When Death Comes
Ecclesiastes 3:15-22
Introduction
Chapter 3 is the heart of Ecclesiastes. It is the heart of the Preacher’s message. He invites the
reader to look up; God is in charge of time; there is a time for everything; including a time to tell
the truth. God has ordained purpose under heaven. God has a creative purpose; “He has made
everything beautiful in it’s time” (v.11). But with the fall of human beings God initiated a
redemptive purpose “He put eternity in men’s hearts, except that no one can out the work that
God does from beginning to end” (v.11). Only the New Testament gives us sufficient revelation
to interpret those words; for the gospel alone tells us about God who sends a Savior to die on a
Cross. God has not only placed eternity in our hearts; but God places abundant life in a heart
meant for eternity (John 10:10). If the redemptive purpose of God is rejected then God includes
a corrective purpose. “God requires an account of what is past” (Eccl. 3:15). The Preacher adds;
“Moreover I saw under the sun: In the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place
of righteousness; iniquity was there. I said in my heart, ‘God shall judge the righteous and the
wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work” (Eccl.3:16-17).
What chance does the person have who refuses God’s salvation in Christ? What recourse exists
for the sinner who accepts the creative purposes of God but rejects the redemptive purposes of
God? There is no recourse. There is no second or third option. We live in a day of grace. And
when the day of grace passes; judgment follows. This is the reason the Bible says; “now is the
accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
We look up; God has established the times. We look within; God has placed eternity in our
hearts (vv.9-14); and now we look ahead (vv.15-22); birth is a mystery but death is a certainty.
Life, death, time and eternity these are the ingredients that make up our brief existence here and
our eternal existence elsewhere.
The Preacher’s message shifts from an evaluation of our lives from an earthly perspective to a
dramatic look at life from God’s perspective (vv.15-21). The Preacher looks at what God has
done (v.15); God’s supervision of all things in times past; what God does now (vv.18-21); God
tests people; and what God will do (vv.16-17); God will bring judgment both to the righteous and
the wicked.
The Preacher is alone with his thoughts; and they are painful and disturbing. The Preacher has
considered his projects, his plans, his buildings, planting and digging, accumulations and
entertainment. The Preacher does what Preachers often do; he talks to himself; but we have the
benefit of hearing his internal conversation. The Preacher touches on disillusionment and
confusion. The Preacher is well aware that we live in a world that doesn’t always seem fair or
right; where injustice and inequity and unfair treatment; and greed and pride and wicked
arrogance does not seem to go punished.
What God Has Done (v.15)
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When Death Comes
Ecclesiastes 3:15-22
Ecclesiastes 3:15 (NKJV)
That which is has already been,
been;
And God requires an account of what is past.
And what is to be has already
Bible scholars are divided over how to translate this verse. It literally reads; “God seeks what
hurries along”. Sometimes the word “seeks” means an object; or it can be used in the figurative
sense; “looking or seeking to kill someone”; but it can also mean to seek in the legal sense; when
Abel’s blood cries from the ground or in 2 Samuel 4:11 “should I not demand (Hebrew seek) his
blood from your hand?” or I will require justice for the shedding of his blood”.
Our sun is moving in our galaxy. Our galaxy is moving in our universe. Solomon might be
saying that time goes by quickly and gets away from us (Wiersbe p.49). Or time keeps on
slippin’ slippin’ slippin’ into the future (The Steve Miller Band). Yet God keeps track of all time;
and as difficult as it might seem; God has an accurate understanding of everything everyone has
done in time. The plain sense seems to be God seeks justice for the persecuted” (see Duane
Garrett; The New American Commentary; p.301).
How many times have you heard someone say; “How can God be in control if there is so much
wickedness and evil in the world?”
How is it that the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer?
Human counsel, human wisdom, human problems, human struggles, human answers; when our
vision is horizontal rather than vertical we are faced with perplexing problems.
What God Will Do (vv.16-17)
Ecclesiastes 3:16 (NKJV) Moreover I saw under the sun:
In the place of judgment,
Wickedness was there;
And in the place of righteousness,
Iniquity was there.
If justice and righteousness cannot be found in the place where justice and righteousness
belongs; where can it be found? There is a sense of fairness and justice within us. We want
things to be right. We want judicial justification. If someone is oppressed there should be
someone there to make things right. We want comfort if we can’t find relief from our
oppression.
The place of judgment is the Court of the Law. The Preacher sees injustice and oppression in the
place where justice and righteousness were supposed to be upheld. This is the place where the
rights of the poor and oppressed where to be protected. But they were not being protected.
Ecclesiastes 3:17 (NKJV) I said in my heart,
God shall judge the righteous and the wicked,
For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
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When Death Comes
Ecclesiastes 3:15-22
Do you understand what the Preacher is saying? The Preacher does the math. If human beings
must settle accounts with God; there must be such a thing as judgment day. In a way not
completely known or understood; God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man.
There will come a time when all things will be brought before a holy bench; a righteous judge
will pronounce judgment.
“For there is a time” is “a time for everything and every deed is there”. What does the Preacher
mean by “there?” Does it mean a time for every matter? Could it have an eschatological,
ultimate sense? There may mean the place where God judges. Psalm 14:5 says, “There
evildoers are overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous”. It
could mean the day of Judgment where the unrighteous are punished and the righteous are
vindicated. The time and the place are not given; but clearly it is in the context of death and the
grave. The Preacher does not speculate as to the nature or the duration of the punishment!
We have to look elsewhere in the Bible to get that information and the lips of Jesus provide us
with a wealth of information.
What God Does Now (vv.18-21)
Ecclesiastes 3:18 (NKJV) I said in my heart, Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God
tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals.
The word translated “test” is interesting. It is the Hebrew word which means to winnow or sift.
God is at work; revealing the truth about human nature and human character.
What happens when human beings abandon God and leave no room for God in their lives?
They begin to behave like animals, driven by instinct and desire. What do we have to boast?
What do we have to be proud in?
If we dare to limit our observations only to that which can be observed; if we dare to limit our
observations and conclusions only to empirical data; we are forced to conclude that we have
limited advantage over our furry friends. In one sense we are no better than any living creature;
in the sense that all living things die.
Animals do everything they do to postpone death. Is that true of you? Think about who you are
and what you do! Do you breath to postpone death? Do you eat to postpone death? Do you
work to postpone death?
We sometimes think that judgment is yet future; but there is a sense in which God is judging
right now.
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When Death Comes
Ecclesiastes 3:15-22
Ecclesiastes 3:19 (NKJV) For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one
thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no
advantage over animals, for all is vanity.
When human beings live like animals that share the common fate of animals.
Clearly the Bible teaches there is a difference between human beings and animals. We are made
in the image of God (Gen. 2:7; 3:19). The Lord Jesus Christ has saved us by his death and
resurrection; we are cleansed of guilt; able to enter into fellowship with God; and become heirs
with Christ in eternity. We will be one day inherit new resurrection bodies; appropriate for our
final destination.
Man has no advantage over animals in respect to death. Death is the ultimate harsh reality.
For human beings who dare entertain the notion that human beings are little gods or unformed
gods or gods in the making; death is a surprising wake up call (no pun intended). We are
creatures and not the Creator.
Ecclesiastes 3:20 (NKJV) All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.
The Preacher selects as his text Genesis 3:19; “For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
return” (KJV).
Human bodies and animal bodies share a common fate. Living tissue becomes dead tissue and
breaks down to its elemental ingredients. We all return to dust. Or do we?
Woody Allen famously said, “I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to
achieve immortality through not dying”.
The Bible believer does not deny the power of death. And even the unbeliever sometimes takes
death seriously. The unbeliever may want to approach death lightly. But that of course is a
mistake.
Are you human beings simply blood and bones; muscle and tissue; chemicals and electrical
signals? Do we have an invisible, eternal, immortal quality? Do we have spirits or souls?
Ecclesiastes 3:21 (NKJV) Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the
spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?
Indeed-- who knows? That is the point. Do you know? Does God know?
Many people believe they will seek or plan to seek God in the eleventh hour. But they die at
10:30.
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When Death Comes
Ecclesiastes 3:15-22
Dr. Maurice Rawlings wrote a book about near death experiences; To Hell and Back.
Dr. Rawlings is a heart doctor in Chattanooga Tennessee. He has dealt with scores of people
who have had what we might call near death experiences. These death survivors describe the
moment of death as absolutely painless, regardless of every instinct we have about it. Dr.
Rawlings people described death as “like missing a heartbeat” or “a lost breath”. Some have
experiences of leaving their bodies; others travel what looks like a tunnel. About half the
people report going to a place of torment. According to Dr. Rawlings he was an agnostic or
cynic. But one day a patient changed his mind. A man named Charles McKaig, from LaFayette
Georgia; a 48 year old mail carrier; was doing a routine treadmill. The heart monitor became
erratic and then flat-lined; unexpectedly, Charlie continued to talk for a few moments; unaware
that his heart had stopped; four of five seconds later, he looked suddenly dumbfounded. Then his
eyes rolled up in his head and he fell off the dreadmill. Rawlings immediately began to apply
CPR; as Charlie’s heart started beating he screamed; “Don’t stop! I’m in hell! I’m in hell! The
Doctor thought the patient was having hallucinations; but Charlie continued, “For God’s sake,
don’t stop! Don’t you understand? Every time you let go, I’m back in hell.” Charlie begged the
Doctor to pray for him. But Rawlings said, “shut up, shut up, I’m a doctor not a minister.” The
nurses looked horrified. “All right. Say it! Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Go on and say it.”
Charlie said those words and a strange thing happened. He was no longer a wide eyed,
screaming, combative lunatic. He was relaxed and calm and cooperative. He survived the
experience a changed man from that moment on” (see Searching For Heaven On Earth by David
Jeremiah; who tells this story pp.77-78).
In his book Dr. Rawlings makes the comment; “unless you know where you are going, it is not
safe to die!” No kidding! Solomon believes God knows. Solomon believes God will judge the
wicked and the righteous. The spirit of a human being goes to God for either reward or
punishment.
The Preacher suggests that man and animals have a different death experience. When a human
being dies; his or her spirit leaves the body (James 2:26; Gen. 35:18 and Luke 8:55). The spirits
of human beings return to God (see 12:7). “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and
the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (KJV).
Does this mean whatever makes an animal an animal; its life or presence or self-awareness;
simply cease to exist? A similar contrast also appears in Psalm 49.
Ecclesiastes 3:22 (NKJV) So I perceived that nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in
his own works, for that is his heritage. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?
The Preacher asks the million dollar question! Does anyone know the future? Can we return to
life after we have died to advise the living about the condition of the dead?
The Preacher leaves his own question unanswered. Instead he sees this as a teaching moment.
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When Death Comes
Ecclesiastes 3:15-22
We sometimes must contend with injustice on this side of time. We are left on the earth for
reasons not always known or within our control. The Preacher’s answer includes; rejoice, be
happy in your activities on the earth. We might go so far as to say “make the best of a bad
situation”. And if the situation isn’t all that bad, hallelujah!
Does “what will happen after him” mean after him on the earth or after him in eternity future?
The context seems to favor in the eternal state.
Harry Houdini the great escape artist thought that he would be able to break out of whatever
facility held the souls the dead. He promised he would return and tell his beloved wife the truth
about what happens when you die. Houdini did not keep his promise; but a group of people
meet every year on the anniversary of his death to see if Houdini will make good on his promise.
For the Christian death may cast a giant shadow. The Psalmist David wrote; “Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil”. The presence of a shadow means
the sun is shining somewhere. A gigantic light will sometimes allow for a very large shadow.
For the Christian death itself is not a tyrant but a gift from a loving Lord.
“Precious in the sight of God is the death of his saints”. Death is God’s servant; and it does
what God demands; angels come and escort the Saint into His presence.
Conclusion
Wiersbe (BE SATISFIED p. 51).
“Faith learns to live with seeming inconsistencies and absurdities, for we live by promises and
not by explanations. We can’t explain life, but we must experience life, either enduring it or
enjoying it. Solomon calls us to accept life, enjoy it a day at a time, and be satisfied. We must
never be satisfied with ourselves, but we must be satisfied with what God gives to us in this life.
If we grow in character and godliness, and if we life by faith, then we will be able to say with
Paul, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Phil. 4:11NIV).
What are your circumstances right now? Painful? Delightful? You may wallow in self-pity or
you can look at things from God’s perspective. Ask yourself these questions;
Am I living with what seems like an unfair disadvantage? I am not talking about the petty
irritations. I am talking about a liability or a disability.
At what point am I willing to replace passive self-pity with active courage? It takes courage to
move from a place of self pity to strong determination. Your disadvantages might well become
advantages when viewed from God’s perspective. Solomon asks the question “for who will
bring him to see what will occur after him?” Solomon’s disadvantage has become our
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When Death Comes
Ecclesiastes 3:15-22
advantage. Solomon’s son knows the truth. Why Jesus of course. Jesus will bring us to see
what will happen to us in eternity future.
Doug Murren and Barb Shurin in their book Is It Real When It Doesn’t Work? wrote
Toward the end of the 19th century, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel awoke one morning to head
his own obituary in the local newspaper: “Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died
yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before, and he died a
very rich man”. Actually, it was Alfred’s older brother who had died; a newspaper reporter had
bungled the epitaph. But the account had a profound effect on Nobel. He decided he wanted to
be known for something other than developing the means to kill people efficiently and for
amassing a fortune in the process. So he initiated the Nobel Prize, the award for scientists and
writers who foster peace. Nobel said, “Every man ought to have the chance to correct his
epitaph in midstream and write a new one”. Few things will change us as much as looking at our
life as though it is finished.
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