Ruth and Naomi arrive in Bethlehem, greeted by rejoicing as the harvest season begins.

Ruth 1:19-22

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
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“Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” Ruth 1:19

The “two of them” refers to Ruth and Naomi. Bethlehem was Naomi’s hometown [where the God of Jesus Christ was served], while Ruth was a native of Moab [where they served the false god Chemosh]. For ten years, Naomi was away from Bethlehem and lived in Moab due to the famine in Bethlehem. In Moab is where Ruth became Naomi’s daughter-in-law [Ruth 1:1-5]. When Naomi entered her hometown of Bethlehem after ten years, with Ruth, the whole town were excited to see them both. The women recognized Naomi and said in essence, “Naomi?! Is that really you?”

In essence, the excited people in the town represent the “99 sheep” that did not leave the fold, and Naomi represents the “one sheep” that returned to the fold. More accurately, Naomi represents the Spirit of Christ who went after the “one lost sheep”, Ruth. Our Lord Jesus said there is more rejoicing for the one lost sheep that is returned to the fold than the ninety-nine that did not go astray, as quoted, “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14

“But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” Ruth 1:20-21

These two verses describe the book of Job very well. Job was a man faithful to God although many sour and bitter things happened to him. Job was a very wealthy man who lost his family and everything he owned, like Naomi. Like Naomi, Job was full by prospering in this life, but he was left empty in the bitter hardships that afflicted him. Like Job, whom God restored everything he lost, Naomi was also redeemed and called blessed in the verses of Ruth 4:13-17

The name “Naomi” means “Pleasantness”, but after losing her husband and two sons when they died in Moab, she no longer wanted to be called “Pleasant”. She wanted to be called “Mara” which means “bitterness”. This doesn’t mean she was bitter against God but rather that her life added up to bitter events, like in the life of Job. Also, our Lord Jesus Christ is known as the “Man of Sorrows” and “Acquainted with grief” but He was not a depressing “sad sack” but was filled with faith and obedience to His Father, God. “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Isaiah 53:3

As Christians today, we live in an atheistic world that hurls a lot of bitterness, grief, and sorrow towards those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb…” Revelation 13:6-8 The “he” in this verse refers to the beast behind the image and mark of the beast.

 Our Lord Jesus said, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20 Paul, through the Holy Spirit, said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

“So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.” Ruth 1:22

Our Lord Jesus has made us aware that in spiritual terms, the “harvest” refers to the gathering of souls into the Kingdom of God through His Gospel, as quoted, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38

Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, Judah, at the beginning of harvest, from the country of Moab. The Moabites served the false god of Chemosh but in Bethlehem the God of Jesus Christ was served. This represents the harvest of souls that come to Jesus Christ [returning to Bethlehem] after living for the ways of this world [living in Moab]. This is the Gospel for bringing in the harvest, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 Our born-again experience is the Gospel of Christ written on our heart.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1