In Ecclesiastes 9, Solomon made a powerful and humbling observation. All are going to die. It does not matter if the person was righteous or wicked. Such will not change the course set up by God. It is His plan that all will die (Hebrews 9:27), except for those who are alive when Christ comes again (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
In Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, Solomon made a number of observations about death, which also need to be considered in light of a number of erroneous doctrines being taught by the religious world today. First, Solomon stated that “the dead do not know anything.” This statement has led some to argue for an unconscious state for the dead and for others to conclude that the wicked dead are annihilated. Such doctrines clearly contradict plain biblical teaching, which demonstrate continued existence and awareness for the dead (Isaiah 14:9; Luke 16:19-31). Instead, Solomon was noting that the dead are ignorant of what is taking place on the earth (“under the sun,” v. 6). Whatever activities transpire after they died are beyond their knowledge. This truth should defeat a number of erroneous practices today.
(1) There is no biblical support to pray to the dead. The dead (even those declared as “saints”) are unable to hear, let alone answer, one’s prayers. Our access to God is found only through Christ (1 Timothy 2:5).
(2) There is no biblical support to attempt to contact the dead. There are those who claim to have powers to bring up the dead for conversation, help or advice. Such séances are worthless because the dead have no knowledge of or contact with the living.
(3) There is no biblical support to worship the dead. Archeology has discovered countless cultures that offered sacrifices, libations, food, tools and money to their dead. There is abundant evidence of shrines and other places of worship built to worship the dead.
(4) There is no biblical support for the notion that our dead loved ones are aware of events that occur in our lives. While some may sing about “holes in the floor of heaven,” through which our loved ones observe our lives, the fact is the dead are not privy to earthly events, conversations and deeds.
Second, Solomon stated that the dead have no “reward” or “share in all that is done under the earth.” Time is opportunity. Once death occurs, there remains no longer opportunity to change anything. One can neither change what was done on the earth nor can he change his judgment after death. This truth also defeats a number of erroneous beliefs today.
(1) Some religious groups (e.g., Mormons) teach that religious acts (such as baptism) can be done on behalf of those who are dead. This practice supposes one who foolishly rejected God’s will during his lifetime can seize the benefits of baptism while he is suffering the punishment of God in Hell. However, the Scriptures plainly teach that each one is accountable only for his own deeds and that righteousness (or wickedness) is not transferable (Exodus 32:33; Ezekiel 18:1-20; John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-14).
(2) Some religious groups (e.g., Catholics) teach that one can, through prayers and contributions, change the condition of their loved ones. This teaching says that one who has ended up in so-called purgatory can be freed from this place through the offerings of the living. However, Solomon made it clear that death ends all opportunities to change one’s fate. A person will be judged solely upon what he has done while alive—be it good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Romans 2:6).
(3) Some religious groups teach that all will be reincarnated (e.g., Hinduism). However, Solomon made it clear that there will be no future opportunities. Each person has only one occasion to make something of his or her life. There will be no second opportunities as one supposedly comes back reincarnated. After one dies, the next event will be Judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
