he term "ripe" refers to the state of a fruit that has fully matured on the tree. Ripe fruits are delicious and good. "Unripe" refers to fruit picked before it is fully ripe, stored in a container with rice, and then allowed to finish ripening at home; however, such unripe fruit does not possess the same flavor as perfectly ripe fruit. In spiritual matters as well, there are both "ripe" and "unripe." Some fruits fail to ripen properly and instead rot, becoming inedible and discarded. Likewise, among people, there are those who are like ripe fruit, unripe fruit, baked fruit, and those who have rotted. Let us consider these conditions carefully.

Ripe Fruit

Fruit ripens naturally when it reaches the right time and is exposed to sunlight. Similarly, those who have encountered suffering, hardship, sorrow, lost hope, and depression come to seek God, place their trust in Him, stop clinging to this world, and rely entirely on Him for salvation. These are the people who truly understand and believe the truth. They mature through the "sun" of trials, becoming spiritually sweet and ready.

Incubated Fruit

Some individuals have not yet experienced suffering or hardship. Nevertheless, because godly preachers patiently and diligently teach about salvation through God's grace, these individuals come to believe and are saved. They did not seek God on their own; rather, they were brought to faith through the ministry of others who already believed. These people are like unripe fruit that is picked before it has fully ripened, placed in a bowl or buried in rice, and then allowed to ripen fully at home.

In the case of the church in Ephesus, Paul wrote: "For three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." (Acts 20:31).

Because Paul preached for three years in Ephesus, many people there came to faith through his teaching; thus, these believers are considered "Unripe".

Baked Fruit

Those who were unable to believe or "ripen" spiritually may eventually come to faith due to the intense suffering and trials of the tribulation period. Although they attain this faith, they will be slain by the sword as a result of it. Regarding these people, Scripture says:

"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been." (Revelation 6:9-11).  

Why are these souls found under the altar? Because they did not accept Christ's sacrifice earlier and were thus slain by the sword. This is described in Scripture:  

"I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4).  

Thus, those slain by the sword are referred to as "baked." The reason lies in the analogy of grain offerings: unripe grains are typically baked before being offered. Scripture says:  

"If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the Lord, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire. Put oil and incense on it; it is a grain offering." (Leviticus 2:14-15).  

Will you wait until hardship strikes before believing, or will you believe now during this time of grace?

(Editor's Note: This also reminds us of Jesus Christ, who suffered as the perfect (baked) Grain Offering. He died specifically to provide salvation for all, including those who only come to faith through enduring suffering.)

Spoiled Fruit

Some fruits fail to ripen properly; instead, they rot until they become inedible and must be discarded. Similarly, there are people who provide no benefit to others, remain indifferent, or fail to reflect deeply on life while living comfortably in this world, yet remain attached to it. Although faced with difficulties and problems, they do not seek God's help; consequently, they cannot receive the salvation and eternal life that God offers.

If such people do not recognize their condition while alive, they will be like rotten fruit—living without purpose—and upon death, they will face hell and endure eternal torment. It would be better for them never to have been born at all, as their brief existence here is merely a prelude to endless suffering in the fires of hell. Are you among such people? Most people in the world fall into this category. They dislike having the truth spoken plainly and are easily offended; for these individuals, there is nothing left to do but feel sorrow for them.

 

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