Ecc_3:21

11. Ecclesiastes 3:21.

"Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?"

It must be recognized in studying Ecclesiastes that Solomon, the writer, is many times speaking from the unregenerate or carnal viewpoint; just as a carnal Christian today can develop his own reasoning contrary to God's word, if he is not daily studying the Bible. So keep in mind that many times in Ecclesiastes, it is Solomon expressing by his own reasoning instead of speaking the mind of God by the Holy Spirit.

We see in Ecclesiastes 3:18, below, that Solomon is doing his own reasoning and speaking.

Returning to Ecclesiastes 3:21, notice that the spirit of the beast goes downward to the Earth. Period! The spirit of a beast is connected to his body. The spirit dies with the body as there is no life after death for animals. The spirit that goes upward does not go to Heaven but unto God for disposition. This is made clear from Ecclesiastes 12:7...

"Then shall the dust (body) return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

After death, one is in the hands of God to be placed into the Paradise of Sheol or the Torment of Sheol. (Also Ecclesiastes 8:8)