A Deeper Dive Into the Book of Revelation - Part 47
The journey of Ruth is the journey of the Overcomers. In her life we can see a progression through the six principles of the doctrine of Christ as she grew to perfection, which is another word for maturity. This is the calling for all who will be Overcomers.
“Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity.”—Hebrews 6:1 (AMPC)
We find the six principles of the doctrine of Christ in Hebrews 6:1-2:
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Repentance from dead works
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Faith toward God
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The doctrine of baptisms
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Laying on of hands
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Resurrection of the dead
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Eternal judgment
The goal is to reach perfection (number seven), which is spiritual maturity. Perfection is symbolized throughout Scripture by the number seven.
Jesus set this as our goal in His Sermon on the Mount:
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”—Matthew 5:48 (NIV)
The Amplified Classic version puts it this way:
“You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.”—Matthew 5:48 (AMPC)
We can see the six basic principles of the doctrine of Christ in Ruth’s journey to perfection.
**Repentance from Dead Works and **
Faith Toward God
We see this first principle of repentance from dead works in the life of Ruth when she makes the commitment to leave Moab. Moab has come to represent death for her. Her husband has died. Her brother-in-law and father-in-law have both died. Moab seems to represent works that lead to death. Ruth trades the land of death for true life that lasts.
In the declaration of her commitment to journey with Naomi to the promised land of God’s people, Ruth also makes a commitment to the God of Israel, placing her faith in Him:
“Your people will be my people, and your God, my God.”—Ruth 1:16 (AMP)
In Hebrews 6:1, these two fundamental principles are paired together. These two principles of repentance from dead works and faith toward God are “Outer Court” principles that we can see symbolized in the Tabernacle of Moses. These principles are fundamental for entrance into the Kingdom of God and the beginning of new life as a disciple of Christ.
These two fundamental principles are represented in the first great feast of the Lord, the Feast of Passover.
These two principles represent Justification. This is the first stage of salvation: the transformation of the spirit.
**The Doctrine of Baptisms and
The Laying on of Hands**
In some translations, “baptisms” is translated as “washings,” “cleansings,” or “purifying.” I believe all of these words together give us a more complete picture of the doctrine of baptisms.
The doctrine of baptisms is paired with the laying on of hands. Both of these principles together speak of preparation, cleansing, and anointing for a higher calling.
We see these two principles represented in Ruth’s life as she prepared to present herself for service to her redeemer, Boaz.
“Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes”—Ruth 3:3 (NASB)
When Boaz discovered Ruth at his feet, he asked her who she was. She replied by saying, “I am Ruth your maidservant” (Ruth 3:9 AMPC).
Ruth was presenting herself for service to her redeemer.
This is the same type of preparation that was required of a priest before he was allowed to enter into service in the Tabernacle. Before he could lift up the curtain (the skirt) to enter the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, a priest had to wash himself, put on special garments, and be anointed with oil.
“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. You shall put the holy garments on Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve as a priest to Me. You shall bring his sons and put tunics on them; you shall anoint them just as you anointed their father, so that they may serve as priests to Me; and their anointing shall qualify them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”—Exodus 40:12-15 (AMP)
Just like lifting the curtain of the Tabernacle, when Ruth lifted up the skirt of Boaz, these two principles symbolically took Ruth from the Outer Court into the Holy Place.
This cleansing and anointing that came with the Doctrine of Baptisms and the Laying on of Hands symbolically took Ruth into the experience of Pentecost, the second great feast of the Lord.
These two principles represent Sanctification. This is the second stage of salvation: the transformation of the soul.
**The Resurrection of the Dead
and Eternal Judgment**
In Moab, Ruth experienced death. Her husband died, and with him, her hopes for children and grandchildren. But in Bethlehem, “the House of Bread,” she met Boaz, her redeemer. In her marriage to Boaz, she found new life, new hopes for a good future, and a son! For Ruth, this was resurrection from the death and loss she had experienced in Moab. She was raised up to a new life by her Redeemer.
We may think of Eternal Judgment as punishment, but judgment is a two-sided coin. Judgment can involve punishments but it can also involve rewards. Eternal Judgment for believers will be experienced in the form of rewards and blessings from God.
Ruth experienced great blessings and rewards as a result of her overcoming life. The women of Bethlehem spoke blessings over Ruth and her husband when her marriage to Boaz was announced:
“May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the household of Israel. May you achieve wealth and power in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. Further, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman.”—Ruth 411-12 (AMP)
This was not just casual politeness. These blessings actually came true in the life of Ruth and Boaz!
And Ruth’s rewards were not just temporary for her lifetime, but her rewards are eternal because her son, Obed, became the grandfather of King David and an ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!
Ruth’s marriage with Boaz and her experiences of Resurrection from the Dead and Eternal Judgment allowed Ruth to enter into the third great feast of the Lord, the Feast of Tabernacles. This was symbolized as she took up residence with her Redeemer and carried his son in her own body.
This symbolically took Ruth beyond the veil and into the intimate relationship with her Redeemer in the Holy of Holies.
These two principles of Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgment represent Glorification. This is the third stage of salvation: the transformation of the body.
Perfection
Perfection is God’s goal for each of us, but what does that mean?
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”—Genesis 17:1 (KJV)
“Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.”—Deuteronomy 18:13 (KJV)
Reaching perfect maturity in God’s sight means allowing God to transform us into the perfect image of His Son so that we become a Bride who is perfectly compatible to our Heavenly Bridegroom.
“In this [union and fellowship with Him], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world.”—1 John 4:17 (AMP)
“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”—Romans 12:2 (AMP)
“For by the one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified [bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity].”—Hebrews 10:14 (AMP)
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”—2 Corinthians 7:1 (NASB)
“Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, **so that you may be perfect **and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”—James 1:2-3 (AMP)
What does perfection look like?
How can we know that we are making progress toward God’s goal of perfection for us?
James and John help to give us those answers.
James tells us that a perfect person is one who does not offend God or people unnecessarily with his words.
“And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.”—James 3:2 (AMPC)
John tells us that reaching perfection in maturity means having perfect love toward God and people. This is demonstrated by keeping the commandments of Jesus.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”—John 14:15 (KJV)
“But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity].”—1 John 2:5 (AMP)
“But if we love one another [with unselfish concern], God abides in us, and His love [the love that is His essence abides in us and] is completed and perfected in us.”—1 John 4:12 (AMP)
When God’s love has been fully formed in us, we will be free of all fear.
“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].”—1 John 4:18 (AMPC)
Perfect love is the goal, as Peter tells us in 2 Peter chapter 1.
“For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),** and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. **For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.”—2 Peter 1:5-8 (AMP)
In 1 John 2:12-14, John addresses those who are mature in the Body of Christ as spiritual fathers. Becoming spiritually mature means perfecting love in our hearts and souls so that we can then nourish and guide others on their spiritual journeys. Reaching full maturity includes becoming a spiritual parent who is able to guide others on their journeys to maturity and perfection.
Bringing young believers to spiritual maturity was the focus of the early church leaders.
“For we are glad when we are weak (unapproved) and you are really strong. And this we also pray for: your all-round strengthening and perfecting of soul.”—2 Corinthians 13:9 (AMPC)
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”—Colossians 1:28 (KJV)
In fact, this is the whole purpose for God placing the five-fold ministry into the Church. They are placed into the Church to bring the believers to spiritual maturity—the perfecting of the saints.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”—Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV)
Ruth’s journey represents a believer’s journey to experience each of the six principles of the doctrine of Christ, leading to the perfection of spiritual maturity. Ruth ultimately became a parent to Obed, nourishing and guiding this young believer to grow to maturity as a “servant who worships,” which is the meaning of Obed’s name.
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”—2 Corinthians 13:11 (KJV)
**Reference: **
Cummins, D. (2021). I Am Ruth Thy Handmaid. Capitol Worship.
