Thoughts from Ecclesiastes- 2

What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. (Ecclesiastes 1:3, 4)


If we take a look at what the preacher says here, in a way, it's true. What does a man gain from all his labour at which he toils under the sun. Of course, he may make some amount of money and there are a few that wallow in luxury. There are fewer who have great wealth and possessions. But the question that the preacher asks here is, "What does a man really gain from all this?, because finally he has to die and would not be able to take anything that he has accumulated all his life. Everyone who is born on earth has a timespan alloted by God for living on earth; there are some who do not even live out the time alloted by God because of their wicked, selfish and disobedient ways. So finally, what is the end of all this? 'Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever', is what the preacher says. A man's existence is 70-80 years, very few live upto a 100. Even so, the lifespan of a person is so small compared to the earth which has been from the beginning and still remains.

'Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever', was written by the preacher thinking possibly of temporal things and not with eternity in view, for the Bible says and it is prophesied that the present heaven and earth will pass away and there will be a new heaven and earth. God will dwell among his people. As we read in the book of Revelation,
"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)
New Jerusalem, the glorious city in heaven, will be the final destination of them who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and have lived according to the Word of God. But for the wicked and for them who have chosen to live in their own ways, rejecting salvation through Christ, eternal torment awaits them.

God gives everyone enough chances to turn from their sinful ways and live according to his Word. It is upto each one of us to choose the right path and live for God. Otherwise eternal judgement enduring the wrath of God in hell or the lake of fire will be the tragic ending.