On the spiritual road to our glorification, the Church will follow the pattern of Christ while on earth. Will we as individual members respect that pattern and not deviate from the path when the pressure is on? Historic/physical Israel, could not maintain faith as they were too afraid of the formidable Kings North and South of them to trust God for protection. Israel and Judah turned to collaboration with enemies to avoid slavery; spiritually that is the pattern for us to avoid. God shows His Firstfruits that even if enemies were to make us servants or conquer the nation we live in, even as suffering slaves (if necessary), we have a duty to light a path to the spiritual “things” of God for the blind world.

Jeffrey Herrera

Deacon, United Church of God

Jeff Herrera was born and raised in the Bronx, New York and currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter. He was ordained a Deacon in the United Church of God on Pentecost of 2015.