1. The Finitude of Human Life
One of the main themes Pastor David Jang highlights in his exposition of Ecclesiastes is the finitude of human life and the resulting sense of "vanity." This, indeed, is the central message of Ecclesiastes. In the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes is classified as one of the wisdom books-alongside Proverbs-positioned after the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) and the Historical Books. Wisdom literature, within our faith, is not limited merely to intellectual knowledge; it contains fundamental insight and practical direction for life as a whole. Among these texts, Ecclesiastes stands out by directly revealing the emptiness and finitude of human life, emphasizing that "in the end, humanity must stand before the terminus of death." Pastor David Jang repeatedly explains the spiritual significance of this emptiness (vanity) of life, insisting that, on this very foundation, we should learn true wisdom.
Ecclesiastes begins and ends with the declaration, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity" (Eccles. 1:2; 12:8). In English, it is often translated as "Meaningless," but Pastor David Jang stresses that the more accurate understanding involves an insight into how what appears to be something (有) ultimately returns to nothing (無). No matter how much knowledge, pleasure, or wealth a person accumulates on this earth, it all ends up as nothingness in the end-this is the consistent message running throughout Ecclesiastes. In particular, Ecclesiastes chapter 1 points out the vanity of human knowledge; chapter 2 points out the vanity of bodily pleasures and wealth. But this is not a passive claim that humans "must possess nothing." Rather, it aims to bring us to realize what is truly most precious.
Pastor David Jang identifies "time" as that which is most precious. Because human life is limited, what we live for and how we live during our allotted time becomes a matter of eternal significance. Though in life we may achieve many possessions, accomplishments, and human relationships, ultimately we cannot take them with us in death. Scripture proclaims, "It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27), teaching that death is an unalterable end for us all. Therefore, any teaching that claims "we will not die" or "we can avoid death" is false; everyone inevitably faces the end of time, i.e., death.
Pastor David Jang underscores that recognizing our finitude as humans should by no means lead to a pessimistic nihilism. On the contrary, acknowledging this fact grants us true wisdom and spiritual awakening. Confronted by the truth that worldly possessions and pleasures ultimately return to nothing (無), we gain a chance to reexamine our lives. Once we realize that nothing we chase after is eternal, we naturally develop a longing for that which is eternal. This yearning is intrinsic to our nature and is the "gift of God." As Ecclesiastes 3:11 puts it, "He has also set eternity in their heart." When explaining this verse, Pastor David Jang says, "Animals do not contemplate the meaning of their existence, but the human soul, like a deer that longs for streams of water, seeks God." Indeed, in the animal kingdom, there is no quest for meaning beyond death or for order in the universe. Yet humans are constantly reflecting on the meaning of life, where they come from, and where they are going-thus an innate longing for God naturally emerges.
According to Pastor David Jang's teachings, this longing for eternity is a trace and power placed within the human soul by God. As we study the universe, as we observe the intricate harmony in nature, and as we reflect on human society and history, we come to recognize a transcendent Creator beyond human capacity. Even many scientists, he notes, feel awe and tremble before the vastness and precision of the universe. Such awe and trembling, experienced by those who realize their creaturely status, can mark the beginning of faith, as many religious scholars assert. Romans 1:20 also states, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made," opening the way for us to discover God the Designer through nature and the cosmos. Pastor David Jang says that receiving this understanding from childhood helps form a proper view of faith.
Additionally, there is another crucial aspect of human nature-humans are not only physical but also spiritual beings. Through the theme of "vanity," Ecclesiastes warns us not to fixate on money, pleasure, honor, and other things to which we cling too easily, and also conveys the message that we must prepare for what comes after death. Pastor David Jang refers to this by saying, "To truly live, you must 'know death,' and only by facing death do you discover the real meaning of life." Since death puts an end to all possessions and pleasures, we cannot help but seek "what comes next." In turn, our longing for the eternal world deepens.
Pastor David Jang notes that the expression "vanity" in Ecclesiastes is contextually equivalent to declaring "you will die" over and over. If we replace "vanity, vanity" with "you die, you die, you will die again," we grasp just how direct and heartrending the message of Ecclesiastes really is. However, the author of Ecclesiastes deliberately used the term "vanity" because it conveys, in a more refined way, that "humanity lives in time but must ultimately confront the end of that time." This is precisely the limit of humanity, and Ecclesiastes pinpoints that fact with accuracy and sobriety.
In the end, no one can escape death. The conclusion of human life is indeed that "D-day" we call death. We do not know when it will come, but everyone must stand before God. Furthermore, Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven," indicating that human affairs do not unfold randomly. God has set a precise timing and purpose for all things, and Ecclesiastes teaches that within His providence we must live while recognizing our finitude.
Thus, even as Pastor David Jang emphasizes the central message of Ecclesiastes-"the emptiness (nothingness) of life" and "the inevitability of death"-he also insists that our insight into these truths must not end in despair. Instead, once we understand emptiness, we long for what is eternal, and only those who understand death can truly appreciate life. Therefore, Ecclesiastes 3:11, which says, "He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart," presents us with the possibility and hope that humanity, rather than remaining in emptiness, can move toward eternity.
Pastor David Jang goes on to compare the difference between an atheist and a theist, pointing out how burdensome life is if one must create one's own norm in a universe without God. If there is no God, then life and the universe lack purpose, and humans are left in the daunting position of having to arbitrarily define morality and meaning. However, if we believe that God exists, we come face-to-face with the truth that "God created us with a purpose." Just as we have a purpose when we create a cup, so our existence surely has a purpose. By creating human beings and, finally, woman, God demonstrates the intention and love invested in this "crowning masterpiece," Pastor David Jang explains.
In particular, Pastor David Jang frequently mentions a crucial theological message: "God has chosen us." This doctrine of election is evidence of the mission and calling He has given us. God has chosen us, appointing us, as Jesus said, to be "fishers of men." If we forget this calling and remain enslaved by money and material things, that is the exact opposite of the true Christian path. Quoting "the blind cannot lead the blind," Pastor David Jang repeatedly emphasizes that Christians must first know the truth and overcome worldly desires in order to guide others.
Pastor David Jang proposes two main methods to "overcome possessions." First, discover your "true possession." As Peter and John said in Acts 3:6, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you," it is crucial to recognize that we already possess something far more valuable and eternal than material wealth-namely, the Savior Jesus Christ, and the spiritual riches we enjoy in Him, which are salvation and eternal life. Second, we must know that there are "eternal things" in this world. Everything visible to the human eye is temporary, but by faith, the fleeting moment connects to eternity. In the concept of the "eternal now," each moment we live on this earth is understood as part of our journey toward heaven.
How then does this perspective manifest in the church community and its evangelistic ministry? Pastor David Jang regards the "Great Commission" as the beginning and end of Jesus's teaching, seeing "Become fishers of men," "Preach the gospel to the ends of the earth," and "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" as the church's essential mission. Accordingly, the church must advance into world missions, establish bases or centers on each continent, and care for people of different languages and cultures. This is the obvious duty set by Jesus's command. He says it is necessary to evangelize the various states of America and many nations, eventually reaching even the smallest countries around the globe.
Pastor David Jang illustrates this by recalling our church's history up to 2013, stating, "We had nothing." People used to ask, "When will anything become ours?" "Will we die wandering like this?" Yet during that period, we clung to Habakkuk 3:17-18, confessing that "even if we have nothing, we will rejoice in the Lord." However, in order to conduct mission work and care for believers, we needed physical spaces-a headquarters or centers-and God provided them through His providence. Pastor David Jang interprets this process as "the time of settling arrived in our 28th year," saying that God set everything up. He urges believers to teach the new generation about this history, explaining that it was built with the blood and sweat of our forebears, so that they do not mistakenly think "we've had these things from the start."
Citing Galatians 6:2-"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ"-Pastor David Jang preaches that the church community must practice devotion and sacrifice by carrying each other's burdens. Those who have received much love can love that much more, and this is "grace." We must remember that we ourselves have accomplished nothing by our own power; everything is by God's grace. This is the power of faith, and the path the church must take is one of self-emptying service to save even one more soul.
Throughout the year, Pastor David Jang also frequently mentions the significance of the coming of Jesus Christ (Christmas). Although we think we know it all too well, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16) is truly the essence of the Christian faith and a summary of the gospel. Jesus's love was not a fleeting passion; He never abandoned us, and for that we should respond with gratitude and joy.
So, while Pastor David Jang speaks candidly in his exposition of Ecclesiastes about the finitude and emptiness of human life, he does not leave the message to end in despair or depression. Rather, he shows how awareness of vanity leads us to yearn for eternity, and how only those who know death can truly enjoy life. Accordingly, Ecclesiastes 3:11-"He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart"-reveals the possibility and hope that people can move from emptiness toward what is eternal.
Furthermore, Pastor David Jang compares the difference between atheism and theism, asking how painful it must be to establish one's own norm (normative standard) for living if God does not exist. Without God, the purpose of life and the universe disappears, and we experience a daunting void where all morality and meaning must be arbitrarily determined by humans. But if we believe that God exists, we encounter the truth that "God created us for a purpose." Just as there is a purpose in making a cup, so there is undoubtedly a purpose in our existence. He says that God's final act in creation-creating woman-symbolizes the intention and love embedded in His "greatest masterpiece."
Pastor David Jang especially emphasizes an important theological message: "God has chosen us." This doctrine of election is proof of the calling and mission given to us by God. According to the words of Jesus, God has chosen us and made us "fishers of men." Yet if we forget this calling and keep living as slaves of money and material possessions, that is the exact opposite of the true Christian way. Quoting "Can a blind man lead a blind man?" he frequently warns that Christians must themselves first know the truth and overcome worldly desires so that they can guide others.
Pastor David Jang's method for "overcoming possessions" is presented in two major points. First, find your "real possession." As Peter and John declared in Acts 3:6, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you," we must realize that God has already given us something much more precious and eternal than real wealth-namely Jesus Christ, the Savior, and the spiritual abundance we have in Him, namely salvation and eternal life. Second, we should recognize that there is indeed something "eternal" in this world. Everything visible is temporary, but in faith, a moment can connect to eternity, and within the concept of an "eternal now," every moment we live is part of our journey to heaven.
How does this recognition manifest within the church community and in evangelism? Pastor David Jang sees the "Great Commission" as both the beginning and the end of Jesus's teachings, insisting that "Become fishers of men," "Preach the gospel to the ends of the earth," and "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" are the essential tasks of the church. Therefore, for the church to move toward world missions, to establish main offices or centers on each continent, and to serve those of different cultures and languages, is the obvious calling. He says that we must evangelize across the United States, in many other countries, and eventually in the smaller nations as well; it is Jesus's clear mandate.
Reflecting on the history of our church up to 2013, Pastor David Jang mentions, "We had nothing back then." People would ask, "When will we have something of our own?" "Are we going to die wandering like this?" Yet in those days, we held on to Habakkuk 3:17-18, confessing that "even if we have nothing, we rejoice in the Lord." However, as mission work expands and the number of believers increases, we do need physical spaces, such as headquarters or centers. God granted that as part of His providence. Pastor David Jang interprets this as "the 28th year was the appointed time for us to settle," saying that God set everything in place. He teaches that it is crucial to convey this history to the younger generation, emphasizing that our forebears built this with their blood and sweat, so the next generation does not take it for granted as if it has always been there.
Citing Galatians 6:2-"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ"-Pastor David Jang preaches that in the church community, we must practice devotion and sacrifice by carrying each other's burdens. Those who have received much love can show much love in return; that is "grace." We must never forget that we ourselves did not achieve anything by our own strength-everything was accomplished by God's grace. This is the power of faith, and "emptying oneself" and dedicating oneself to save even one more soul is the path the church must take.
Moreover, Pastor David Jang, synchronized with the church calendar, frequently explains the meaning of the coming of Jesus Christ (Christmas). Though everyone assumes they understand it, in reality, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16) is the essence of the Christian faith and the summary of the gospel. Jesus's love was not a momentary fervor, and He did not abandon us to the end; thus we should be filled with gratitude and awe.
In this way, Pastor David Jang, while speaking frankly through Ecclesiastes about the finitude of human life and its emptiness, makes it clear that the message does not end in despair or gloom but rather prompts us toward longing for eternity and a sense of calling, culminating in the fulfillment of the Great Commission through the church. Recognizing emptiness and death, in fact, serves as a gateway to holding on to eternity and divine calling; by looking to the eternal kingdom, we gain freedom from the shackles of limited time and possessions, and at the same time learn to live with greater responsibility. Ultimately, this aligns with Pastor David Jang's constant emphasis on "overcoming possessions" and "yearning for eternity," and it becomes the reason and motivation for the church to function as salt and light in the world.
2. Yearning for Eternity
Pastor David Jang takes the insights gained from the wisdom books (particularly Proverbs and Ecclesiastes) and frames them as wisdom for "practical faith." The central key here is how to harmonize the message of Proverbs-"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (wisdom)" (Prov. 1:7)-with the main theme of Ecclesiastes, "vanity." Simply becoming aware of human finitude or our inability to escape death is not enough. It is only when we stand between finitude, emptiness, and our longing for eternity, fearing God and following His will, that we arrive at true wisdom. This is both Pastor David Jang's argument and the teaching of Scripture.
First, Pastor David Jang focuses on the exhortation, "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth" (Eccles. 12:1). If one waits until old age to seek the Creator, one ends up lamenting over the years and opportunities forever lost. There are spans of time we simply cannot reclaim once youth has passed. In the latter part of Ecclesiastes 12, it vividly depicts the realities of old age-eyes growing dim, teeth missing, hearing failing, and legs trembling. Through this depiction, Ecclesiastes urges us to remember and revere our Creator "while we still live," "while we still have strength," and "from our youth." Connecting this to today's evangelistic and mission fields, Pastor David Jang uniquely urges, "If possible, evangelize a person by their seventh year of life, or at least before they turn thirty." He sees young people as more open-hearted, filled with passion and purity, and thus more likely to discover God's calling early and form a Christian family within the church.
Of course, this does not mean disregarding the need to evangelize older people. In fact, Pastor David Jang points out that when older adults encounter the gospel, many weep and repent intensely because of their regret at having "let so much time slip away." Nevertheless, the teaching of Ecclesiastes focuses on devoting one's youth to remembering the Creator so that one can spend a longer portion of life on the path of faith and thus bear greater fruit. This, he insists, is wisdom and the admonition of Ecclesiastes.
Second, Pastor David Jang emphasizes that we must discern correctly the "appointed time" (Eccles. 3:1 and onward) spoken of in Ecclesiastes. "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven." Everything in life has its "when, how, and why," each event with its purpose and reason. We need the wisdom to recognize the right time at every moment, and therein lies the key to living a successful and meaningful life. Pastor David Jang explains it by differentiating between "Time" and "Date." Time refers to quantitative time, while Date suggests a qualitative moment. When Ecclesiastes says, "There is a time for every purpose under heaven," it is speaking of that qualitative moment-"Date." For example, in all the different phases of life, if we obey God at the "Date" He has set, only then will we live "beautifully in its time," just as Ecclesiastes 3:11 says.
This discernment is also necessary in the church community. Whether it be in missions, training systems, worship, discipleship, or sending out missionaries around the world, if the church misses the right time and season, its work can be delayed or even fail. Pastor David Jang testifies, "In the 28th year, at a certain point," God granted the establishment of headquarters and centers, "nine presbyteries were established, and centers on each continent were put in place." He sees this as precisely matching Ecclesiastes 3:11-"He has made everything appropriate in its time"-meaning that God accomplishes His prepared work in His appointed time, regardless of human plans.
What is crucial here is that the church's leaders and ministers must first possess the "spiritual sensitivity to know the times." If they delay or miss the timing God has set for certain tasks, the entire community suffers and the collective joy is deferred. Pastor David Jang often says, "If something needs to be done in December, you cannot postpone it to January," urging believers to stay awake in prayer, unite as a faith community, and work together to finish well (to achieve "a beautiful end").
Third, Pastor David Jang shares a variety of illustrations and Scripture verses to teach a faith perspective that "overcomes possessions." In reality, once people walk out the church doors, it is all too easy for them to become slaves to Mammon-money and material wealth. However, a genuine Christian should first look inward and realize that "there is something even more real"-Jesus Christ and the spiritual treasure He offers-and know how to share this treasure. As Peter declares in Acts 3:6, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you," we must not lose sight of the fact that we possess a "gospel" far more valuable than earthly riches.
Furthermore, only when a person recognizes "eternal things" does he or she cease to cling merely to fleeting momentary concerns and gain a transcendent perspective. Pastor David Jang mentions a theologian's sermons called The Eternal Now, explaining that "when we ask if we are dying a bit more each day or living a bit more each day," the answer to transcending the tragedy of death is found in "eternal life and heaven." When a person believes that life on earth is not everything, there emerges a holy assurance and boldness regarding the future. This joy and freedom stemming from faith is the driving force that frees us from our entanglement with possessions.
With this power, the church must go into the world to preach the gospel, fulfilling Jesus's core command-the Great Commission. Pastor David Jang describes it as "the beginning and the end of Jesus's words," referencing "Become fishers of men," "Preach the gospel to the ends of the earth," and "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" as the central mission that the church must hold onto. He specifically mentions evangelizing "C12 countries," "G20 countries," and then reaching even the smallest nations, arguing that the United States and its 50 states should first evangelize Africa in pursuit of God's kingdom covering the globe.
Pastor David Jang also quotes Galatians 6:2-"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ"-to say that, within the church community, members must serve and care for one another by sharing burdens. Many people try to shift their heavy, cumbersome loads onto others, but the true posture of the church is one of mutual support and consideration-of carrying each other's burdens. This directly aligns with the gospel principle "we love as much as we have been loved." Those who have received abundant grace become more dedicated to caring for others, allowing the entire church to be renewed into a community distinctly different from the world.
Ecclesiastes does not depict old age and the end of human life in such vivid terms to make people depressed or despondent. Rather, while we live in time, we are ultimately destined to step beyond time, and it delivers the message: "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. Do not be trapped in a life of vanity, but look to the eternal. God has placed eternity in your heart." Pastor David Jang ties this directly to churches and believers today, saying, "We are those who know the truth and live by it. God has made everything appropriate in its time, and calls us into eternity. Therefore, do not delay; do what must be done now, and finish well."
The greatest power that makes such practice possible is, ultimately, the recognition of "God's grace." Pastor David Jang reiterates that everything we have achieved was accomplished by God's grace alone: the church buildings, the establishment of multiple presbyteries, and so on, are all under God's guidance. No matter how hard humans try, if God does not allow it, we cannot move even a single step. We must not forget that a church founded upon the gospel must continue to stand upon the gospel.
As Christmas approaches-a season foreshadowed in John 3:16, the essential message of the gospel-Pastor David Jang frequently reminds believers that "The coming of Jesus Christ is the event in which God loved us to the very end." Anyone who truly grasps this grace and love can apply the prophet Habakkuk's confession-"Even if we have nothing, yet I will rejoice in the Lord"-to their own lives. Ultimately, rather than leading to emptiness or despair, this directs us toward grace, thanksgiving, and hope in God.
In summary, Pastor David Jang expands the message of Ecclesiastes in two key directions. First, every human being must recognize the inescapable limit of death and the fact that possessions and wealth ultimately return to nothing (無). Realizing such emptiness actually directs our souls toward God, focusing us on that which truly matters (eternity). Second, when this realization becomes actualized within the church community, it leads us to a freedom beyond possessions, a communal love (Gal. 6:2), and worldwide missions (the Great Commission). Ultimately, this is about discerning God's appointed times and seasons and obeying in the moment we have. It is the posture of believers who, looking to God's eternal kingdom, live faithfully in the present.
Pastor David Jang often uses the phrase "finishing well" (유종의 미). As we approach the end of a given period-perhaps the year's end-once we have fulfilled all that we have been called to do, we experience a profound sense of joy. Though people eventually die, even in the face of death we can say, "Having fulfilled God's calling, there is nothing left but to enter heaven." With that mindset, life no longer seems empty or futile. Rather, through the words "There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every event under heaven" (Eccles. 3:1), we gain assurance that God has a purpose and plan for all things.
What Pastor David Jang consistently emphasizes is that only when we stand on the sober reality of our limitations-especially death, the somber theme of Ecclesiastes-do we finally perceive the true purpose of life, progressing toward eternity and salvation. And it is the church community, helping us remain on that path, in which people carry each other's burdens and pass on a spiritual inheritance and history to raise the next generation. Thus, the "vanity" highlighted in Ecclesiastes is not a conclusion of "meaninglessness." The question "Does everything return to nothing?" leads to the answer "Therefore, we must hold on to the eternal God," which Pastor David Jang identifies as the very purpose of the author of Ecclesiastes.
Therefore, the theological significance of Ecclesiastes-centered on "insight into the finitude and emptiness of human life"-along with the practical application of "overcoming possessions, seeking eternity, and fulfilling the Great Commission," is the core content that Pastor David Jang has persistently emphasized in his comprehensive sermons and teachings on Ecclesiastes. As a result, the message of Ecclesiastes does not land in pessimism or cynicism but instead challenges us to live joyfully today, aspiring to eternal life and the kingdom of heaven. This, Pastor David Jang asserts, is why Ecclesiastes' message still powerfully resonates with Christians in our time. According to his teachings, the "vanity" of Ecclesiastes is not an end but a beginning-a beginning that opens toward God who saves us. The exhortation in Ecclesiastes 12:1-"Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth"-is, in the end, a compelling invitation to all. Confronted with that word, human beings can set aside the emptiness of worldly ambition and possessions and find new life in the eternal God. And that, Pastor David Jang insists, is the "spiritual value of Ecclesiastes" and the essence of the message he has consistently proclaimed.
