Something just hit me when re-reading this analogy. Ruth was a Gentile, who swore she would never leave Naomi, a destitute Jew, who had lost her husband. Who is Israel's BEST FRIEND during these end times, although they barely acknowledge it? THE CHURCH!!!!! The true church of Jesus Christ KNOWS that Israel is the cultivated vine, while we the wild vine are grafted into THEIR roots! Eventhough she is still spiritually blind, the True Church of Jesus Christ is Israel's ONLY defender in all the world! Everyone hates Israel, EXCEPT the true Church of Jesus Christ. Its Ruth and Naomi all over again! When the Redeemer comes, He saves BOTH of them!

In synagogues, the Book of Ruth is read on Pentecost. The story of Ruth has been called "The Romance of Redemption" where-in Naomi, a Jewish woman from Bethlehem loses land and position and is forced into exile in a foreign country where her husband soon passes away leaving her penniless and alone. She decides to return to Bethlehem and is accompanied by Ruth, a gentile woman who has sworn never to leave her. Ruth was a Moabite who had married one of Naomi's sons who also died, making her Naomi's daughter-in-law and, like her, a destitute widow. Back in Bethlehem Naomi's relative, a prominent Jewish man named Boaz falls in love with Ruth and marries her, in the process redeeming Naomi's land and position according to the law. (Lev 25:25 & Deut. 25:5-6). The modeling here is dramatic, with Naomi in the role of Israel, destitute and alone; Ruth as the Church, the gentile bride; Boaz as the Kinsman Redeemer (Messiah) and the story a prediction of the relationship between them. On His way to redeeming Israel, the Kinsman Redeemer takes a gentile bride, saving both from destitution and restoring Israel's land. The identification of the Church with Pentecost began in the prophecies of Ruth.

Pineman (29 May 2006)
"Pentecost Rapture"

Thanks John for your thoughts on the Pentecost Rapture. I can see from your research as well as Marilyn Agee’s research and a search on the web that there are many compelling reasons for the possibility of a Pentecost Rapture.
Here’s another link on the subject:
http://www.gracethrufaith.com/selah/holidays-and-holy-days/pentecost-and-the-rapture-of-the-church

“…………Jews celebrate Pentecost (I'll just use its Greek name to avoid any more confusion than necessary) as the day Moses received the Law on Mt. Sinai in the wilderness and the nation Israel was born. (Exodus 19-20) Christians celebrate it as the day the Holy Spirit fell on the Disciples in Jerusalem and the Church was born (Acts 2). (Read Moses, Jesus, and the Rapture of the Church.) If you agree with my view that the parables of Matthew 13 describe the church on Earth and that the parable of the yeast predicts there will be sin in the church, you'll be interested in the fact that unlike all the other Jewish Feasts that call for unleavened bread, Pentecost requires bread baked with yeast (Lev. 23:17). Pentecost also began the annual wheat harvest, perhaps pointing to another of Matthew's Kingdom parables, the Wheat and the Tares. The Pentecost ceremonies reveal a subtle link to the coming church.

In synagogues, the Book of Ruth is read on Pentecost. The story of Ruth has been called "The Romance of Redemption" where-in Naomi, a Jewish woman from Bethlehem loses land and position and is forced into exile in a foreign country where her husband soon passes away leaving her penniless and alone. She decides to return to Bethlehem and is accompanied by Ruth, a gentile woman who has sworn never to leave her. Ruth was a Moabite who had married one of Naomi's sons who also died, making her Naomi's daughter-in-law and, like her, a destitute widow. Back in Bethlehem Naomi's relative, a prominent Jewish man named Boaz falls in love with Ruth and marries her, in the process redeeming Naomi's land and position according to the law. (Lev 25:25 & Deut. 25:5-6). The modeling here is dramatic, with Naomi in the role of Israel, destitute and alone; Ruth as the Church, the gentile bride; Boaz as the Kinsman Redeemer (Messiah) and the story a prediction of the relationship between them. On His way to redeeming Israel, the Kinsman Redeemer takes a gentile bride, saving both from destitution and restoring Israel's land. The identification of the Church with Pentecost began in the prophecies of Ruth.
…………..”

Pineman
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Thanks, Pineman!
John

Maranatha!
Deborah
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