Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Righteous Gemstones season 3!

setting up The Righteous Gemstones season 4.

The Righteous Gemstones season 3 introduces the Montgomery family, with Steve Zahn's Peter Montgomery acting as the main antagonist of the season. Peter is the brother-in-law of Eli Gemstone and the leader of a far-right Christian militia, with his followers having their eyes set on the heathenous Gemstone family. Headed into the final two episodes of The Righteous Gemstones season 3, Eli, Judy, and Kelvin have been kidnapped by the Montgomerys, the Gemstones' church has lost their biggest donor, and Baby Billy Freeman's game show is almost here, with all of these stories colliding in the finale.

What Happens In The Righteous Gemstones Season 3's Ending

The Gemstone Family Gets A Rare Happy Ending

After Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin escape Peter Montgomery's facility, they reunite with Eli, with Eli telling the siblings that they are going to run the church together. However, Peter isn't done with the Gemstones yet, with his son and Chuck driving a monster truck full of explosives to the Gemstone Salvation Center. There, the Gemstones are competing against the rival Simkins family in Baby Billy Freeman's Bible trivia game show, Baby Billy's Bible Bonkers. The winner will get the allegiance of Dusty Daniels, a NASCAR driver who used to be one of the Gemstones' most generous donors.

While Peter and Chuck blow up the first truck, Peter rigs another truck to explode, with him arriving at the Salvation Center. Once there, a massive swarm of locusts invade the studio, destroying the game show set and forcing everyone to flee. Jesse rescues Dusty, earning his allegiance for the Gemstones, while Peter realizes his wrongdoings and apologizes to Eli. However, Peter accidentally sets off the car bomb while killing a locust, with him sacrificing himself by getting in the truck and driving away.

Dusty Daniels dies soon after, with him leaving his estate to the Gemstones. It is then revealed that Peter survived the explosion, with him becoming a changed man. Gideon tells Eli that he is interested in preaching, and the entire Gemstone family spends the day crushing things with the monster truck, ending The Righteous Gemstones season 3.

What Does The Plague Of Locusts Actually Mean?

Is It An Act Of God?

The plague of locusts seen in The Righteous Gemstones season 3 finale seemingly comes out of nowhere, with it being one of the biggest head-scratchers from the finale. While locusts are common in South Carolina, where The Righteous Gemstones takes place, this plague can be seen as an act of God, tying into the Biblical themes of the show. It can either be seen as a punishment for the Gemstones and the Montgomery family, or a moment of divine intervention designed to bring the family back together ahead of The Righteous Gemstones season 4's story.

The Gemstones Escape The Compound & The Montogmerys Are Redeemed

Peter Sacrafices Himself For The Gemstones

Two of the biggest recurring themes throughout The Righteous Gemstones are forgiveness and redemption, with both of these Biblical themes being present at the end of The Righteous Gemstones season 3. Throughout season 3, the Gemstone siblings are furious with Eli due to his handling of their succession at the church and the ransom situation. However, they forgive Eli by the end of the finale, with him highlighting how the situation forced the trio to work together for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Montgomery family, who were the main villains of season 3, found redemption in the finale. Peter's decision to sacrifice himself by driving the explosive truck away from the Salvation Center is what gave Eli the sign to forgive him. This isn't the first time that a villain has been redeemed at the end of a season, with Baby Billy finding redemption after The Righteous Gemstones season 1.

Why The Gemstones Decide Not To Cheat On Baby Billy's Bible Bonkers

It Shows That They Have Truly Changed

The financial of Dusty Daniels is on the line during Baby Billy's Bible Bonkers, which is why Baby Billy attempts to give the Gemstone siblings the answers ahead of the show. However, they refuse to take them. While this may seem out of character for the siblings, it highlights how they've changed for the better. Firstly, it shows that they are willing to be honest, better people even in the face of such stakes. It also shows that they actually have become confident in their Biblical knowledge, which previously seemed like an afterthought to Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin.

The Real Meaning Of The Righteous Gemstones Season 3's Ending

It Has Some Biblical Themes

The Righteous Gemstones has some surprisingly Biblical themes considering the comedic and profane nature of the show. Season 3's ending is all about redemption, forgiveness, and honesty, with both the Gemstones and the Montgomery family doing things wrong. The radical militia approach to faith of the Montgomery family and the profiteering, commercialized approach to faith demonstrated by the Gemstones is not the correct way according to The Righteous Gemstones season 3. Instead, they need to focus more on being humble, forgiving, and loving, traits that everyone should aspire to.

How The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 Sets Up Season 4

The Final Season Is Almost Here

The Righteous Gemstones season 3 may be over, but its ending sets up the story of the fourth season. Now that Eli has seemingly retired, season 4 will give a lot of focus to Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin's attempts to run the church. Season 4 will see the trio have to prove themselves worthy of succeeding Eli, with them again attempting not to crash and burn the Salvation Center. They aren't the only Gemstones moving up in the world of preaching, however, as season 4 will likely follow up on Gideon's requests to become Eli's protégé.

It is also likely that the Montgomery family will return in The Righteous Gemstones season 4, continuing a trend of previous villains. Baby Billy Freeman became a main cast member after being one of the main antagonists of season 1. Since the Montgomery family has reunited with the Gemstones, it would be weird for them to not be around, with them likely being part of the ing cast in The Righteous Gemstones season 4.