Preparations to meet the bridegroom.  I believe this is a common thought among us here at 5 doves.  I got a very interesting monthly newsletter that I wish to share excerpt from that addresses this issue.  I hope others are blessed as much as I was.
 
     All Christians will one day go forth to meet Christ at His judgment seat, typified in the Book of Ruth going forth to meet Boaz on his threshing floor.  The threshing floor was the place where that of value (the grain) was separated from that of no value (the Chaff), which is exactly what will occur at Christ's judgment seat.  The Christians' works will be tried "in fire," and a separation will occur.  Works comparable to "wood, hay, stubble" will be burned by the fire. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)
 
     A future judgment of this nature is what John the Baptist called attention to in Matt. 3: 7-12 when dealing with Israel's religious leaders, calling for the nation's repentance and referring to fruit bearing.  Using the symbolism of the threshing floor, John concluded that which he proclaimed to these religious leaders by saying,
 
      Whose fan is in his hand [Christ's hand], and he will thoroughly purge his floor [His threshing floor], and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (vs. 12).
 
     The whole of the matter - preparation, event on the threshing floor, and that which follows- is seen outlined in the typical manner in the Book of Ruth.  Ruth, in the final analysis, is seen preparing herself in a threefold manner for meeting Boaz on his threshing floor at the end of the harvest.  Ruth washed herself, anointed herself, and clothed herself with proper garments before going forth to meet Boaz.
 
    "Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor [ the threshing floor]..." Ruth 3:3a
 
     And meeting Boaz in this manner, on his threshing floor, was with the view to two things, the redemption of the inheritance, and Ruth becoming Boaz's wife (vv.9ff)
 
     This meeting also occurred at "midnight" (v. 8), typically foreshadowing  a time of judgment, in complete keeping with both the first mentions of "midnight" in Scripture (used in connection with  judgment [ Ex.11:4] and with that which John the Baptist told Israel's religious leaders in Matt. 3:12
 
     Ruth's preparation in the type is the same preparation which Christian's must make in the antitype.  Ruth prepared herself, after a certain fashion to meet Boaz on his threshing floor, at midnight, with a view to a redeemed inheritance and becoming his wife; and Christians must likewise prepare themselves, after the same fashion, to meet Christ on His threshing floor, at midnight , with a view to a redeemed inheritance and becoming His wife.
 
Part 2-   "Wash Thyself"