Monte,
These verses in Eccl. are an example of SDA proof texting. Proof Texting is the quoting of verses that seem to support a specific position, totally ignoring those which do not. The reality is that scripture does not bear out the SDA position, the early Church did not teach the SDA position, the current church does not teach the SDA position. For those who choose to interpret scripture with only their own intellect, most interpret the Old Testament by the New Testament (which is a good principle of interpretation), based on the NT we can see that the SDA position is not possible. Even the most basic arguements can prove this, for example, if the SDA position on the state of the dead is correct, then when Christ died… then God died because Christ is God… Can God die? Also, if the SDA position is correct, and the soul/spirit ceases to exist at death, then the person must be re-created not resurrected at the second coming. After all how can one resurrect something that does not exist in the first place.
Now… on to Eccl… I know SDA’s dont quote this often…(Eccl 12:5 NASB) Furthermore, men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective. **For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street… **(Eccl 12:7 NASB) then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
This verse says that man goes to his eternal home WHILE MOURNERS ARE IN THE STREET. How is this possible if they cease to exist? Mourners would have been in the street while the body was prepared for the burial and after the burial; it is in this time that according to this verse, man goes to his eternal home. Not years later at the great judgment.
Well, we know the body does not go to its eternal home, for it will later be resurrected and reunited with the soul/spirit. The soul departs the body at death and goes to its eternal reward. The Bible gives an example of this in Genesis:
(Gen 35:18 NASB) **And it came about as her soul was departing (for she died), **that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.
(Gen 35:19 NASB) So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
Genesis tells us emphatically that the soul departed when she died. Another verse that I this is relevant is Matthew 22:32. It is here that the Jewish leaders were purposefully questioning and even trying to corner Christ specifically about death and the resurrection. Christ makes an “astonishing” statement, the Sadducees did not believe in any life after death, Christ not only confirms that there is life after death, but also states that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive!
(Mat 22:29 NASB) But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God.
(Mat 22:30 NASB) "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
(Mat 22:31 NASB) "But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,
(Mat 22:32 NASB) ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."
What was Christ saying? He was saying that even though the Jews knew the bodies of the three patriarchs were dead, the three men were living. Why would he say this? Well, because according to Christ, those who believe in him will not die!! Look at this next verse:
(John 11:25 NASB) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies,
(John 11:26 NASB) and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
How many Adventist’s believe that we will never die if we believe in Christ? Not many, in fact Adventists believe that nearly all, except the faithful at the end of time, die and then are recreated later. This flies directly in the face of the verse above? This verse is so simple, Christ is assuring the woman he is speaking to that even if she dies, if she believes in him, she is only dead in her physical body, for if we believe in Christ we will never truly die this is a important part of the Gospel!
Brandon
God Bless…