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income.\u201d \u201cThere is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt.\u201d \u201cHere is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one\u2019s 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\u201d<\/em> (Ecclesiastes NASB 1995).<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cA good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one\u2019s death is better than the day of one\u2019s 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.\u201d \u201cFor 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\u2014God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him\u201d<\/em> (Ecclesiastes NASB 1995).<\/p>\n\n\n\n See what I mean? I\u2019ve not given you the references, you\u2019ll 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\u2014like the last words of people usually are:<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cRemember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, \u2018I have no delight in them\u2019\u201d <\/em>(Ecclesiastes 12:1). \u201cThe 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\u201d<\/em> (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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, \u201cNever miss a wedding or a funeral!\u201d The LORD\u2019s shalom be yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo Jesus said to them, \u2018For 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’\u201d<\/em> (John 12:35-36).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth\u201d<\/em> (3 John 4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut 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\u201d <\/em>(Jude 20-21).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThus says the Lord,\u2028\u2018Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,\u2028 where the good way is, and walk in it;\u2028 and you will find rest for your souls\u2019\u201d<\/em> \u201cAnd He will be the stability of your times,\u2028 a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge;\u2028 the fear of the Lord is his treasure\u201d<\/em> All photos from South Fork, Colorado, Fall, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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(Jeremiah 6:16a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Isaiah 33:6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n