Today’s Episode is a Replay of Episode 661: “Faith and Redemption, ” which features a first-person monologue from Naomi, reflecting on the events recorded in the book of Ruth.

The story of Naomi appears in the book of Ruth. Naomi lived during the time of the judges. She was the wife of a man named Elimelech, and they lived in Bethlehem with their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Naomi’s life illustrates the power of God to bring something good out of bitter circumstances.

When a famine hits Judea, Elimelech and Naomi and their two boys relocate to Moab (Ruth 1:1). There, Mahlon and Chilion marry two Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After about ten years, tragedy strikes. Elimelech dies, and both of Naomi’s sons also die, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widows (Ruth 1:3–5). Naomi, hearing that the famine in Judea was over, decides to return home (Ruth 1:6). Orpah stays in Moab, but Ruth chooses to move to the land of Israel with Naomi. The book of Ruth is the story of Naomi and Ruth returning to Bethlehem and how Ruth married a man named Boaz and bore a son, Obed, who became the grandfather of David and the ancestor of Jesus.

The Old Testament sets the stage for Jesus by presenting Him through prophetic titles and metaphors that deepen our understanding of His mission. Titles like Shiloh in Genesis 49:10 reveal Jesus as the one who brings peace and rest, fulfilling the promises of the Messiah. Similarly, the Man with the Measuring Line in Zechariah symbolizes Jesus as the restorer of God’s people, expanding the spiritual boundaries of His kingdom. The imagery of the Refiner’s Fire and Fuller’s Soap in Malachi illustrates His purifying work, transforming believers into a holy people prepared to dwell in God’s presence.

The New Testament reveals Jesus more explicitly through a wide array of names and titles, each highlighting different aspects of His character and mission. As the Lamb of God, He is the ultimate sacrifice for sin; as the Bread of Life, He sustains and nourishes His people. Titles like Alpha and Omega, the Good Shepherd, and the King of Kings emphasize His divinity, His care for humanity, and His eternal authority. Through His names, the New Testament portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and the central figure of God’s redemptive plan.

Each name and title of Jesus invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. They remind us that He is not just a historical figure but our Savior, King, and Friend. By exploring these names, we gain a fuller understanding of who Jesus is and what He means for our lives today. As we study Scripture, we are encouraged to ask, “What does this teach me about Jesus?” allowing His names to transform not just our knowledge but our hearts.

The Bible is not merely a collection of ancient texts but a divine treasure map leading us to Jesus Christ, the ultimate treasure. In John 5:39, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for diligently studying the Scriptures yet failing to recognize Him as the fulfillment of those sacred writings. From Genesis to Revelation, every book, prophecy, and narrative points to Jesus—His life, mission, and redemptive work. As believers, we are invited to approach Scripture not just for knowledge but to encounter the living Word, allowing it to deepen our relationship with Christ.

To see Jesus in the Scriptures, we must look for His character, mission, and foreshadowing throughout its pages. The Old Testament reveals Him through Messianic prophecies, types like Joseph and Moses, and events like the Passover and the Day of Atonement, which point to His ultimate sacrifice. The New Testament unveils His life, death, and resurrection while reminding us of His promise to return. Whether in familiar verses or challenging passages, asking questions like “What does this teach me about Jesus?” or “How does this reveal God’s plan for redemption?” helps us uncover the Christ-centered message of the Bible.

The study of Scripture must not stop at intellectual understanding; it must lead to personal transformation. As we internalize the truths of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit shapes our thoughts, actions, and relationships to reflect Christ. Furthermore, the Scriptures empower us to share the gospel with others, pointing them to the Savior revealed in its pages. By seeking Jesus in our study, allowing His Word to transform our lives, and sharing His love with others, we fulfill the purpose for which the Bible was given: to testify of Him and draw us into a deeper relationship with our Creator and Redeemer.

The New Testament presents Jesus as the central figure in every book, offering a comprehensive view of His life, mission, and redemptive work. From Matthew's connection to Old Testament prophecy to Revelation's vision of His triumphant return, each book reveals a unique facet of Jesus' identity. These writings emphasize His roles as Savior, Redeemer, and King, inviting readers to trust in Him for salvation and to follow His teachings.

The Gospels introduce Jesus' earthly ministry, showcasing His compassion, power, and fulfillment of prophecy, while Acts highlights the spread of His message through the early church. The epistles deepen our understanding of Jesus' work, explaining themes such as justification, sanctification, and the hope of His second coming. Revelation concludes the story with a victorious vision of Jesus as the reigning King who will establish His eternal kingdom.

Through these books, we see Jesus as the culmination of God’s promises and the embodiment of His love. The New Testament not only teaches us about Jesus but also invites us to live in response to His grace and truth. It calls us to deepen our relationship with Him, live in obedience to His teachings, and share His hope with the world.

The Old Testament is rich with categories that foreshadow and reveal Jesus, presenting Him as the central figure who fulfills God’s promises to humanity. Messianic prophecies, such as Isaiah’s suffering servant or Micah’s prophecy of Jesus’ birthplace, give direct predictions of His coming. Similarly, events like the binding of Isaac and the Passover serve as symbolic previews of Jesus’ mission, while key figures, or types of Christ, such as Adam, Melchizedek, and Moses, prefigure His roles as Savior, High Priest, and Deliverer. These foreshadowings reveal Jesus' divinity, His role as our mediator, and His sacrificial love.

The Law, or Torah, underscores God’s holy standard and anticipates Jesus as the one who perfectly fulfills it, making salvation possible by meeting its demands on behalf of humanity. Through the sacrificial system, wisdom literature, and the prophetic imagery of the “suffering servant” and the “branch,” the Old Testament offers glimpses into Jesus’ redemptive work. In addition, divine encounters and theophanies, or pre-incarnate appearances of Christ, show Jesus’ involvement in humanity’s history even before His birth, pointing to His role as our Savior and God.

Together, these categories in the Old Testament illustrate the unity of Scripture and highlight Jesus’ redemptive mission. By seeing how Jesus is interwoven into every part of the Bible, we gain a fuller understanding of God’s character, His promises, and His love for humanity. These glimpses of Jesus throughout the Old Testament bring new depth to the New Testament’s revelation of His life, sacrifice, and victory.

The Old Testament is a profound narrative that foreshadows the life and mission of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. In Genesis, He is the Creator and the seed of the woman destined to crush the serpent’s head, a promise of redemption echoed throughout the Bible. Jesus is prefigured in events like the Passover in Exodus, where His sacrifice as the Lamb of God is symbolized, and in the Levitical system, where He fulfills the roles of both the ultimate High Priest and perfect atoning sacrifice. The historical books highlight Jesus as the victorious leader and King, from Joshua leading God's people into the Promised Land to David and his eternal throne pointing to Christ’s ultimate reign.

The poetic and wisdom books further reveal Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the embodiment of divine wisdom, and the fulfillment of humanity’s deepest longing for meaning and connection. Prophets like Isaiah depict Him as the suffering servant and Prince of Peace, while Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel present Him as the bringer of a new covenant, the true Shepherd, and the Son of Man reigning over an eternal kingdom. The minor prophets, from Hosea to Malachi, emphasize His relentless love, justice, and role as the ultimate Redeemer and King. Each book contributes to a cohesive story, pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises.

The Old Testament prepares our hearts for Jesus, building anticipation for His arrival in the Gospels and revealing God’s plan for salvation through Him. Through prophecies, typologies, and divine encounters, it unveils the character and mission of the Messiah, showcasing God’s relentless love and faithfulness. As we trace these connections, our understanding of Jesus deepens, transforming our faith and inspiring a closer walk with Him.

This devotional highlights the powerful message of hope woven throughout Revelation, where God’s faithful followers triumph over evil and find everlasting peace and joy. The vision of Babylon’s fall and the final judgment shows the ultimate defeat of sin and the liberation of those who have remained steadfast in faith. Revelation’s promise of a new earth, a restored creation, and the New Jerusalem signifies a world free from sorrow, pain, and death, with God Himself dwelling among His people.

The wedding supper of the Lamb symbolizes the intimate relationship between Christ and His church, a reunion celebrated with eternal joy and fellowship. The imagery of the Rider on the white horse portrays Jesus as the conquering King, whose word alone is powerful enough to defeat all evil. This vision assures believers that by aligning themselves with Christ and His teachings, they can share in His victory and be on the winning side of history’s final battle.

Finally, Revelation offers a glimpse of the millennium, where God’s people participate in a time of judgment, affirming God’s justice and sovereignty. After this period, the earth will be transformed into a paradise where humanity will experience perfect harmony and live under God’s constant care. As Revelation concludes, we are reminded of the urgency of Christ’s return and encouraged to live with heaven as our focus, clinging to the hope that God’s promises will soon be fulfilled.

In Revelation 15 and 16, we find a vivid portrayal of God’s final acts of judgment and the ultimate triumph of His faithful followers. Revelation 15 opens with the vision of saints victorious over the forces of evil, symbolized by the beast, as they stand on a sea of glass singing praises to God and the Lamb. These saints, described as having resisted the mark of the beast, represent those who have been protected and preserved through Earth’s last tribulations, serving as a testament to unwavering faith in the face of immense adversity.

The seven last plagues are presented as God’s final judgments upon those who have rejected His salvation and aligned with evil. Unlike the Egyptian plagues, which allowed opportunities for repentance, these end-time judgments come after the close of probation, marking the irrevocable consequences of humanity’s choices. This closing of Christ’s intercessory work signifies the culmination of God’s mercy, followed by justice poured out on unrepentant humanity, while His followers remain shielded by His promises. The drying up of the Euphrates River, symbolic of Babylon’s lost support, prepares the way for “kings from the east,” representing Christ and His angelic army, to deliver His people in the final battle of Armageddon.

Armageddon, often misunderstood as a literal conflict, instead represents the climactic spiritual battle where God’s truth overcomes deception and darkness. Through symbolic language, Revelation contrasts the forces of evil with the faithful followers of Christ, who rely on His strength rather than human alliances. This ultimate victory reminds us that true security is found only in God and calls us to a deeper faith in His sovereignty as we anticipate His glorious return.