Dear brethren,    
        
Being a pioneer was not an easy life for those early settlers who came to establish the Jamestown colony of Virginia.  Mortality was especially high at Jamestown due to disease and starvation.  Over eighty percent of the colonists perished during the winter of 1609-1610 in what became known as the "Starving Time."

There were about five hundred Jamestown residents at the beginning of the winter, but by the time spring arrived there were only sixty  people still alive. 

Jamestown survived.  The rugged individuals who endured were part of the thirteen original colonies which grew and outstretched until the westward expansion.

These were the first, and those who came after had it a little easier as more resources for food, water, medical care, and other amenities of civilization became available. 
 
In every sense of the word we of the church, the ecclesia,  "called out ones", are pioneers of a way of life lived only by a small minuscule part of the world.  We follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who is the firstborn from the dead, and the "Firstfruit" and our forerunner.

I Cor. 15:20-23 "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming."

"Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures."  (James 1:18)

We are the first to receive the Holy Spirit of humankind, and generally it is not available to everyone as yet.  A person must be called and drawn by the Father in Heaven to Christ to receive the Holy Spirit upon repentance and baptism by immersion. (John 6:44, Acts 2:38)

Rom. 8:22-23 "For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." 

Pentecost is called the Feast of Firstfruits in the Old Testament, and it pictures the calling of the Church of God, the pioneers of God's way of life. We must build holy righteous character, and be obedient to the commandments, laws and statutes.  Holding fast to God's way of righteousness in this world filled with wickedness isn't easy, but it serves as part of our training as we prepare to be teachers in the world tomorrow.   

God  cannot "call in the class" (of the world tomorrow) until He has "trained the teachers" (saints) who will be prepared to help the multiple millions who will urgently need guidance when Christ returns to set up His government on earth.

Have an enriching Sabbath as we look toward Pentecost!    
        
Your minister and friend,                                             

Jim Tuck