All Things Come Alike To All
📖 Ecclesiastes 9:2-6 KJV - All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. (3) This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. (4) For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. (5) For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. (6) Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
✅ Introduction
Life often feels unfair. The righteous man gets sick while the wicked man prospers. The faithful mother struggles, while the ungodly woman seems to have everything she wants. Solomon the wisest man who ever lived looked at life “under the sun” and said, “All things come alike to all.”
He wasn’t saying God is unjust. He was saying that on this side of eternity, both good and bad people share the same experiences joy and sorrow, success and loss, life and death. But what separates them isn’t what happens to them it’s how they respond in it.
1️⃣ It Once Was Perfect
📖 Genesis 1:31 KJV And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
God created a perfect world, but He also gave man free will the ability to choose. When Adam and Eve disobeyed, sin entered the world (Romans 5:12), and that sin brought pain, death, and injustice to all.
📖 Romans 5:12 KJV Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
So, when evil or tragedy strikes, it’s not that God is being unfair, it’s that mankind’s free will has unleashed a world of mixed outcomes that touch both the righteous and the wicked. But God has a plan of restoration, it’s called the Gospel, which means that those who accept the free gift of eternal life will be made alive back to the original state that God had made in the beginning.
📖 Revelation 21:3-5 KJV And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
So, in eternity it will be made perfect again, but while we are here in this sinful state of a freewill world we all face ups and downs in life as we will see next.
2️⃣ Evil Actions of others
🔥 Abel – Murdered by Jealousy
📖 Genesis 4:3-8 (KJV) And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Cain’s jealousy and anger toward Abel led him to commit the first murder in history. Abel did nothing wrong, he simply obeyed God and offered a righteous sacrifice, but evil from another’s heart took his life.
Sometimes people say, “Why didn’t God do something about it?” the reason is simple, because we live in a freewill structure.
📖 Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
God is asking us to choose what is right, and he doesn’t force it. Because God doesn't get in the way of our free will very often, good people can sometimes get hurt or die.
Now do we judge God because of it? No, as Abel is still alive in heaven.
📖 Hebrews 11:4 (KJV) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
And heaven is far greater then this world.
📖 Philippians 1:21-24 (KJV) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
This is the mindset that we should have, that heaven is the real beginning to life and this life is just temporal to prove our life in the next.
Once we understand this concept of life, then we start to clearly see why God allows these things to be.
🔥 Joseph – Betrayed by His Brothers
📖 Genesis 37:18-28 (KJV) And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. 19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. 20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. 21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. 22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. 23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; 24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. 26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. 28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Joseph’s brothers, driven by envy, sold him into slavery. Later, he was falsely accused, He suffered repeatedly because of the sins of others, yet God used it to position him to save many lives.
📖 Genesis 50:20 (KJV) But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Another way things can play out is that God uses your bad situation to teach us or help someone else, just like Jesus, who had to die for our sins.
🔥 Job – Afflicted Because of Satan’s Challenge
📖 Job 1:6-8 (KJV) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
📖 Job 1:9-12 (KJV) Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
So what we see here in this story is the evil of Satan wanting to prove to God that Job is only worshipping Him because He blessed his life. But God knew that Job was a real believer who would handle the situation and he will never take it too far you can’t handle!
📖 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Now I believe this situation is unique and I know no one who has gone to this extent as Job has for a reason because I believe the moral of the story is to show us Jobs faith to encourage us that whatever we are facing we can overcome it.
God will allow trials and testings to happen to try our faith and to mould our character.
📖 James 1:12 (KJV) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
📖 Job 23:10 (KJV) But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Another great blessing for Job is that he will have alot of blessings in eternity for the great testing of his faith, because Job handled that trial well.
📖 Job 1:22 (KJV) In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
There are alot more stories of innocent people dying for the cause of God and the bible states that they did it because their focus was on eternity.
📖 Hebrews 11:35-37 (KJV) Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Notice here that some didn’t even want to be delievered so they can have a better resurrection, This is the issue for the unsaved because there focus is only in this temporal moment and not on the real life ahead.
3️⃣ The wicked may prosper
📖 Psalms 73:3 (KJV) For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
We know that evil people to prosper as we look at this world and see evil people who run the world, but this shouldn’t move us because again our focus should be on eternity whereas theirs is not and eventuatly they will pay with their eternal life in hell.
📖 Psalms 37:1-2 (KJV) A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Thats a great fact because of how temporal our lives are, its not long till many will face eternity and it won’t be worth it. Now in saying that God is also merciful to the unsaved because he is not willing that any should perish.
📖 Luke 6:35-36 (KJV) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
So for a warning to the wicked and the evil that are prospering in their life to not take it for granted. Don’t get an attitude that God isn’t doing anything because eternity will tell and it will be too late then.
📖 Luke 12:16-21 (KJV) And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
1. Pharaoh (Exodus 1–14)
Summary: Pharaoh ruled Egypt, one of the most powerful empires in history. He oppressed God’s people, hardened his heart, and refused to obey God’s command to let Israel go.
Prosperity: He had power, wealth, and armies — seemingly untouchable.
Outcome: His pride led to ruin. God humbled him through the plagues and drowned his army in the Red Sea.
Lesson: Power without humility leads to destruction.
📖 Exodus 14:18 — “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh.”
2. King Saul (1 Samuel 9–31)
Summary: Saul started as God’s anointed king, but his jealousy, pride, and disobedience drove him away from God.
Prosperity: He had authority, influence, and success in battle early on.
Outcome: He lost God’s favor and his kingdom, dying in despair.
Lesson: Position and success can’t replace obedience and humility.
📖 1 Samuel 15:23 — “Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
3. King Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 16–22)
Summary: Ahab reigned over Israel and built altars to Baal, encouraged by his wicked wife Jezebel.
Prosperity: They lived in royal luxury, controlled a nation, and seemed unstoppable.
Outcome: God sent Elijah to pronounce judgment — Ahab died in battle, and dogs licked Jezebel’s blood.
Lesson: Sin may sit on a throne, but it never escapes God’s judgment.
📖 1 Kings 21:25 — “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness…”
4. The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31)
Summary: A rich man lived in luxury while a poor beggar, Lazarus, lay starving at his gate.
Prosperity: The rich man “fared sumptuously every day.”
Outcome: When he died, he lifted up his eyes in torment — while Lazarus rested in comfort.
Lesson: Earthly comfort can hide eternal danger.
📖 Luke 16:25 — “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things…”
5. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4)
Summary: King of Babylon, the greatest empire of his day. He built monuments to his glory and took credit for God’s blessings.
Prosperity: Unmatched in wealth and military power.
Outcome: God struck him with madness until he acknowledged Heaven’s rule.
Lesson: Pride blinds the prosperous until humility opens their eyes.
📖 Daniel 4:37 — “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven… those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”
4️⃣ Keep an Eternal View
📖 Romans 8:18 (KJV) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
We need to realise that this life is temporal once we get that understood then life will be much easier, we place too much weight on our shoulders trying to please this life with a span of 60-80 years and we want alot of things to happen but the reality is, is that this life is only a place to prove our next life, meaning what we do in this life will echo into eternity.
📖 Ecclesiastes 9:2-6 KJV - All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. (3) This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. (4) For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. (5) For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. (6) Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
