Ecclesiastes - Quotes from GOOD NEWS BIBLE
羲堁极郤Hi Ray and fellow Students,
?
Last Thursday you, Ray, asked the Group whether or not it believed King
Solomon (The Preacher) will make it to Heaven or not.? I was one of those
who believe he did not repent, nor did he find peace, nor find God (or The Lord)
and died a bitter, albeit very knowledgeable and rich man.? My
reasons:
?
I didn＊t hear anything said that the Preacher gave thanks to God, or thanks
to anyone for that matter.? Nor did I hear that he received joy in giving 每
his only happiness was through ※living the high life§.? In fact, in giving
Advice to Young People starting in Chapter 11 at verse 9:? Enjoy your
youth.? Be happy while you are still young.? Do what you want
to do, and follow your heart＊s desire. But remember that God is going
to judge you for whatever you do.? ...... you aren＊t going to be young very
long.? So ※remember§ your Creator while you are still young, before those
dismal days and years come when you will say ※I don＊t enjoy life§.
?
He then proceeds to go on and on about the dismal reality of Old Age
quoting that ※..... and all desire will have gone§.? Not a word here about
being glad in the Lord, or finding joy in loving God.? ALL the way through
Ecclesiastes His God is portrayed as a God of judgement, righteous, keen to give
us our ※just deserts§ so as to speak.? Nothing about He is preparing a
Place for us, etc. etc. after mortal death 每 no hope promised here.
?
He repeatedly advises to continue to eat, drink and enjoy yourselves, i.e.
MATERIAL, bodily happiness.? Even to the extent in Chapter 11 to Invest
your money wisely.? Although God made everything, it is not given to us to
know Him nor how He works or even whether or not He helps us, especially when
the Preacher says 每 you never know whether or it it will grow well etc.
每 intimating it is all a matter of chance.? No matter how long you live,
remember that you will be dead much longer 每 there is nothing AT ALL to look
forward to ever.
?
In Chapter 9 verse 7:? Go ahead 每 eat your food and be happy;?
drink your wine and be cheerful.? It＊s alright with God. Enjoy life with
the woman you love, as long as you live the useless life that God has given you
in this world.? Enjoy every useless day of it!!?? Nothing here
about God also giving us another richer SPIRITUAL LIFE.
?
What!! Have I misread it.? No, I don＊t think so.? The Preacher is
intimating that there is NO life after death, except that God is going to judge
us 每 see his final words in verse 13: there is only one thing to say: have
reverence for God and obey His commands, because this is ALL THAT
MAN WAS CREATED for.
Finally, verse 14:? God is going to judge everything we do,
whether good or bad, even things done in secret.
?
I believe that Solomon didn＊t search for God in a personal way, even at the
end.? What he felt was regret and sorrow that all his good times of
dining, wining, excesses, doing as he pleased, indulging himself, etc. and so
on, were going to end, and he didn＊t want that AT ALL.? He wanted it to
continue forever, but without his aging body which I believe he resented.?
The whole tone of Ecclesiastes is one of despair, not regret, but despair that
the life he lived on earth was going to end and that was THE END 每 nothing more
for mankind.?
?
Not a mention that God is a God of love and a rewarder of those who do
give Him reverence and obey His commands 每 but didn＊t say? ※love
and honour Him, Praise Him§ 每 didn＊t see those words anywhere!
?
All of Solomon＊s wealth, wisdom and physical attraction didn＊t help him at
the End 每 he believed he returned to dust!??
?
Over to the rest of you for your comments -
I hope I can be convinced that I am wrong 每 but I don＊t think so 每 and I＊ll
need some convincing on this one!
?
Sincerely to you All,
Merlene
?
?
|
|
Hi Merlene, At least Solomon saw that there was more to life than just what was under the sun. Your detailed treatise reminds me of the words of Socrates in his comment to Plato around 500 B.C., "It may be that the Deity can forgive sins, but I do not see how."? The wisdom of the so-called "wisest man who ever lived" wasn't even close to a match for Godly wisdom.? Thank God for the New Testament, which is just another way to say thank God for Jesus! Daniel Webster suggested that the greatest thought that ever entered the mind of Man was "My responsibility to my Maker."? As you so excellently point out, Solomon's thoughts centred on himself. Fortunately for Solomon, and for us, the Maker sets a low bar for our salvation, our acceptance of the gift of His Son. Thanks, Merlene.? Hopefully we'll hear from some others. Blessings, Ray
On Monday, 28 September 2020, 05:05:19 pm AEST, Merlene <merlene@...> wrote:
Hi Ray and fellow Students,
?
Last Thursday you, Ray, asked the Group whether or not it believed King
Solomon (The Preacher) will make it to Heaven or not.? I was one of those
who believe he did not repent, nor did he find peace, nor find God (or The Lord)
and died a bitter, albeit very knowledgeable and rich man.? My
reasons:
?
I didn＊t hear anything said that the Preacher gave thanks to God, or thanks
to anyone for that matter.? Nor did I hear that he received joy in giving 每
his only happiness was through ※living the high life§.? In fact, in giving
Advice to Young People starting in Chapter 11 at verse 9:? Enjoy your
youth.? Be happy while you are still young.? Do what you want
to do, and follow your heart＊s desire. But remember that God is going
to judge you for whatever you do.? ...... you aren＊t going to be young very
long.? So ※remember§ your Creator while you are still young, before those
dismal days and years come when you will say ※I don＊t enjoy life§.
?
He then proceeds to go on and on about the dismal reality of Old Age
quoting that ※..... and all desire will have gone§.? Not a word here about
being glad in the Lord, or finding joy in loving God.? ALL the way through
Ecclesiastes His God is portrayed as a God of judgement, righteous, keen to give
us our ※just deserts§ so as to speak.? Nothing about He is preparing a
Place for us, etc. etc. after mortal death 每 no hope promised here.
?
He repeatedly advises to continue to eat, drink and enjoy yourselves, i.e.
MATERIAL, bodily happiness.? Even to the extent in Chapter 11 to Invest
your money wisely.? Although God made everything, it is not given to us to
know Him nor how He works or even whether or not He helps us, especially when
the Preacher says 每 you never know whether or it it will grow well etc.
每 intimating it is all a matter of chance.? No matter how long you live,
remember that you will be dead much longer 每 there is nothing AT ALL to look
forward to ever.
?
In Chapter 9 verse 7:? Go ahead 每 eat your food and be happy;?
drink your wine and be cheerful.? It＊s alright with God. Enjoy life with
the woman you love, as long as you live the useless life that God has given you
in this world.? Enjoy every useless day of it!!?? Nothing here
about God also giving us another richer SPIRITUAL LIFE.
?
What!! Have I misread it.? No, I don＊t think so.? The Preacher is
intimating that there is NO life after death, except that God is going to judge
us 每 see his final words in verse 13: there is only one thing to say: have
reverence for God and obey His commands, because this is ALL THAT
MAN WAS CREATED for.
Finally, verse 14:? God is going to judge everything we do,
whether good or bad, even things done in secret.
?
I believe that Solomon didn＊t search for God in a personal way, even at the
end.? What he felt was regret and sorrow that all his good times of
dining, wining, excesses, doing as he pleased, indulging himself, etc. and so
on, were going to end, and he didn＊t want that AT ALL.? He wanted it to
continue forever, but without his aging body which I believe he resented.?
The whole tone of Ecclesiastes is one of despair, not regret, but despair that
the life he lived on earth was going to end and that was THE END 每 nothing more
for mankind.?
?
Not a mention that God is a God of love and a rewarder of those who do
give Him reverence and obey His commands 每 but didn＊t say? ※love
and honour Him, Praise Him§ 每 didn＊t see those words anywhere!
?
All of Solomon＊s wealth, wisdom and physical attraction didn＊t help him at
the End 每 he believed he returned to dust!??
?
Over to the rest of you for your comments -
I hope I can be convinced that I am wrong 每 but I don＊t think so 每 and I＊ll
need some convincing on this one!
?
Sincerely to you All,
Merlene
?
?
|
|
Hi Mandy, I just finished listening to a Christian woman from China speaking to an American radio program about life today in Communist China.? She put her experience in religious terms, good versus evil, noting that the persecution served to strengthen people's faith.? You're probably aware to some degree of what's happening today in the USA*, something that I follow closely; recently many more people other than just born-again believers are phrasing that in biblical terms as well, as a battle of good versus evil.? Evil is rich and powerful and has a lust for total control at any price, even as more and more of their secret plans are exposed to the light.? And the horrible prospect is that evil may win out, at least "under the sun". The Bible sums up one problem with this concept of good versus evil while answering the young ruler (whom many think was Mark) in Luke 18:18-23 when He said, "Why do you call Me good? No one?is?good but?One,?that is,?God. (Luke 18:19)"?? A person may be well and truly evil and still consider themselves to be "good people" or otherwise justified in their actions.? I daresay that some if not many of the rioters have convinced themselves that they are righteous even as they seek to tear down a representative democracy and replace it with totalitarian fascist tyranny.? Most, as Mandy noted, suffer from depression, substance abuse, cognitive dissonance, self-justification, and self-hatred because they've been taught in expensive schools that life under the sun is all that there is. A famous study of straight-laced German civilian police drafted into the WWII German Army who slowly morphed into Nazi death squads examines the human psychology of this in detail. On the other hand, most on the side of the "good" are aware that there are ways in which they fall short. Life, as Solomon noted, is an adventure to be lived with ups and downs, decisions to make, turns and round-abouts. Life can seem hard, as hard perhaps as "for a camel to go through the eye of a needle."? Yet as Solomon seemed to belatedly appreciate, there's more to life that just the depressing doom and gloom that we see all around us under the sun. The Bible notes that "things which are impossible with men are possible with God§ and that "nothing will be impossible with God."? There is much, much more to life than merely that found under the sun.? When one's worldview looks to God, three simple but powerful concepts start making themselves known: faith, hope, and love. It doesn't help much to remember that, while the specific details may differ, pretty much everyone who ever lived has faced similiar pressures and circumstances.? The Bible was written thousands of years ago as a guide to life.? Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther was struggling with similar issues when he discovered a simple Bible verse in the obscure book of Habakkuk, "The just shall live by faith. (Hab. 2:4)"? 1,500 years earlier, Paul had written a trilogy of three New Testament books on Habakkuk 2:4.? Romans identifies "the just".? Hebrews tells how they should live.? Galatians discusses faith. Thursday week, we'll begin our study of the books of Galatians and Hebrews.? As has happened so frequently during our U3A studies, the timing seems to be somewhat providential.? When a person believes in small miracles as I do, it's hard not to see them all around.? Thanks for a perfect example, Mandy. I'm often aware that our U3A course is not religious and that I'm neither priest nor pastor nor rabbi nor imam nor shaman.? Sometimes that seems to be a weakness and other times a strength.? But our focus is and should be on the marvellous library of books called the Bible.? It speaks for itself.? Through it, many believe that God speaks, saying what He means and meaning what He says.? By it, many learn about what He wants His Creation to know.? In it, many find comfort. Whilst enjoying the holiday, I look forward to seeing you all again online.? In the meantime, please keep the emails coming.  Blessings, Ray NOTE: * The USA may be facing the final meaningful "election" in its 240+ year existence as a representative republic.? One party has concluded that it can't win fairly and is pulling out all stops to use election mechanisms, lawyers, lies and extortion to seize power.? Nothing is off the table.? Midway into Term 4, we'll know if they have succeeded.? We're lucky to live in Australia.
On Tuesday, 29 September 2020, 01:50:07 pm AEST, Mandy <mandyflynn01@...> wrote:
Hi everyone interesting comments thank you. Just a thought do you think that if today someone saw all that gloom they? would be treated for depression and given medication,? many people for various reasons feel like that, not me but family members.
Enjoy the rest of you holidays. ?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------
From: "Ray via groups.io" <ray.sarlin@...>
Date: 28/9/20 5:33 pm (GMT+10:00)
Subject: Re: [b4uc] Ecclesiastes - Quotes from GOOD NEWS BIBLE
Hi Merlene,
At least Solomon saw that there was more to life than just what was under the sun.
Your detailed treatise reminds me of the words of Socrates in his comment to Plato around 500 B.C., "It may be that the Deity can forgive sins, but I do not see how."? The wisdom of the so-called "wisest man who ever lived" wasn't even close
to a match for Godly wisdom.?
Thank God for the New Testament, which is just another way to say thank God for Jesus!
Daniel Webster suggested that the greatest thought that ever entered the mind of Man was "My responsibility to my Maker."? As you so excellently point out, Solomon's thoughts centred on himself.
Fortunately for Solomon, and for us, the Maker sets a low bar for our salvation, our acceptance of the gift of His Son.
Thanks, Merlene.? Hopefully we'll hear from some others.
Blessings,
Ray
On Monday, 28 September 2020, 05:05:19 pm AEST, Merlene <merlene@...> wrote:
Hi Ray and fellow Students,
?
Last Thursday you, Ray, asked the Group whether or not it believed King Solomon (The Preacher) will make it to Heaven or not.? I was one of those who believe he did not repent, nor did he find peace, nor find God (or The Lord) and died a bitter, albeit
very knowledgeable and rich man.? My reasons:
?
I didn＊t hear anything said that the Preacher gave thanks to God, or thanks to anyone for that matter.? Nor did I hear that he received joy in giving 每 his only happiness was through ※living the high life§.? In fact, in giving Advice to Young People starting
in Chapter 11 at verse 9:? Enjoy your youth.? Be happy while you are still young.? Do
what you want to do, and follow your heart＊s desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do.? ...... you aren＊t going to be young very long.? So ※remember§ your Creator while you are still young, before those dismal
days and years come when you will say ※I don＊t enjoy life§.
?
He then proceeds to go on and on about the dismal reality of Old Age quoting that ※..... and all desire will have gone§.? Not a word here about being glad in the Lord, or finding joy in loving God.? ALL the way through Ecclesiastes His God is portrayed
as a God of judgement, righteous, keen to give us our ※just deserts§ so as to speak.? Nothing about He is preparing a Place for us, etc. etc. after mortal death 每 no hope promised here.
?
He repeatedly advises to continue to eat, drink and enjoy yourselves, i.e. MATERIAL, bodily happiness.? Even to the extent in Chapter 11 to Invest your money wisely.? Although God made everything, it is not given to us to know Him nor how He works or even
whether or not He helps us, especially when the Preacher says 每 you never know whether or it it will grow well
etc. 每 intimating it is all a matter of chance.? No matter how long you live, remember that you will be dead much longer 每 there is nothing AT ALL to look forward to ever.
?
In Chapter 9 verse 7:? Go ahead 每 eat your food and be happy;? drink your wine and be cheerful.? It＊s alright with God. Enjoy life with the woman you love, as long as you live the useless life that God has given you in this world.? Enjoy every useless
day of it!!?? Nothing here about God also giving us another richer SPIRITUAL LIFE.
?
What!! Have I misread it.? No, I don＊t think so.? The Preacher is intimating that there is NO life after death, except that God is going to judge us 每 see his final words in verse 13:
there is only one thing to say: have reverence for God and obey His commands, because this is ALL THAT MAN WAS CREATED for.
Finally, verse 14:? God is going to judge everything we do, whether good or bad, even things done in secret.
?
I believe that Solomon didn＊t search for God in a personal way, even at the end.? What he felt was
regret and sorrow that all his good times of dining, wining, excesses, doing as he pleased, indulging himself, etc. and so on, were going to end, and he didn＊t want that AT ALL.? He wanted it to continue forever, but without his aging body which I believe
he resented.? The whole tone of Ecclesiastes is one of despair, not regret, but despair that the life he lived on earth was going to end and that was THE END 每 nothing more for mankind.?
?
Not a mention that God is a God of love and a rewarder of those who do give Him reverence and obey His commands 每
but didn＊t say? ※love and honour Him, Praise Him§ 每 didn＊t see those words anywhere!
?
All of Solomon＊s wealth, wisdom and physical attraction didn＊t help him at the End 每 he believed he returned to dust!??
?
Over to the rest of you for your comments -
I hope I can be convinced that I am wrong 每 but I don＊t think so 每 and I＊ll need some convincing on this one!
?
Sincerely to you All,
Merlene
?
?
|
羲堁极郤Maybe we should also be studying the book of Isaiah 每 it has certain
similarities to today＊s world ??
? From: Ray via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2020 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: [b4uc] Ecclesiastes - Quotes from GOOD NEWS BIBLE
#Term4 #Galatians ?
Hi Mandy,
?
I just finished listening to a Christian woman
from China speaking to an American radio program about life today in Communist
China.? She put her experience in religious terms, good versus evil, noting
that the persecution served to strengthen people's faith.? You're probably
aware to some degree of what's happening today in the USA*, something that I
follow closely; recently many more people other than just born-again believers
are phrasing that in biblical terms as well, as a battle of good versus
evil.? Evil is rich and powerful and has a lust for total control at any
price, even as more and more of their secret plans are exposed to the
light.? And the horrible prospect is that evil may win out, at least "under
the sun".
?
The Bible sums up one problem with this concept
of good versus evil while answering the young ruler (whom many think was Mark)
in Luke 18:18-23 when He said, "Why
do you call Me good? No one is good but?One,
that is, God. (Luke 18:19)"?
A
person may be well and truly evil and still consider themselves to be "good
people" or otherwise justified in their actions.? I daresay that some if
not many of the rioters have convinced themselves that they are righteous even
as they seek to tear down a representative democracy and replace it with
totalitarian fascist tyranny.? Most, as Mandy noted, suffer from
depression, substance abuse, cognitive dissonance, self-justification, and
self-hatred because they've been taught in expensive schools that life under the
sun is all that there is. A famous study of straight-laced German civilian
police drafted into the WWII German Army who slowly morphed into Nazi death
squads examines the human psychology of this in detail.
On
the other hand, most on the side of the "good" are aware that there are ways in
which they fall short. Life, as Solomon noted, is an adventure to be lived with
ups and downs, decisions to make, turns and round-abouts. Life can seem hard, as
hard perhaps as "for a camel to go through the eye of a needle."? Yet as
Solomon seemed to belatedly appreciate, there's more to life that just the
depressing doom and gloom that we see all around us under the
sun.
The
Bible notes that "things
which are impossible with men are possible with God§ and that "nothing will be
impossible with God."? There is much, much more to life than merely that
found under the sun.? When one's worldview looks to God, three simple but
powerful concepts start making themselves known: faith, hope, and
love.
It
doesn't help much to remember that, while the specific details may differ,
pretty much everyone who ever lived has faced similiar pressures and
circumstances.? The Bible was written thousands of years ago as a guide to
life.? Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther was struggling with similar
issues when he discovered a simple Bible verse in the obscure book of Habakkuk,
"The just shall live by faith. (Hab. 2:4)"? 1,500 years earlier, Paul had
written a trilogy of three New Testament books on Habakkuk 2:4.? Romans
identifies "the just".? Hebrews tells how they should live.? Galatians
discusses faith.
?
Thursday week, we'll begin our study of the
books of Galatians and Hebrews.? As has happened so frequently during our
U3A studies, the timing seems to be somewhat providential.? When a person
believes in small miracles as I do, it's hard not to see them all around.?
Thanks for a perfect example, Mandy.
?
I'm often aware that our U3A course is not
religious and that I'm neither priest nor pastor nor rabbi nor imam nor
shaman.? Sometimes that seems to be a weakness and other times a
strength.? But our focus is and should be on the marvellous library of
books called the Bible.? It speaks for itself.? Through it, many
believe that God speaks, saying what He means and meaning what He says.? By
it, many learn about what He wants His Creation to know.? In it, many find
comfort.
?
Whilst enjoying the holiday, I look forward to
seeing you all again online.? In the meantime, please keep the emails
coming.
?
Blessings,
?
Ray
?
NOTE: * The USA may be facing the final
meaningful "election" in its 240+ year existence as a representative
republic.? One party has concluded that it can't win fairly and is pulling
out all stops to use election mechanisms, lawyers, lies and extortion to seize
power.? Nothing is off the table.? Midway into Term 4, we'll know if
they have succeeded.? We're lucky to live in Australia.
?
?
? |
|
Hi Merlene, Every book in the Bible is precious, informative, and
instructive.? While I＊m not sure that denouncing
personal sins and national sins; warning of God＊s judgment and later restoration;
and ancient Jewish history is our greatest need today, Isaiah＊s message of
salvation is timeless. Isaiah announced the coming of the Messiah who would die
for sinners and one day return to earth to establish His glorious kingdom.?? While large swathes of Isaiah are little
read or expounded upon today, the book＊s position as the most quoted in all of
Scripture fortunately means that many important passages are familiar to most
New Testament readers.? Twenty of the 27 New Testament books include Isaiah quotations.? Paul, for
example, quoted from or alluded to Isaiah at least 80 times; it may have been his favourite
book.
Just one passage, Isaiah＊s fourth ※Servant Song§ in verses 52:13-53:12, is quoted from or alluded to about forty times in the NT.? This is the passage in Acts 8 where the Ethiopian Treasurer asks Phillip if the song is about Jesus or someone else.? It describes how the victory of the Servant of the Lord will be achieved through suffering, which will lead to healing. You can get a good sense of Isaiah by reading his first
three songs in:?
Thanks for the suggestion.? Isaiah is on the R09 list, but as the third-longest?book in the Bible, its weight pushes it down near the bottom.  Blessings, Ray
On Tuesday, 29 September 2020, 05:13:54 pm AEST, Merlene <merlene@...> wrote:
Maybe we should also be studying the book of Isaiah 每 it has certain
similarities to today＊s world ??
? From: Ray via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2020 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: [b4uc] Ecclesiastes - Quotes from GOOD NEWS BIBLE
#Term4 #Galatians ?
Hi Mandy,
?
I just finished listening to a Christian woman
from China speaking to an American radio program about life today in Communist
China.? She put her experience in religious terms, good versus evil, noting
that the persecution served to strengthen people's faith.? You're probably
aware to some degree of what's happening today in the USA*, something that I
follow closely; recently many more people other than just born-again believers
are phrasing that in biblical terms as well, as a battle of good versus
evil.? Evil is rich and powerful and has a lust for total control at any
price, even as more and more of their secret plans are exposed to the
light.? And the horrible prospect is that evil may win out, at least "under
the sun".
?
The Bible sums up one problem with this concept
of good versus evil while answering the young ruler (whom many think was Mark)
in Luke 18:18-23 when He said, "Why
do you call Me good? No one is good but?One,
that is, God. (Luke 18:19)"?
A
person may be well and truly evil and still consider themselves to be "good
people" or otherwise justified in their actions.? I daresay that some if
not many of the rioters have convinced themselves that they are righteous even
as they seek to tear down a representative democracy and replace it with
totalitarian fascist tyranny.? Most, as Mandy noted, suffer from
depression, substance abuse, cognitive dissonance, self-justification, and
self-hatred because they've been taught in expensive schools that life under the
sun is all that there is. A famous study of straight-laced German civilian
police drafted into the WWII German Army who slowly morphed into Nazi death
squads examines the human psychology of this in detail.
On
the other hand, most on the side of the "good" are aware that there are ways in
which they fall short. Life, as Solomon noted, is an adventure to be lived with
ups and downs, decisions to make, turns and round-abouts. Life can seem hard, as
hard perhaps as "for a camel to go through the eye of a needle."? Yet as
Solomon seemed to belatedly appreciate, there's more to life that just the
depressing doom and gloom that we see all around us under the
sun.
The
Bible notes that "things
which are impossible with men are possible with God§ and that "nothing will be
impossible with God."? There is much, much more to life than merely that
found under the sun.? When one's worldview looks to God, three simple but
powerful concepts start making themselves known: faith, hope, and
love.
It
doesn't help much to remember that, while the specific details may differ,
pretty much everyone who ever lived has faced similiar pressures and
circumstances.? The Bible was written thousands of years ago as a guide to
life.? Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther was struggling with similar
issues when he discovered a simple Bible verse in the obscure book of Habakkuk,
"The just shall live by faith. (Hab. 2:4)"? 1,500 years earlier, Paul had
written a trilogy of three New Testament books on Habakkuk 2:4.? Romans
identifies "the just".? Hebrews tells how they should live.? Galatians
discusses faith.
?
Thursday week, we'll begin our study of the
books of Galatians and Hebrews.? As has happened so frequently during our
U3A studies, the timing seems to be somewhat providential.? When a person
believes in small miracles as I do, it's hard not to see them all around.?
Thanks for a perfect example, Mandy.
?
I'm often aware that our U3A course is not
religious and that I'm neither priest nor pastor nor rabbi nor imam nor
shaman.? Sometimes that seems to be a weakness and other times a
strength.? But our focus is and should be on the marvellous library of
books called the Bible.? It speaks for itself.? Through it, many
believe that God speaks, saying what He means and meaning what He says.? By
it, many learn about what He wants His Creation to know.? In it, many find
comfort.
?
Whilst enjoying the holiday, I look forward to
seeing you all again online.? In the meantime, please keep the emails
coming.
?
Blessings,
?
Ray
?
NOTE: * The USA may be facing the final
meaningful "election" in its 240+ year existence as a representative
republic.? One party has concluded that it can't win fairly and is pulling
out all stops to use election mechanisms, lawyers, lies and extortion to seize
power.? Nothing is off the table.? Midway into Term 4, we'll know if
they have succeeded.? We're lucky to live in Australia.
?
?
? |
羲堁极郤Thank you Greig.? Merlene
? From: Greig
and Anne Lipman
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2020 6:00 PM
Subject: Re: [b4uc] Ecclesiastes - Quotes from GOOD NEWS
BIBLE ?
Hi
Marlene
Ecclesiastes 9 is one of my favourite chapters. I think one key is the
※under the sun§ idea )vs the above the sun) it talks about;? All of the
joys and sorrows of this life happen ※under the sun.※ it mentions that Joys and
happiness can be extracted by maintaining happy parameters in the close
relationships each of us have. Go outside this boundary leads to pain and
sorrow.
Therefore There is an opposite. It must? be ※above the sun§. That is;
Heaven. The place where Christ has ascended to. Thessalonians and Hebrews tell
us that Christ will return one day from there.
At that time He will raise the Dead in Christ. (All those who accepted him
as saviour)
※Sheol§In Ecclesiastes 9 is the grave. This is one of the verses that tell
is that there is no life there. The New Testament tells us, especially the
incident between Jesus and Mary about? her beloved brother Lazarus. Where
Jesus says he is both, asleep and also dead. Read the whole account from when
Jesus recieves the news of Lazarus＊ passing.
Mary response is interesting because she had been taught about a
resurrection day before the first Easter occurred. Ie she knew a Resurrection
doctrine and about the Last day.
So these thoughts are very different to the idea of a spirit going to
heaven when We die.
But i reckon there are enough scriptures for me to take comfort.
It opposes that awful comment like: ※ when the child who has passed is In
heaven ..§because God wanted him more than his parents.※
Or
that an unbelieving parent is in hell looking up wishing he had
believed.
No, this Ecclesiastes idea says in Sheol there is no thought (therefore
life) BUT Jesus says: ※I AM THE RESURRECTION? AND THE LIFE§ and ※I will
come back Again and receive you unto myself so that where i am;You may he there
also, therefore comfort one another with these words.※
I say: Hallelujah what a saviour.!!
Yours,
Greig
On 29 Sep 2020, at 1:50 pm, Mandy <mandyflynn01@...> wrote:
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Merlene
Ray