Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Righteous Gemstones season 4, episode 3!
The Righteous Gemstonesseason 4, episode 3 is finally here, and here is what happens at the end of the episode, including why Jesse Gemstone decides to do that to Vance Simkins.The Righteous Gemstonesgot off to an interesting start, with episode 1 entirely being a flashback focused onBradley Cooper’s Elijah Gemstoneduring the Civil War. Episode 2 finally reintroduced the main cast ofThe Righteous Gemstones, focusing on the Gemstones as they prepared for the Aimee-Leigh Gemstone Birthday Give-a-Thon. Now,The Righteous Gemstonesseason 4, episode 3 is getting the ball rolling even further.

The main story ofThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 4, episode 3 focuses on Eli attempting to hide his relationship with Lori, the best friend of thelate Aimee-Leigh Gemstone, from his three children. Meanwhile, Jesse is in a conflict with Eli over their mentorship of Jesse’s oldest son, Gideon.Kelvin is attempting to run his new LGBTQ+ friendly branch of Gemstone Ministries, leading to him getting nominated for the Christ Following Man of the Year competition. Finally, Judy had to deal with the fallout of BJ’s pole dancing accident, with her fearing that she may lose him.
Jesse Has His Friends Burn Down Vance Simkins' Church In Season 4, Episode 3
After They Open A Location Across From The Gemstones
Jesse’s four friends were big parts of the story ofThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 1, with them also being in the drug-fueled sex tape that was being used to blackmail the Gemstones. Since then, they have been rehabilitated and made part of Jesse’s leadership team, with them reporting to Jesse about news from across Gemstone Ministries. InThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 4, episode 3,the leadership team reports to Jesse while he is mentoring Gideon. They tell him that Vance Simkins has opened a brand-new church across from a Gemstones campus.
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Although he is angry, Jesse attempts to set a good example for his son. He decides to preach a sermon about Gemstone Ministries followers who have moved to Vance Simkins' church, as it seen at the end of the episode. However, under the cover of night, Jesse’s leadership time puts on masks and burns down the Simkins' campus. It isn’t explicitly revealed that Jesse ordered them to do this. However, based on their track record, it would be out of character for them to make this drastic move without Jesse’s approval.

The Simkins were the Gemstones' main rivals inThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 3, although the Gemstones ended up beating them by winning the allegiance of NASCAR driver Dusty Daniels. However, the Simkins seem to be gaining ground, with Jesse clearly being flustered by their encounter at the Cape and Pistol Society. In the wake of Eli’s retirement, Jesse can’t let the Simkins win, explaining his order to burn the church down.
The Gemstones' Rivalry With The Simkins May Continue To Heat Up In Season 4
After Jesse’s Arson Decision
Jesse’s drastic decision regarding the new Simkins church will celarly have some impacts on thefuture ofThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 4, meaning that the rivalry between the Gemstones and the Simkins will undoubtedly continue to heat up throughout season 4. Although the Simkins played a role inThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 3, they were forgotten about for a majority of the season, with their storyline not really returning until the finale. However, this episode 3 cliffhanger teases that they will play a much bigger role inThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 4.
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Although Jesse and Vance are the ones who are feuding in season 4, episode 3, this action will probably get the other two Gemstones and the other two Simkins involved. News of Vance’s church burning down will undoubtedly spread, leading to fingers being pointed.The Simkins family will most likely retaliate, finding a way to get revenge on the Gemstones. This could be one of the main stories inThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 4, building off of the Simkins' season 3 story.

Jesse has been jealous that Gideon is going to Eli for guidance on his path to becoming a minister, which is what led to Jesse and Gideon’s encounter with the leadership team. Although Jesse wants to set a good example for Gideon, the decision to burn down Vance Simkins' church is a sign that Jesse is going back to his old ways. Since Gideon already started out as a criminal inThe Righteous Gemstonesseason 1, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Jesse’s bad behavior would put Gideon back on the wrong path. However, it is impossible to say untilThe Righteous Gemstonescontinues.
The Righteous Gemstones
Cast
The Righteous Gemstones follows the story of a renowned televangelist family, embroiled in a legacy marked by deviance, greed, and charitable acts, all under the guise of religious devotion. Released in 2019, the series explores their complex dynamics and the challenges they face in maintaining their public image.