Shalom! Welcome to our study of God’s Word. Today, we will uncover one of the profound mysteries hidden within the Book of Ruth. This is a short book—only four chapters—easy to read and understand. I encourage you to first read it personally before we continue, so that you can follow along more deeply. The book begins with a man named Elimelech, who lived in Israel during the days of the Judges. When famine struck the land, Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons to dwell in the neighboring country of Moab. Sadly, Elimelech died there, leaving Naomi a widow in a foreign land. Her two sons later married Moabite women, but after about ten years, both sons also died childless. Naomi was left without husband, sons, or grandchildren—aging, without strength, and living in poverty. With nothing left, she resolved to return to her homeland in Israel. Pause and consider: there were many widows and righteous people during the time of the Judges, yet God chose to record the story of Naomi, Elimelech, and Ruth in the Holy Scriptures. Why? Because God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8–9). What seemed like tragedy and misfortune to Naomi was, in God’s plan, part of a greater redemptive story—one that would ultimately reveal Christ and extend grace to the undeserving, including us. As Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem, she urged her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their own families and remarry. Initially, both women resisted leaving her. But after much persuasion, Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and returned to Moab. Ruth, however, clung to Naomi with unwavering loyalty, famously declaring: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you.Where you go, I will go,and where you lodge, I will lodge.Your people shall be my people,and your God, my God.Where you die, I will die,and there will I be buried.May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”(Ruth 1:16–17) Ruth left behind her homeland, family, and prospects for marriage and wealth, choosing instead to share Naomi’s poverty and uncertain future. Others may have mocked her: “Why follow this old, destitute woman? She has nothing to offer you!” Yet Ruth’s commitment reflected a deeper faith and love. When they arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi’s relatives may have expected her to return wealthy and prosperous. Instead, she came back empty, accompanied only by a young Moabite widow—a foreigner, one considered unclean by Israelite law. Yet Ruth’s humility, kindness, and hard work soon earned her favor among the people. While gleaning leftover grain in the fields to provide for Naomi, Ruth came to the land of Boaz, a wealthy and honorable man from Elimelech’s clan. Boaz took notice of Ruth and, hearing of her devotion to Naomi, showed her extraordinary kindness. Eventually, Boaz redeemed Ruth as his wife, fulfilling the role of kinsman-redeemer (go’el), and their union produced a son, Obed—the grandfather of King David, through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be born (Matthew 1:5–6). Theological Insights: Ruth as a Foreshadowing of Christ and His Bride The Book of Ruth is not merely a historical account; it is a prophetic picture of Christ and His bride—the Church. Naomi represents Israel, who, through her suffering and loss, opened the door for Ruth (a Gentile) to enter into covenant relationship with the redeemer, Boaz. Similarly, Christ came first to the Jews (John 1:11), but through Israel’s unbelief, salvation has come to the Gentiles (Romans 11:11–12). Like Naomi, Christ left His heavenly glory, becoming poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9). He was “despised and rejected by men… a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He bore our sins, was crucified, and through His suffering, made a way for us—outsiders—to become His bride. Just as Ruth had to leave behind her past, we too are called to forsake the world, take up our cross daily, and follow Christ (Luke 9:23–25). Many, like Orpah, turn back, unwilling to pay the price. But those who, like Ruth, cling to Him with steadfast love will share in His eternal inheritance. Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, prefigures Christ, who redeemed us with His own blood (1 Peter 1:18–19). Through our union with Him, we become heirs of His kingdom, just as Ruth became part of the royal lineage leading to David and ultimately to Jesus, the King of kings. A Call to Commitment The story of Ruth challenges us to examine our own devotion to Christ. Will we follow Him wholeheartedly, regardless of cost, or turn back like Orpah? Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) He also warned: “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:24) This is the hour to take up our cross, follow Christ, and prepare for the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–9). Like Ruth, let us abandon the fleeting pleasures of this world and cling to our Redeemer, Boaz—Jesus Christ—trusting that His plans for us are eternal and glorious. Blessings to you as you choose to follow Him fully
Luke 8:30–33 (NIV) Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and He gave them permission.When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. Understanding the Abyss and Eternal Chains Shalom, beloved of God! Praise the Lord for another day of life and grace. Today, we reflect on a powerful moment from Jesus’ earthly ministry—His encounter with a man possessed by many demons after crossing the Sea of Galilee. As we read in Luke 8, the demons were terrified of being sent into the Abyss (Greek: abussos), also referred to as the bottomless pit or hell’s prison. They begged Jesus not to send them there, which shows us an important truth: even demons fear the place God has prepared for their judgment. Why were they so afraid of the Abyss? Because it is a real, dreadful place of confinement, where some fallen angels and demons are already imprisoned, awaiting the final judgment. 2 Peter 2:4“For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment…” Jude 1:6“And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” This tells us that some demons are already locked away in the Abyss, while others still roam the earth under God’s permission. Even the demons that possessed the man in Luke 8 preferred to be cast into pigs rather than go into that prison-like place. That alone shows how terrible the Abyss is. Why Do Some Demons Still Roam Free? Not all demons are currently in chains. Some, like Satan and others, still have limited freedom to operate on the earth for a time. But their fate is sealed. Revelation 20:1–3“And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss…” In the end, even Satan will be locked in the Abyss for 1,000 years. Afterward, he will be released for a short time before his final destruction in the lake of fire. Where Do Demons Dwell Now? Demons do not have a resting place on earth. They are restless spirits seeking to enter people. Matthew 12:43–45“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’” Jesus reveals here that when a demon leaves someone, it wanders through dry, desolate places, symbolizing spiritual barrenness. It finds no peace outside a host. That’s why demons are always seeking to inhabit human bodies—they are in torment without a home. But when a person opens their heart to Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within them. That person becomes God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19), and demons have no place there. Warning Against Making Our Bodies a Dwelling for Evil Spirits Anyone who continues in unrepented sin—such as idolatry, sexual immorality, witchcraft, and rebellion—is at risk of becoming a dwelling place for demons. Ephesians 4:27“Do not give the devil a foothold.” Galatians 5:19–21“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery… idolatry and witchcraft… those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” A person who allows such sin in their life essentially opens the door for unclean spirits to enter. And if they die in that state, they will join those who are already in the Abyss, awaiting the final judgment. The Final Judgment: Eternal Fire Revelation 20:14–15“Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” This is the final destination for the devil, his demons, and all who reject God’s salvation. Even those from ancient times—like the people of Noah’s generation and those of Sodom and Gomorrah—are now being held in chains, awaiting this very judgment. Jude 1:7“Just as Sodom and Gomorrah… serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.” God’s Mercy Is Still Available In the Old Testament, being possessed by a demon was a death sentence: Leviticus 20:27“A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death.” But under the New Covenant, Jesus came to set captives free. Anyone can be delivered from demonic bondage by repenting, believing in the gospel, being baptized, and receiving the Holy Spirit. Final Exhortation Satan and his demons roam the earth looking for a place to dwell—don’t let it be in you. Make your body a temple of the Holy Spirit by surrendering fully to Jesus. Test every spirit and every teaching (1 John 4:1), and let the Holy Spirit guide your entire life. If you’ve been blessed by this message, share it with someone else. Let us live watchful, holy lives as we await the return of our Lord. God bless you.