Interpreting the Times In Light of Eternity Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

“A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment.” Ecclesiastes 2:24-25.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Ecclesiastes 3: a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Seven stanzas. Self-cancelling.

The Nature of Time Time is a constant full of change. Time is a constant full of change.

Ecclesiastes 1:4-8 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say.

The Nature of Time Time is a constant full of change. Time is a constant full of change. Life is a weary circle of repetition. Life is a weary circle of repetition. “What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-11

The Nature of Time Time is a constant full of change. Time is a constant full of change. Life is a weary circle of repetition. Life is a weary circle of repetition. Life brings us good times and bad. Life brings us good times and bad.

Ecclesiastes 3:10-13 “I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil — this is the gift of God.”

The Reality of Eternity We have been made for more than the present. We have been made for more than the present. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

The Reality of Eternity We have been made for more than the present. We have been made for more than the present. We cannot understand time and eternity. We cannot understand time and eternity.

“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil–this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:12

The Reality of Eternity We have been made for more than the present. We have been made for more than the present. We cannot understand time and eternity. We cannot understand time and eternity. The best we can do is be happy. The best we can do is be happy.

Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

The Reality of Eternity We have been made for more than the present. We have been made for more than the present. We cannot understand time and eternity. We cannot understand time and eternity. The best we can do is be happy. The best we can do is be happy. God makes all things beautiful in its time. God makes all things beautiful in its time. “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2

Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. 15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

The Unchangeable Plan Only God’s work endures forever. Only God’s work endures forever. We cannot alter God’s plan. We cannot alter God’s plan. The goal of time and eternity is that we revere God. The goal of time and eternity is that we revere God. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6

The Unchangeable Plan Only God’s work endures forever. Only God’s work endures forever. We cannot alter God’s plan. We cannot alter God’s plan. The goal of time and eternity is that we revere God. The goal of time and eternity is that we revere God. “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

Challenge: See the fulfillment of time in your life.