If the Righteous are Barely (Barley) Saved
Barley/Barely - saved from God’s wrath to come
There has been a very rich discussion of barley and wheat harvests/raptures on Five Doves, including whether there will be a first fruits rapture - for example, a rapture of the dead in Christ and the remnant (and watching) church before the broader Rapture of the complete body of Christ. My belief is that, if this is true, then both these barley and wheat harvest of the Church must be before the final seven years for Daniel’s people (Israel).
I was musing on the barley harvest, asking whether there is any Scripture that could support this view. An unexpected and quick response came and I wanted to share this with the Doves (in baseball terms this came from left field). In particular, if the letter e in barley is brought forward, the word becomes barely. Now, in the Amplified Bible this is a rare word - there are only three references: Proverbs 11:31, 1 Peter 4:18 (quoted from Proverbs) and 2 Peter 2:18.
Proverbs 11:31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed on earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner! And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and wicked?
But what is especially noteworthy is the context of the verse in 1 Peter (judgment beginning in the household of God) - see 1 Peter 4:17-19 below. Verse 19 contains a wonderful promise for us! As we move towards Shavuot/ Pentecost 2012, will this be a critical turning point for the Church?
17 For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God? 18 And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the godless and wicked? 19 Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with God’s will must do right and commit their souls to the One Who created [them] and will never fail [them].
Other barley references that may be of interest/relevance
Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
John 6:9 There is a little boy here, who has [with him] five barley loaves, and two small fish; but what are they among so many people?