Ecclesiastes is a book in the Old Testament written by King Solomon who reached a sobering conclusion regarding the meaning of life. The catbird seat is a position of favor, prominence or power. How can one begin a path to be in the most advantageous situation in life after acceptance of the solemn determination reached by Solomon circa 970 B.C.?

Let’s first examine the author. Solomon had it all from an earthly perspective. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines at his disposal. He made "great works" of houses, vineyards, gardens, orchards and pools of water. He had servants and maidens, musicians and other delightful perks. Gold, silver and great herds of cattle were also part of his life of pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 2: 9-10 concludes "So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labor."

This is known in modern parlance as achieving the "American Dream". Was the fulfillment of earthly desires the victory that Solomon supposed it would be? Not quite. He declares in Ecclesiastes 2: 11 that "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." He had reached an understanding that a life of materialistic conquest does not satisfy and that "better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."

Solomon in Ecclesiastes touched on the advantages of simplicity and that "the sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer (allow) him to sleep." This fits in perfectly with those that live in the Hollywood fast lane. How many "lifestyles of the rich and famous" stories have you heard that turned into drug abuse, psychiatric disorder or the ultimate despair of suicide? The spider web of fame and fortune has claimed many victims and is continuing its destruction to this day. The casualties are not only within the entertainment industry but extend to all levels of society and possibly within your own home. There is no discrimination.

The book of Ecclesiastes gives various examples of the types of excess that fool mankind. You should take the time to read this work and determine if you have unwittingly placed yourself on the altar of hedonism. The first hurdle along the road to the catbird seat has been passed once that a focus solely on the physical desires of life has been overcome. A fleeting, worldly mindset must be cast aside for an eternal perspective on life. So where does one go from here?

Old Testament prophecies foretold of the life and mission of a Messiah that could free mankind from slavery to the flesh and a sinful world that leads ultimately to spiritual death. These were predicted hundreds of years before someone named Jesus was born in Bethlehem to accomplish the mission of salvation for all who believed in Him and followed His teachings. What evidence is there that can lead us to a rational conclusion that Jesus is, indeed, the antidote to counteract the emptiness that exists within many or most of mankind?

Research shows that there are hundreds of predictions in the Old Testament concerning the first coming of the Messiah already accomplished as written in the New Testament. These include 12 prognostications including that the Messiah was to be preceded by a messenger (Isaiah 40:3 / Matthew 3: 1-2), would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 / Matthew 2:1), would come from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10 / Luke 3:23-34, Matthew 1: 1-16), would enter Jerusalem on a colt (Zechariah 9:9 / Luke 19: 35-37), would be betrayed by a friend (Psalms 41:9 / Matthew 26: 47-50), would be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12 / Matthew 26: 14-15), would be spat upon and beaten (Isaiah 50:6 / Matthew 26: 67-68), would be wounded by his enemies (Isaiah 53:5 / Matthew 27:26), would be silent before his accusers (Isaiah 53:7 / Matthew 27: 12-14), would have his hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16 / Luke 23:33), and would be crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12 / Matthew 27:38).

There was also a prediction that the money paid for his betrayal would be thrown in the temple and given for a potters field (Zechariah 11:13 / Matthew 27:5-7) Christian scholar Grant Jeffrey calculated that the odds of just these 12 prophecies to come true in one man’s life would be 1 chance in 10 billion times a billion.

The testimony of Jesus within Luke 24: 44 to his disciples after his resurrection from the dead proves that He carried out His mission as prophesied in the Old Testament. He stated "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."

The sensible, pragmatic man or woman reading this should come to a conclusion that something incredibly powerful occurred during the days of Jesus and that immediate attention is due to His life. The probability that Jesus is the Savior that He claimed to be is just too overwhelmingly positive to consider otherwise.

You might already be fully familiar with and believe in the truth of the message of Jesus and are reading this article as a reinforcement. You may also have just been made aware of Jesus for the first time and made a decision to surrender your life to Him and biblical Christianity as a believer. Both positions are to be commended. There is just one crucial truth that must be understood by both sides before the catbird seat is firmly secured. What is it?

It is simply the understanding that life is not a playground but a battleground. There is spiritual warfare going on at this moment from an unseen enemy that seeks nothing less than your enslavement and destruction. The stakes are for your very soul. It’s the power that has manifested itself over time from outright wars and oppression to the subtle urgings we all receive to do harm to ourselves and others. Ephesians 6:12 explains it by stating that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Where did this malevolent force come from?

A mighty created being in the heavens known as Lucifer took it upon himself to commit treason against God. Isaiah 14: 12-14 explains "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."

Pride in himself was the motive that prompted the actions of this being known also as Satan as described in Ezekiel 28:17. Revelation 12:4 indicates that 1/3 of the angels in the spiritual realm followed his lead. How does this affect you?

Chip Ingram, author of The Invisible War: What Every Believer Needs To Know About Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare explains that we are engaged in battle now whether we like it or not. The good news is that "Satan was defeated at the cross. Nothing can diminish that. His defeat was irrevocably sealed when Jesus conquered sin and death by dying and rising again. The penalty we incurred for our sin was paid, and its power was broken. Through the cross, Jesus disarmed and triumphed over the enemy."

The fate of Satan and his minions is cast in stone. There is, however, an ongoing demonic guerilla warfare that will try to distract us from doing God’s will in Scripture until the return of the Messiah. We must all call upon Jesus when confronted with trials and temptations to resist the evil one and his demons that strike. We must proclaim that we are children of God and that "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) and ask Jesus to intercede in our battle against temptation and wickedness. Chip Ingram explains on another positive note that "as believers in Christ, we do not fight for victory; we fight from victory. In Christ’s power, we are invincible." The fact that believers have the upper hand is, indeed, good news!

Have you realized the futility of materialism and understand that "whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God"? (James 4:4) Have you accepted Jesus as the only solution to be triumphant in a wicked world? (Romans 6:23) Do you know that you can be forgiven of all sins through Him? (1 John 1:9) Will you be battle-prepared to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."? (Eph. 6:11). If so, there’s a catbird seat waiting with your name on it.

(Chip Ingram’s "The Invisible War: What Every Believer Needs To Know About Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare" and Grant Jeffrey’s "Armageddon: Appointment with Destiny" and the Bible can all be purchased at www.ChristianBook.com )