Do you fear death? The fear is understandable, given that ten out of ten people die. Not only will we face death, but everyone we love is in the same predicament. As the author of Ecclesiastes says, we “all share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad” (v. 2). Everyone, whether rich or poor, famous or ordinary, will die in the end.

In Ecclesiastes 9:1–6 the Teacher gives voice to what many of us may have thought before: “This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all” (v. 3). This passage is difficult to understand, particularly since Christians today have the benefit of the New Testament, which clearly teaches the resurrection of the dead and eternal life for those who trust in Jesus (John 11:25; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor.15:12, 42).

Does Ecclesiastes contradict the New Testament? I don’t think so, for a few reasons. First, even though the Teacher expresses his frustration that death is the great equalizer, he has repeatedly expressed his faith in God and highlighted the importance of living in relationship with Him.

Second, the concept of progressive revelation teaches that as time progressed, God more fully revealed Himself in Scripture. Thus, Ecclesiastes does not contradict the resurrection of the dead, because God had not yet fully revealed that truth. Now that we have the fuller revelation of Scripture, we can affirm even more fully the Teacher’s  reflection on the “evil” of death as the great equalizer. In fact, death is so evil, so abhorrent to the Lord of life, that the Son died on the cross in order to conquer death and atone for sin. So we can agree with the Teacher, while also rejoicing that death has been defeated! “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55).

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