EGW WritingsEcclesiastes 8

Conflict and Courage

A Late Awakening, July 9

CC 196.1

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11.

CC 196.2

By his own bitter experience, Solomon learned the emptiness of a life that seeks in earthly things its highest good. He erected altars to heathen gods, only to learn how vain is their promise of rest to the spirit. Gloomy and soul-harassing thoughts troubled him night and day. For him there was no longer any joy of life or peace of mind, and the future was dark with despair.

CC 196.3

Yet the Lord forsook him not. By messages of reproof and by severe judgments, He sought to arouse the king to a realization of the sinfulness of his course.... At last the Lord, through a prophet, delivered to Solomon the startling message: ... “I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.”

CC 196.4

Awakened as from a dream by this sentence of judgment pronounced against him and his house, Solomon with quickened conscience began to see his folly in its true light. Chastened in spirit, with mind and body enfeebled, he turned wearied and thirsting from earth’s broken cisterns, to drink once more at the fountain of life.... He could never hope to escape the blasting results of sin; he could never free his mind from all remembrance of the self-indulgent course he had been pursuing; but he would endeavor earnestly to dissuade others from following after folly....

CC 196.5

The true penitent does not put his past sins from his remembrance. He does not, as soon as he has obtained peace, grow unconcerned in regard to the mistakes he has made. He thinks of those who have been led into evil by his course, and tries in every possible way to lead them back into the true path. The clearer the light that he has entered into, the stronger is his desire to set the feet of others in the right way.22Prophets and Kings, 76-78.

Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White

Chapter 32—Preparing for the Judgment

CET 185.3

Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the heavenly sanctuary, to put on garments of vengeance, and pour out His wrath in judgments upon those who have not responded to the light God has given them. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11. Instead of being softened by the patience and long forbearance that the Lord has exercised toward them, those who fear not God and love not the truth, strengthen their hearts in their evil course. But there are limits even to the forbearance of God, and many are exceeding these boundaries. They have overrun the limits of grace, and therefore God must interfere and vindicate His honor.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 123, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 123, 1897, par. 22

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] The means which the Lord has employed, in the gracious provision of His mercy, to soften and subdue the objects of His love, has, through the workings of Satan, encouraged the depraved and hardened hearts in perversity, resistance and transgression, that even as far back as the days of David led him to exclaim, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.” [Psalm 119:126, 127.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 141a, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 141a, 1897, par. 19

God looked down upon the world, and what did He see? He saw the world, that had been granted a second probation, forgetful of God, and at enmity with Him. His patience and forbearance had not led them to repentance. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] The memorial of creation, the seventh-day Sabbath, which God has sanctified and blessed, was trampled under foot by a race of rebellious subjects. Men made stringent laws to compel their fellow men to respect a false sabbath, while they themselves, though in high positions of trust, were disobedient, unthankful, unholy.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 183, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 183, 1897, par. 1

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] The means which the Lord has employed, in the gracious provision of His mercy, to soften and subdue the objects of His love, has, through the workings of Satan, encouraged the depraved and hardened hearts in perversity, resistance and transgression, that, even as far back as the days of David, led him to exclaim, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work, for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.” [Psalm 119:126, 127.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 40, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 40, 1897, par. 44

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] The Lord wills not that any man shall perish, but that all shall come to Him and be saved. But in place of the Lord’s loving-kindness softening and subduing the soul, many of the objects of His love and mercy are encouraged to more obstinately resist. O that man would consider that there is a limit to the long forbearance of God. As men throw off all restraint, and make void His law themselves, as they establish their own perverted law, and try to force the consciences of those who honor God and keep His commandments to trample the law under their feet, they will find that the tenderness which they have mocked will be exhausted.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 127, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 127, 1897, par. 20

Ere long there will be a sudden change in God’s dealings. The Lord is preparing to visit the earth, for the iniquity of men is swelling to terrible proportions. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] The Sabbath of the Bible is transgressed, and an idol sabbath framed to take its place. The common takes the place of the sacred. God’s memorial of creation is torn down, and trampled under unholy feet. “Will I not judge for these things, saith the Lord.” [Jeremiah 5:9.] The false has been placed where the true Sabbath should be, and those who have accepted this institution of Papacy with religious frenzy act as did those who thought they had Christ in their power. The priests and rulers crucified the Lord of glory because He would not accept and honor their traditions.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 89, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 89, 1898, par. 20

At the present time there are those placed as jurors, senators, lawyers, and judges, who forget that God is a party to all their transactions, and that He will call them to give account of all their injustice toward their fellow men, in causing the innocent to suffer and the guilty to escape. Men have so long done this that they have forgotten God. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] But the God of truth is a witness to every false oath, and the Holy One that inhabiteth eternity will not serve with their sins.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 76, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 76, 1898, par. 12

The Lord is long suffering, and full of compassion and love; but when the boundary lines is passed because the rebellion and obstinacy of man continues, punishment will follow the transgressor. [Deuteronomy 11:13-22; 7:6-15.] “Because sentence against an evil is not executed speedily, therefore the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] The Lord is soon to come. Wickedness and rebellion and defiance of God, violence and crime are working with a deeper, broader power, until, like the wickedness of the old world, it reaches unto heaven. The cry of the suffering and the oppressed comes up to God for justice. “How long,” says the God of Israel, “will the people provoke me? how long will it be ere they believe me?” [Numbers 14:11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 80, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 80, 1900, par. 6

“Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you.” It is set apart as My institution, to be devoted to religious service. “Everyone that defileth it shall surely be put to death.” [Verse 14.] Were the death penalty now carried out, it would deter man from wilful transgression. But “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] The Lord bears long with His rebellious human family. He gives all an opportunity to learn the truth from His Word. He has given them a probation, during which they are tested and tried. The death penalty is deferred because Christ our Saviour died in man’s behalf, giving sinful human beings another opportunity to return to their loyalty. Those who will not obey the word of God, but rank themselves with transgressors, those who bear the sign of disobedience, doing their own work on the Lord’s holy day, must at last bear the death penalty.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 124, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 124, 1901, par. 16

A perversion of right principles is a transgression of God’s law. Those who in their actions pervert the grand principles of His holy law are under condemnation, for the righteousness of Christ cannot cover one unconfessed sin. The law has been lightly regarded. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] We must obey God’s law, if we are loyal to Him and accepted by Him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 125, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 125, 1901, par. 28

In connection with wicked men, Satan has attempted to make of none effect God’s holy law. Because sentence against their evil work has not been “executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] Men are fast becoming imbued with an intense hatred of even hearing the law mentioned. They are fast approaching the bounds set by a longsuffering God. Soon the limits of His grace will be reached. Then He will interfere, vindicating His own name, and before all the world magnifying His law as holy, just, and good, as unchangeable as His own character.

Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene

Chapter 4—Relation of Diet to Health and Morals

CTBH 42.3

Thus we often find it, even in the religious world. God’s express commands are transgressed; and “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do the evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] In the face of the most positive commands of God, men and women will follow their own inclinations, and then dare to pray over the matter, to prevail upon God to allow them to go contrary to his expressed will. Satan comes to the side of such persons, as he did to Eve in Eden, and impresses them. They have an exercise of mind, and this they relate as a most wonderful experience which the Lord has given them. But true experience will be in harmony with natural and divine law; false experience arrays itself against the laws of life and the precepts of Jehovah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 24, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 24, 1901, par. 16

But there is in human nature a tendency to be unappreciative of the longsuffering of God. Men show this lack of appreciation by continuing in sin, by not hating the awful thing that made it necessary for Christ to offer Himself as a sacrifice. He died to save the sinner, not in transgression, but from transgression. But “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] “The wicked will do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand.” [Daniel 12:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 55, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 55, 1902, par. 3

How grateful we should be that the Lord is slow to anger! What a wonderful thought it is that Omnipotence puts a restraint upon His mighty power! But because the Lord is forbearing and long-suffering, the human heart often manifests a tendency to venture presumptuously to add sin to sin! If the retribution of God were to come quickly upon the transgressor, if wrongdoing were followed by sudden punishment, many would be deterred from sinning. If men and women would remember that punishment for every dishonest transaction, every evil practice, is as sure to follow as if it were executed immediately, many more would refrain from evildoing. But “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] Instead of God’s patience hardening the sinner to continual transgression, it should lead him to determine to seek God’s forgiveness, in order that the figures standing against his account in the heavenly record may be canceled.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 209, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 209, 1902, par. 11

Let us not forget that God is in earnest with us. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily; therefore the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] But God will not always keep silence. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” [Proverbs 29:1.] The Lord will be true to His Word.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 25, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 25, 1903, par. 1

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily; therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] Why does not the long forbearance of God soften the heart of the evil worker? The evil worker knows better than any one but himself how much guilt of the soul is still retained, how much evil is still practiced. In many ways the guilty soul builds itself up in assurance. In the second chapter of Revelation we read of first love forsaken. “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.” Here are good qualities that Christ accredits to the ones whom He reproves. He adds, “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” [Verses 1-5.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 243, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 243, 1904, par. 5

God sent His judgments on the institutions in Battle Creek for the purpose of scattering the many people congregated in that place. Those who counterwork the work of God, those who disregard His Word must beware lest they bring upon themselves a still more severe retribution. The Lord’s long forbearance has been interpreted by some to mean that there was no special need for repentance. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 223, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 223, 1904, par. 5

God sent His judgments on the institutions at Battle Creek for the purpose of scattering the many people congregated in that place. Those who counterwork the work of God, those who disregard His Word must beware lest they bring upon themselves a still more severe retribution. The Lord’s long forbearance has been interpreted by some to mean that there was no special need for repentance. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 83, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 83, 1904, par. 9

The Word of God plainly marks out the course of action that all are to follow. Those who give no heed to this Word, but press on in the path of transgression, paying no attention to the commandments of God, must at last suffering the punishment of their sin. God bears long with those who disregard the laws of His kingdom. He gives them greater and still greater opportunities to repent. Nothing is left undone to lead them to acknowledge that “man’s chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.” The Lord’s longsuffering mercy ought to lead them to repentance. But because sin does not meet with immediate retribution, sinners become bold and defiant in transgression. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.]

Counsels on Health

Temptation Through Appetite

CH 109.1

Thus we often find it, even in the religious world. God’s expressed commands are transgressed; and “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11. In the face of the most positive commands of God, men and women will follow their own inclinations, and then dare to pray over the matter, to prevail upon God to allow them to go contrary to His expressed will. Satan comes to the side of such persons, as he did to Eve in Eden, and impresses them. They have an exercise of mind, and this they relate as a most wonderful experience which the Lord has given them. But true experience will be in harmony with natural and divine law; false experience arrays itself against the laws of life and the precepts of Jehovah.

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 10—The Tower of Babel

PP 123.4

There are tower builders in our time. Infidels construct their theories from the supposed deductions of sciences, and reject the revealed word of God. They presume to pass sentence upon God’s moral government; they despise His law and boast of the sufficiency of human reason. Then, “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11.

The Upward Look

Our Long-suffering God, January 27

UL 41.2

How grateful we should be that the Lord is slow to anger! What a wonderful thought it is, that Omnipotence puts a restraint upon His mighty power! But because the Lord is forbearing and long-suffering, the human heart often manifests a tendency to venture presumptuously to add sin to sin! ... “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Instead of God’s patience hardening the sinner to continual transgression, it should lead him to determine to seek God’s forgiveness, in order that the figures standing against his account in the heavenly record may be canceled....

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

The Seal of God

2TT 62.3

Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the heavenly sanctuary to put on garments of vengeance and pour out His wrath in judgments upon those who have not responded to the light God has given them. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11. Instead of being softened by the patience and long forbearance that the Lord has exercised toward them, those who fear not God and love not the truth strengthen their hearts in their evil course. But there are limits even to the forbearance of God, and many are exceeding these boundaries. They have overrun the limits of grace, and therefore God must interfere and vindicate His own honor.

From Eternity Past

God’s Purpose in Changing Their Language

EP 72.4

There are tower builders in our time. Infidels presume to pass sentence upon God’s moral government. They despise His law and boast of the sufficiency of human reason. Then, “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 33, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 33, 1893, par. 13

Well, we see the wrath of God is pouring out upon the world for the disrespect for His holy law, which has made the world a second Sodom. God has borne long and “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the hearts of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] Nevertheless the Lord will punish the transgressors of His law, and He will do terrible things in righteousness. We who claim to believe the truth need to walk humbly with God. All self-sufficiency and self-confidence and uplifting will bring only one result, God will leave the human being to his own weakness, to walk in the sparks of his own kindling and lie down in sorrow because he has not made God his trust, and followed in the path of humble obedience.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 50, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 50, 1893, par. 29

But Belshazzar lifted himself up against the Lord. “Thou ... hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven.” [Daniel 5:22, 23.] “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11.] Too often the patience and forbearance of God makes transgressors bold and unimpressible.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 5—Solomon’s Repentance

PK 78.3

Solomon acknowledged that “the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart.” Ecclesiastes 9:3. And again he declared, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him: but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.” Ecclesiastes 8:11-13.

The Great Controversy

Chapter 15—The Bible and the French Revolution

GC 286.1

When France publicly rejected God and set aside the Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so long desired—a kingdom free from the restraints of the law of God. Because sentence against an evil work was not speedily executed, therefore the heart of the sons of men was “fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11. But the transgression of a just and righteous law must inevitably result in misery and ruin. Though not visited at once with judgments, the wickedness of men was nevertheless surely working out their doom. Centuries of apostasy and crime had been treasuring up wrath against the day of retribution; and when their iniquity was full, the despisers of God learned too late that it is a fearful thing to have worn out the divine patience. The restraining Spirit of God, which imposes a check upon the cruel power of Satan, was in a great measure removed, and he whose only delight is the wretchedness of men was permitted to work his will. Those who had chosen the service of rebellion were left to reap its fruits until the land was filled with crimes too horrible for pen to trace. From devastated provinces and ruined cities a terrible cry was heard—a cry of bitterest anguish. France was shaken as if by an earthquake. Religion, law, social order, the family, the state, and the church—all were smitten down by the impious hand that had been lifted against the law of God. Truly spoke the wise man: “The wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.” “Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him: but it shall not be well with the wicked.” Proverbs 11:5; Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13. “They hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord;” “therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” Proverbs 1:29, 31.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 15—The Bible and the French Revolution

GC88 285.5

When France publicly prohibited the Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so long desired,—a kingdom free from the restraints of the law of God. Because sentence against an evil work was not speedily executed, therefore the heart of the sons of men was “fully set in them to do evil.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11-13.] But the transgression of a just and righteous law must inevitably result in misery and ruin. Though not visited at once with judgments, the wickedness of men was nevertheless surely working out their doom. Centuries of apostasy and crime had been treasuring up wrath against the day of retribution; and when their iniquity was full, the despisers of God learned too late that it is a fearful thing to have worn out the divine patience. The restraining Spirit of God, which imposes a check upon the cruel power of Satan, was in a great measure removed, and he whose only delight is the wretchedness of men, was permitted to work his will. Those who had chosen the service of rebellion, were left to reap its fruits, until the land was filled with crimes too horrible for pen to trace. From devastated provinces and ruined cities a terrible cry was heard,—a cry of bitterest anguish. France was shaken as if by an earthquake. Religion, law, social order, the family, the State, and the Church,—all were smitten down by the impious hand that had been lifted against the law of God. Truly spake the wise man: “The wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.” “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him; but it shall not be well with the wicked.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11-13.] “They hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord;” “therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” [Proverbs 1:29, 31.]

The Great Controversy

Chapter 33—The First Great Deception

GC 540.3

The Lord declares by the prophet Isaiah: “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him.” “Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isaiah 3:10, 11. “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times,” says the wise man, “and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him: but it shall not be well with the wicked.” Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13. And Paul testifies that the sinner is treasuring up unto himself “wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds;” “tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil.” Romans 2:5, 6, 9.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 33—The First Great Deception

GC88 540.4

The Lord declares by the prophet Isaiah, “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him.” “Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” [Isaiah 3:10, 11.] “Though a sinner do evil a hundred times,” says the wise man, “and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him; but it shall not be well with the wicked.” [Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13.] And Paul testifies that the sinner is treasuring up unto himself “wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds;” “tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil.” [Romans 2:5, 6, 9.]

From Splendor to Shadow

Solomon Acknowledges His Sin

SS 41.5

Solomon acknowledged that “the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart.” “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, ... but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days.” Ecclesiastes 9:3; 8:12, 13.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 111, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 111, 1893, par. 4

“If ye fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. ... for he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy.” [Verses 8, 9, 13.] <May the Lord pity the deceived souls.> If it were known that the Lord would visit with immediate punishment the wrongs committed against Jesus in the person of his saints, many would fear to work the injuries that now are so common. From selfish motives, to avoid punishment, many would exercise great care in keeping the letter of the law, who now seem unmoved by entreaties, exhortations, warnings and prayers; for they do not make permanent reformation. But although punishment is delayed for a time, yet it will come, for the Lord has declared, “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: but it shall not be well with the wicked.” [Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13.]

From Here to Forever

Conditions Are Specified

HF 332.2

“It shall not be well with the wicked.” Ecclesiastes 8:13. The sinner is treasuring up unto himself “wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds,” “tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil.” Romans 2:5, 6, 9.

The Great Hope (Condensed)

Conditions Are Specified

GrH_c 16.4

“It shall not be well with the wicked.” Ecclesiastes 8:13. The sinner is treasuring up unto himself “wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds,” “tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil.” Romans 2:5, 6, 9.

Radiant Religion

Is a Christian Grace, May 20

RRe 142.1

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15.