Introduction Ecclesiastes

Introduction to Ecclesiastes

Posted on by

This introduction is intended to provide an overview of the book, including the:
• Title
• Time Period
• Author
• Key words and phrases
• Purpose
• Solomon’s goals and method
• Key steps in the progression of the book
• Conclusion

One primary key to the book is understanding that in clear distinction to the rest of humanity, Solomon was “gifted” wisdom and as such it could not be lost or forfeited. The results in Ecclesiastes being a very valuable book indeed. For though Solomon lived a good portion of his life in futile pursuits which affected his take away of the things he learned, his wisdom still enabled him to see clearly what was happening as a result of his choices.

“So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.” – Ecc. 2:9

This places Solomon in perhaps, one of the most unique positions of anyone in all of human history, save Jesus Himself! It also gives a transcendence to the value of his insights which otherwise would have been distorted through the deceptiveness of sin.

We noticed that there were two directions this book was taking. Solomon’s purpose in writing and God’s purpose in having Solomon write it – which were two very different reasons indeed, but which merge at the end of the book into one very concise and simple statement!

We are approaching this book of Ecclesiastes from the perspective that it is an entire inspired book which is dedicated to expanding on the lesson of the manna, which is that,
“Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word which PROCEEDS out of the mouth of God.” – Deut. 8:3

Possessing a knowledge of these things BEFORE diving into this book will prepare the reader to be properly oriented to the direction and purpose of the book so as to take away from our studies as much as possible. The most important thing being a better understanding of God in Christ and our relation to Him in trust as is the force and focus of all scripture!

Continue reading→
Faith early church

Faith of our Fathers Pt. 3

Posted on by

This week we bore down hard on the warning and encouragement of Jesus to the church of Ephesus.

Key words were:
• Remember
• Repent
• Love
• Remove

All of this was spoken directly by Jesus to this precious church. He was saying…
• Remember the passion you possessed for Me at the beginning
• Change you mind (heart) about this and return to what you have neglected
• Love Me with ALL your heart – put Me first both in Chronology AND Priority
• If you fail to do this, I will remove your church (not physically, but Heaven will no longer recognize it and I, as your Chief Shepherd, will no longer walk among you.)

It is important to note that Jesus did NOT say, “You no longer love Me at all”. These Ephesian believers did in fact love Christ, it is just that over time and with the emphasis placed almost entirely upon sound doctrine, they grew (through neglect) to love Him less.

The coals were still hot, but the fire had died.

This represents a very rough outline of ALL that was covered, but we only truly expanded upon the need to remember and what kind of love the Ephesian church came to neglect in their relationship with Him.

We ended with the cliffhanger regarding living out this passionate love for Christ:
“How IS this accomplished?”

We will revisit this and move forward with the answer next week!

Continue reading→
Come Beloved Rapture Solomon

Come away My Beloved

Posted on by

This last chapter chiastically connects largely with chapter 1 visiting their initial courtship as well as the difficulties the Shulamite had with her brothers.

It is completely or nearly completely (depending on how you view some verses) from the bride’s perspective.

Arguably the most famous phrase in the entire book of Song of Solomon is found in this chapter going like this”

“Set me like a seal upon your heart, like a signet on your arm. For love is as strong as death, passion is as unrelenting as the grave. Its flames burst forth, it is a blazing flame!  

Many waters cannot quench love; floodwaters cannot overflow it. If someone were to offer all his possessions to buy love, the offer would be utterly despised.”

This is a passionate portrayal of the love between Solomon and his bride as well as that which exists between Christ and His bride.

We wrapped up the chapter by observing the tight connection between it’s last few verses and those from Jesus to the church at the end of Revelation. The heart cry of both Holy Spirit and the bride is “Come” to which Jesus replies, “Behold I am coming suddenly.”

This is where we derived the title for this message – “Come away My Beloved”!

Continue reading→
Faith early church

Faith of our Fathers Pt. 2

Posted on by

In this new segment of our series which we are calling, ‘Faith of our Fathers”, we have turned to the church in Ephesus as an example of and a call to – live by faith.

We probably know more about this church than any other in the New Testament.

• Paul ministered there for 3 years
• Aquilla and Priscilla stayed after Paul left
• Then Paul sent Timothy there to establish elders
• Then Paul visited the pastors of this church at the end of his 3rd missionary journey encouraging them to solidify this church in sound doctrine.
• Finally they were the 1st of the churches Jesus addresses His letters to the 7 churches of Asia.

These precious believers had suffered many hardships over the years and in Ephesus they were outnumbered by pagan citizens nearly 99 to 1.

The pastors Paul addressed, did their job well solidifying their roots in sound doctrine, but along they way they abandoned the intensity and passion of the love for Christ they possessed at the first.

Continue reading→