Searching the Scriptures includes "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" or properly interpreting the Truth according to what Christ has said, not according to what an unregenerated man (one who is "under the sun") has postulated.
What is the context of the misleading thought that "the dead know nothing" (Eccl 9:5)? Ecclesiastes shows us the false notions of those who are not in Christ.
Are you saying Ecclesiastes does not belong in the Bible, and is not inspired by God?
If so, on what authority do you say this?
False notions do come from those who are not in Christ... but make up apostate Christianity, which is about 99.9% of all "Christian" "churches".
DOES CHRIST SAY THIS OR DOES HE GIVE REAL MEANING TO LIFE?
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
What Solomon meant here is explained to the reader that does more than just a superficial reading, or just picks out lines of text, without considering the context.
Everything is indeed vanity.
The Congregator's words are indeed, in harmony with truth in God's word.
For
the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Romans 8:20
Is Paul also not in Christ?
What about David? Is he too a false messenger? Psalms 39:5; Psalms 144:4
Ecclesiastes 1:12-15
13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
How rightfully he spoke... all in line with the truth of all the scriptures.
WERE THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST SOMETHING "NEW" UNDER THE SUN?
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
WHEN A SINNER IS CONVERTED, IS THE "CROOKED" MADE "STRAIGHT"?
That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
After pointing out the futility that he himself saw, and which we ourselves see, and experience, Solomon concluded with many more words of wisdom.
Chapter 11
1
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child:
even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
6
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
7
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
10
Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Chapter 12
1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher;
all is vanity.
9 And moreover,
because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further,
by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
The Congregator showed that the wise course in life is to seek God, and fear and obey him, because besides this, everything is vanity, and striving after wind.
These wise words were inspired by God, and preserved by him, so that we might read them, and benefit from divine wisdom.
As we can see Ecclesiastes has nothing to do with Gospel truth, but has everything to do with revealing the mindset of the unsaved.
No.
We do not see that. People who don't like scriptures that prove their ideas false, see that, because anything in the Bible that contradicts false beliefs, they find fault with.
Either they say it doesn't belong there, or the writer was ignorant, an unbeliever, or just plain false.
Some have called Paul, an anti-Christ. Imagine that... because Paul's writings contradict their twisting of scriptures.
It's hurtful to me when I hear such persons, honestly.
Though Jesus did warn of the false prophets, and Paul warned of those that would turn away from the truth, and teach false doctrines - apostasize, it hurts really bad, to see what such wicked men are doing to God's word.
It's true some have been misled by Satan, since they belong to his 'church', but I believe if they sincerely and humbly search for God, they will get out of false religion.