Eccl. 9:5 is judged by the Lord's words as what the fuller revelation teaches as fact. Solomon often speaks according to the natural man, and in 9:5 is is describing the physical state, and later he said, "Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. " (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7)
That general resurrection Jesus spoke of at John 5:28 had not occurred yet so neither Abraham nor Lazarus or any rich man could be speaking after they had died...Just as Jesus had told Nicodemus (John 3:13) that no man (that would include Abraham and Lazarus) had ascended into heaven except Christ.
The general resurrection is not relevant here as this was not Heaven, which has no gulf btwn it and Hell, but The Lord said "Abraham's bosom," which OT saints went to as they could not enter glory yet, as described in this recent thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3047735/posts?page=348#348
And obviously before the resurrection, Moses and Elijah and were conscious and the so-called "good thief," Stephen, and the souls who were slain for the word of God who inquired about vengeance in Rv. 6, were with the Lord.
Just as Jesus had told Nicodemus (John 3:13) that no man (that would include Abraham and Lazarus) had ascended into heaven except Christ.
Exactly, as dealt with in the link above and a prior one.
The “substantial teaching” you provided is in error. Solomon’s words are part of God inspired Scripture and mirror what God told sinning Adam, you will return to the dust..period.
The general resurrection is most relevant as until that point no one had come from the memorial tombs and to combine Abraham’s bosom with Paradise is something the Scriptures do not do. Nor do the Scriptures hint that Abraham’s bosom was a temporary stop for OT saints.
Those like David or Job who died before Christ would just have to wait in death till Jesus resurrected them. Hence the vision of Moses and Elijah was just that, a vision, not a pulling of them from Abraham’s bosom to a mountain or a resurrection from the dead of them.
Even the dying thief recognized any hope of remembrance would be “when you come into your kingdom”, not instantly at death.
Those events of Rev. 6 were yet to come when Jesus went forth to conquer in the midst of his enemies. (Acts 2:34,35).
Luke 16 is a parable.
Good point, Daniel, and it needs to be stressed. I was confused by some verses in Ecc years ago and a wise person cleared it up for me. Hopefully, your post will do the same for others.