“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?... To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, & 3:1

Ecclesiastes, written almost certainly by King Solomon, contrasts life “under the sun” and life “under Heaven.” Understanding this it the key to understanding the book. The premise is simply this: If this life (under the sun) is all there is, all of life is vanity (emptiness). Life only has ultimate meaning when lived with eternity in mind (under Heaven).

The reality is that there is a God in Heaven. Therefore, those who live only for this life (under the sun), not only live in vanity, they will die to find that there is a life in Heaven after this life under Heaven.

One of the sayings often repeated by R.C. Sproul was: “Right now counts forever.” The only way to be prepared for Heaven is to live this life (“under the sun”) with eternity in mind (“under Heaven”).

The first and most essential step in living “under Heaven” is to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Acknowledge your sin and need for forgiveness. Trust in Christ (His death and resurrection) as the only way anyone will ever live “under Heaven.”