{"id":46197,"date":"2021-06-28T08:54:28","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T05:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=46197"},"modified":"2025-05-19T12:13:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T09:13:01","slug":"we-are-now-living-in-the-time-of-ruths-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/06\/28\/we-are-now-living-in-the-time-of-ruths-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"We Are Now Living in the Time of Ruth\u2019s Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"

The reality is that we no longer live in the time of the great harvest like in the days of the apostles. Instead, we are in the time of gleaning\u00a0 gathering the leftovers. This difference is important for understanding God\u2019s work in the world today.<\/p>\n

Understanding the Two Harvests<\/strong><\/p>\n

In ancient Jewish custom, the harvest involved two groups of workers in the fields. The first group was formally hired to gather the crops. They worked diligently, harvesting everything visible and filling sacks with grain. Even so, they could not gather everything from the fields.<\/p>\n

At this point, the second group\u00a0 the gleaners\u00a0 were allowed to enter. Their task was to gather whatever was left behind by the first harvesters. These gleaners were often poor people, widows, and foreigners who depended on the leftovers for survival.<\/p>\n

Leviticus 19:9-10 (ESV) instructs,
\n“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ruth was one such gleaner<\/p>\n

(Ruth 2:2-4, NIV):
\n“Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was a relative of her late husband.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Apostolic Harvest and Today\u2019s Gleaning<\/strong><\/p>\n

Biblically, the first harvesters symbolize the apostles who preached the gospel in the early church. Their preaching was powerful and effective\u00a0 thousands were saved in a day<\/p>\n

(Acts 2:41 NIV: “About three thousand were added to their number that day.”<\/em>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This shows the great harvest God brought in through their ministry.<\/p>\n

Today, however, the spiritual harvest is mostly over. Many have heard the gospel, read the Scriptures, and witnessed signs and wonders, yet few repent or fully turn to Christ. This reflects Jesus\u2019 teaching in<\/p>\n

Matthew 13:30 (ESV):
\n“Let both grow together until the harvest.”<\/em> The \u2018harvest\u2019 has passed; now we are in the gleaning period.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The people gathering now, like Ruth, represent the faithful remnant in the last days\u00a0 those who work to save what little remains.<\/p>\n

Isaiah 1:9 (NIV) says:
\n“Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And<\/p>\n

Jeremiah 8:20 (ESV) laments,
\n“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Urgency of Today<\/strong><\/p>\n

This ministry of gleaning will not last forever. Jesus, our Boaz, will return to inspect His field<\/p>\n

(John 14:3 NIV: “I will come back and take you to be with me.”<\/em>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When He comes, those who have not entered His barn\u00a0 meaning, those who have not truly submitted to Him\u00a0 will face judgment. Luke 12:47-48 (NIV) warns:<\/p>\n

“The servant who knows the master\u2019s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Call to Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

What are you waiting for? The world\u2019s time is short. Christ is at the door<\/p>\n

(Revelation 3:20 NIV: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”<\/em>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Repent sincerely, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38 NIV:<\/p>\n

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”<\/em>),<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

and receive the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13 NIV:<\/p>\n

“Sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”<\/em>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

for protection and guidance in these perilous times.<\/p>\n

Maranatha\u00a0 Come quickly, Lord Jesus.<\/p>\n

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