Q
Could you please interpret Ecclesiastes 9:5, “But the dead know nothing”. Is it related to our future eternal lives?
A
Since numerous passages in the Bible explain that we all have an eternal destiny where we’ll have complete awareness, Ecclesiastes 9:5 can’t be speaking of our eternity. All of Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 is earthly in its focus and says that whether we’re righteous or wicked, good or bad, clean or unclean, as long as we are alive we have hope. But when we die that ends for us. Therefore, since no one knows when the hour of his or her death will come, we should live life to the fullest extent of our ability while we have it, full of gladness and joy. Because when its over, its over.