Mighty Intellect
Posts: 1,902 
Location: Northern California
Location: Northern California
February 3rd, 2007, 03:49 AM
“Absolutely pointless!” says the spokesman. “Absolutely pointless! Everything is pointless.”
What do people gain from all their hard work under the sun?
Generations come, and generations go, but the earth lasts forever.
The sun rises, and the sun sets, and then it rushes back to the place where it will rise again.
The wind blows toward the south and shifts toward the north. Round and round it blows. It blows in a full circle.
All streams flow into the sea, but the sea is never full. The water goes back to the place where the streams began in order to start flowing again.
All of these sayings are worn-out phrases. They are more than anyone can express, comprehend, or understand.
Whatever has happened before will happen again. Whatever has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.
Can you say that anything is new? It has already been here long before us.
Nothing from the past is remembered. Even in the future, nothing will be remembered by those who come after us.
I, the spokesman, have been king of Israel in Jerusalem.
With all my heart I used wisdom to study and explore everything done under heaven. Mortals are weighed down with a terrible burden that God has placed on them.
I have seen everything that is done under the sun. Look at it! It’s all pointless. It’s like trying to catch the wind.
No one can straighten what is bent. No one can count what is not there.
I thought to myself, “I have grown wiser than anyone who has ruled Jerusalem before me. I’ve had a lot of experience with wisdom and knowledge.”
I’ve used my mind to understand wisdom and knowledge as well as madness and stupidity. Now I know that this is like trying to catch the wind.
With a lot of wisdom comes a lot of heartache. The greater your knowledge, the greater your pain.
Ecc 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
You tell me, what this life is to you!
Peace>>>AJ
“Absolutely pointless!” says the spokesman. “Absolutely pointless! Everything is pointless.”
What do people gain from all their hard work under the sun?
Generations come, and generations go, but the earth lasts forever.
The sun rises, and the sun sets, and then it rushes back to the place where it will rise again.
The wind blows toward the south and shifts toward the north. Round and round it blows. It blows in a full circle.
All streams flow into the sea, but the sea is never full. The water goes back to the place where the streams began in order to start flowing again.
All of these sayings are worn-out phrases. They are more than anyone can express, comprehend, or understand.
Whatever has happened before will happen again. Whatever has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.
Can you say that anything is new? It has already been here long before us.
Nothing from the past is remembered. Even in the future, nothing will be remembered by those who come after us.
I, the spokesman, have been king of Israel in Jerusalem.
With all my heart I used wisdom to study and explore everything done under heaven. Mortals are weighed down with a terrible burden that God has placed on them.
I have seen everything that is done under the sun. Look at it! It’s all pointless. It’s like trying to catch the wind.
No one can straighten what is bent. No one can count what is not there.
I thought to myself, “I have grown wiser than anyone who has ruled Jerusalem before me. I’ve had a lot of experience with wisdom and knowledge.”
I’ve used my mind to understand wisdom and knowledge as well as madness and stupidity. Now I know that this is like trying to catch the wind.
With a lot of wisdom comes a lot of heartache. The greater your knowledge, the greater your pain.
Ecc 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
You tell me, what this life is to you!
Peace>>>AJ
Mighty Intellect
Posts: 1,902
Location: Northern California
Location: Northern California
February 3rd, 2007, 03:55 AM
I said to myself:
I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity.
I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.
I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;
I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;
I made me pools of water, to water there from the forest where trees were reared;
I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I gat me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.
Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.
For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool!
So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun.
For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun?
For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?
For to the man that pleaseth him God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
I said to myself:
I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity.
I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?
I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.
I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;
I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;
I made me pools of water, to water there from the forest where trees were reared;
I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I gat me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.
Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.
For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool!
So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun.
For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun?
For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?
For to the man that pleaseth him God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Time Out
Posts: 4,276 
Videos: 1
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Videos: 1
Location: Richmond, Virginia
February 3rd, 2007, 04:08 AM
But your heart is so pure I cant find it in my heart not to like you.
This Life is the fast track for me. Why? So next life I can rest and be a Greek fisher woman, married to a Greek fisherman. We'll both be painters and sail the Southern coast, adoring eachother all of our long lives. (We're still negotiating children, I dont want any and he wants one boy)
In the mean time Im finding my soul and Im learning that people are hurtful and unkind. Im also learning I can be too when pressed and I dont like that. So this life is a learning for me and I hope when I leave it, the learning curve is a bit higher.
Quote:
AJ you do go on
You tell me, what this life is to you!
But your heart is so pure I cant find it in my heart not to like you. This Life is the fast track for me. Why? So next life I can rest and be a Greek fisher woman, married to a Greek fisherman. We'll both be painters and sail the Southern coast, adoring eachother all of our long lives. (We're still negotiating children, I dont want any and he wants one boy)
In the mean time Im finding my soul and Im learning that people are hurtful and unkind. Im also learning I can be too when pressed and I dont like that. So this life is a learning for me and I hope when I leave it, the learning curve is a bit higher.
Mighty Intellect
Posts: 1,902
Location: Northern California
Location: Northern California
February 3rd, 2007, 04:14 AM
Peace>>>AJ
Quoting selfactivated
But you are so much greater a person enduring your trial. My wish is that you dream come true! AJ you do go on But your heart is so pure I cant find it in my heart not to like you.
This Life is the fast track for me. Why? So next life I can rest and be a Greek fisher woman, married to a Greek fisherman. We'll both be painters and sail the Southern coast, adoring eachother all of our long lives. (We're still negotiating children, I dont want any and he wants one boy)
In the mean time Im finding my soul and Im learning that people are hurtful and unkind. Im also learning I can be too when pressed and I dont like that. So this life is a learning for me and I hope when I leave it, the learning curve is a bit higher.
But your heart is so pure I cant find it in my heart not to like you. This Life is the fast track for me. Why? So next life I can rest and be a Greek fisher woman, married to a Greek fisherman. We'll both be painters and sail the Southern coast, adoring eachother all of our long lives. (We're still negotiating children, I dont want any and he wants one boy)
In the mean time Im finding my soul and Im learning that people are hurtful and unkind. Im also learning I can be too when pressed and I dont like that. So this life is a learning for me and I hope when I leave it, the learning curve is a bit higher.
Peace>>>AJ
Time Out
Posts: 4,276
Videos: 1
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Videos: 1
Location: Richmond, Virginia
February 3rd, 2007, 04:18 AM
Your a good man AJ and I know your heard by many silent readers
Quoting look3467
Goddess has willed it and I trust my Goddess as you trust your God
But you are so much greater a person enduring your trial. My wish is that you dream come true!
Peace>>>AJ
Peace>>>AJ
Your a good man AJ and I know your heard by many silent readers Mighty Intellect
Posts: 1,902
Location: Northern California
Location: Northern California
February 3rd, 2007, 10:56 PM
There is a time for:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Peace>>>AJ
There is a time for:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Peace>>>AJ
Knows No Bounds
Posts: 2,650
Location: Vancouver Island
Location: Vancouver Island
February 4th, 2007, 01:45 AM
Oh brother, how can an ordinary, regular person like myself ever answer the question after
all of that, Impossible, I don't have all of those pretty words to put on paper, everything I
think is in my head and heart, and doesn't come out through my fingers, in such a
fancy style, sorry,
You win, i'll just keep on keepin on, in my own earthly contented way.
Oh brother, how can an ordinary, regular person like myself ever answer the question after
all of that, Impossible, I don't have all of those pretty words to put on paper, everything I
think is in my head and heart, and doesn't come out through my fingers, in such a
fancy style, sorry,
You win, i'll just keep on keepin on, in my own earthly contented way.
Mighty Intellect
Posts: 1,902
Location: Northern California
Location: Northern California
February 4th, 2007, 10:32 AM
Peace>>>AJ
Quoting talloola
After all that, would you say it is pointless? I mean what is there left to consider?
Oh brother, how can an ordinary, regular person like myself ever answer the question after
all of that, Impossible, I don't have all of those pretty words to put on paper, everything I
think is in my head and heart, and doesn't come out through my fingers, in such a
fancy style, sorry,
You win, i'll just keep on keepin on, in my own earthly contented way.
all of that, Impossible, I don't have all of those pretty words to put on paper, everything I
think is in my head and heart, and doesn't come out through my fingers, in such a
fancy style, sorry,
You win, i'll just keep on keepin on, in my own earthly contented way.
Peace>>>AJ
Knows No Bounds
Posts: 2,650
Location: Vancouver Island
Location: Vancouver Island
February 4th, 2007, 11:52 AM
was more, you would add that to the list, and say after all that, is it pointless, and on and on.
It could have been, that we never would have had "life" and would have never know all the
happiness and pleasures and advantages of "living" period if our earth had not "lived", but it did
and we're here, and it's good to be alive.
I guess you will be satisfied when you actually "see" your god jump out and show himseslf, and
if that ever happened for you, then you could say to him "now what".
Quoting look3467
With all we have, you say it's "pointless", enjoy what we have, what more do you want, and if there
After all that, would you say it is pointless? I mean what is there left to consider?
Peace>>>AJ
Peace>>>AJ
was more, you would add that to the list, and say after all that, is it pointless, and on and on.
It could have been, that we never would have had "life" and would have never know all the
happiness and pleasures and advantages of "living" period if our earth had not "lived", but it did
and we're here, and it's good to be alive.
I guess you will be satisfied when you actually "see" your god jump out and show himseslf, and
if that ever happened for you, then you could say to him "now what".
Knows No Bounds
Posts: 3,399
Videos: 2
Location: 50° 30' N, 104° 38' W
Videos: 2
Location: 50° 30' N, 104° 38' W
February 4th, 2007, 12:27 PM
Quoting look3467
I think that's the answer to your question. We make our own meanings and purposes, and the point is to find merit and value in what we do and in our relationships with others. A life without those is certainly pointless, and a life with them has joy in it for however long it lasts. That's all there is, as far as I know.
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Mighty Intellect
Posts: 1,902
Location: Northern California
Location: Northern California
February 5th, 2007, 10:30 AM
Life without God is nothing but an illusion. According to the wisest man ever lived, one who understood the in and outs of life, one who tried everything under the sun, one who observed all that this life could give, that unless God was in it, this life would just only exist.
Now watch to whom it addresses here, both the religious folks and the non-religious folks: no difference.
Ecc 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
And the hope there is in being a human in the flesh, to be able to experience all things as mentioned and yet have hope of salvation from it all:
Ecc 9:4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
I am given to understand by all this that life is a privilege! We are given a privilege to experience life with all its consequences, without the death penalty looming over our heads.
That regardless of how hard we try to know it all, or nothing at all, life is still the same to all.
What is the difference then? The difference is knowing who we are in God!
I know who I am with respect to God, and am honored that He would even consider me worthy of any respect.
So I live in the midst of this world, yet know who I am.
Therefore this world has no hold on me, my soul or my spirit.
I can love as God loves even though evil is present in me to do. But in God I have overcome this presence of evil and am victorious over it in the midst of the trial.
I am tested everyday. I am victorious everyday.
All that this world has to offer, then is an illusion, a trial of illusions, and through the sufferings of it, I find the real me.
I am worthy now of , His love, His concern because I now know that I am His Son. One of many, but His Son.
For Jesus is that Son, I am in.
Peace>>>AJ
Quoting china
You hit the nail on the head!
The way I can understand the book of Ecc......"unless you know who you are ...everything is an illussion(vanity).
Life without God is nothing but an illusion. According to the wisest man ever lived, one who understood the in and outs of life, one who tried everything under the sun, one who observed all that this life could give, that unless God was in it, this life would just only exist.
Now watch to whom it addresses here, both the religious folks and the non-religious folks: no difference.
Ecc 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
And the hope there is in being a human in the flesh, to be able to experience all things as mentioned and yet have hope of salvation from it all:
Ecc 9:4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
I am given to understand by all this that life is a privilege! We are given a privilege to experience life with all its consequences, without the death penalty looming over our heads.
That regardless of how hard we try to know it all, or nothing at all, life is still the same to all.
What is the difference then? The difference is knowing who we are in God!
I know who I am with respect to God, and am honored that He would even consider me worthy of any respect.
So I live in the midst of this world, yet know who I am.
Therefore this world has no hold on me, my soul or my spirit.
I can love as God loves even though evil is present in me to do. But in God I have overcome this presence of evil and am victorious over it in the midst of the trial.
I am tested everyday. I am victorious everyday.
All that this world has to offer, then is an illusion, a trial of illusions, and through the sufferings of it, I find the real me.
I am worthy now of , His love, His concern because I now know that I am His Son. One of many, but His Son.
For Jesus is that Son, I am in.
Peace>>>AJ
Knows No Bounds
Posts: 2,650
Location: Vancouver Island
Location: Vancouver Island
February 5th, 2007, 11:35 AM
[quote=look3467;780030]You hit the nail on the head!
Life without God is nothing but an illusion. According to the wisest man ever lived, one who understood the in and outs of life, one who tried everything under the sun, one who observed all that this life could give, that unless God was in it, this life would just only exist.
The ideas you portray are just fine for those who believe in god, or have some idea that they will
be going somewhere else after death.
But I, and many others do not, so all of those theories are irrelevent, as we don't expect to go
anywhere else after death, we will be staying here on this earth where we started, and that is
a very comfortable feeling, as it is our home in life and death.
[quote=look3467;780030]You hit the nail on the head!
Life without God is nothing but an illusion. According to the wisest man ever lived, one who understood the in and outs of life, one who tried everything under the sun, one who observed all that this life could give, that unless God was in it, this life would just only exist.
The ideas you portray are just fine for those who believe in god, or have some idea that they will
be going somewhere else after death.
But I, and many others do not, so all of those theories are irrelevent, as we don't expect to go
anywhere else after death, we will be staying here on this earth where we started, and that is
a very comfortable feeling, as it is our home in life and death.
