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Who will receive the Latter Rain? Has the Latter Rain begun to fall? Has the Latter Rain ever begun to
fall? What is the Latter Rain? These are all very important questions that involve each of us. Deceptions abound in the world and in the church. Satan has had 6,000 years to prepare for this day. If we think the deceptions ceased long ago, we will certainly be surprised when we find out that most professing Christians are on the wrong side of the battle between good and evil. As it was in the days of Israel when they, the chosen people of God, put to death God's dear Son, so it is today. It will be the professed people of God that persecute those who love God and keep His commandments.
There are many that have been encouraging church members to pray for the Latter Rain. That would seem to be good counsel. But, what if a Laodicean was praying for the Latter Rain not knowing it would not fall upon him? To encourage those who have never received the "Former Rain" to pray for the "Latter Rain" would seem to be aiding Satan in his work of keeping the blind blind.
Why is it necessary for the Christian to be receiving the Former Rain before he can receive the Latter Rain? We first need to understand what we are speaking of when we say Former and Latter Rain. We need to understand the purpose God has in sending the "Rain" upon His children. What is the Latter Rain?
As diligent Bible students, we first turn, not to man, but to Scripture to understand what God means. The first mention of the term latter rain in found in Deuteronomy, verses 13 and 14 in chapter 11. "And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil."
| The latter rain brings the crop to maturity |
Here we see the use of latter rain, but rather than "former rain", we find "first rain". We find the object lesson in nature. God gives humanity rain that we might have food. Both the first rain which gets the seed to germinate and starts the growth of the plant, then the latter rain that brings the crop to maturity and the harvest. And again in Joel: "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil." 2:23,24. Here we see the term "former rain" being used to describe the "first rain".
Here are two last verses to study that we might understand the Spiritual application when using the term "Latter Rain". "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:7,8.
James is here pointing us to the spiritual lesson using the early and latter rain. As the plant cannot grow without the rain, both the former and the latter, so it is with the Christian in the last days just before the coming of Christ. James tells us the "husbandman" waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth." We, too, are to be patient, preparing our hearts for the soon coming of Jesus. As the plants need rain to live, so it is with us, we need God. Jesus has left this Earth, but before leaving He made a promise that we would not be left alone. He promised the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. That Gift was richly poured out on the Day of Pentecost when great power came upon those in the upper room. Before the disciples could receive the pouring out of the Spirit, there was a work to do. So it is in our day. If we wish to glorify God by receiving the Holy Spirit in great power (the Latter Rain), we must first have received the Former Rain.
The "Early Rain" or "Former Rain" is understood in two ways. First it was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4. This pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost will be seen again as the Latter Rain in our day, but in greater measure.
Secondly, we use the term Former Rain as pertaining to the receiving of the Holy Spirit prior to our receiving the Latter Rain. If we are not receiving the Spirit in the Former Rain, we shall not be given greater amounts of the Spirit when the Latter Rain falls. While there is associated with the Latter Rain, great power as on the Day of Pentecost, more important is what the Latter Rain reveals to those who are seeking more light. It is true there will be additional truths made known, but that is not what is most important.
Before revealing the blessing to be poured out, let's consider the office of the Holy Spirit. For what
| He shall teach you all things |
purpose are we given the Holy Spirit? What did Jesus say when He promised the Spirit would come? "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26. It is the work of the third person of the godhead to reveal truth to us. He is the great Teacher, without which our minds could not be enlightened.
Before the Spirit will come into the heart of the sinner, there must first be a work done in the life of the sinner. He must be brought to repentance. What causes this repentance not to be repented of? Is it not the "goodness of God"? Until there is "godly sorrow" for what we have done to the bleeding Lamb of God, there is no repentance not to be repented of. How is it we come to know of this great unmerited gift which is offered to us at such a great price? It is through the teaching of the Holy Spirit. He is the One that is revealing the stripes laid upon our Lord, the stripes which ought to have been mine and yours. We are saved by grace. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal to us that grace which surrounds us as thick as the air we breathe.
Now we are beginning to see a picture develop in which the Holy Spirit plays the important role. Who was it that caused you to fall on your face because standing on your feet was too high in the presence of our God? If you have seen God, then it was the Holy Spirit that revealed Him. As you read about Jesus, as you listen to His Words, it is the Spirit revealing that unfathomable love. It is the Spirit of God seeking entrance into your heart. If you deny Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, your whole heart, then what do you think He can do when you ask for the Latter Rain which is the Holy Spirit in greater measure?
The Latter Rain is already beginning to fall. Will it fall on all who profess to be Christians? We know it won't. Will it fall on all Seventh-day Adventists? We know it won't. Will it fall on you, or will fall all around you? "Only those who are living up to the light they have, will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it." FLB 333
Do you wish to know more about the loveliness of Jesus? If so, then the Spirit is teaching you each day.
| The all important theme the Latter Rain will bring is the righteousness of Christ. |
If your study is not the goodness of God, then how can the Holy Spirit fall on you in great power. The all important theme the Latter Rain will bring is the righteousness of Christ. These are not words when falling, but it is the grace of God revealed in the character of our Savior and God. I pray this has inspired an interest in the righteousness of Christ and what the Spirit is attempting to do in our lives.
There will soon be only two classes of people in the world. Those who have the seal of God, and those who do not. Today is the day of salvation. Soon Jesus will throw down His censor and leave the precincts of the heavenly Sanctuary never more to forgive sins. He delays this departure and His coming in glory, that those of us who are not yet prepared to live in a heavenly kingdom where there is no sin, might gain the experience necessary to fit us for such a home. It is only through grace this may be obtained. It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that we can see how far short we come, in and of ourselves, in being prepared to meet Jesus. It is the Spirit indwelling the heart that empowers a sinner to become a partaker of God's divine nature. It is Christ through the Spirit that transforms the character of the truly converted Christian..
It would be well to heed the counsel of the true Witness, to buy of Him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eye salve. If we do not yet understand what this means, then let us pray to God for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes that we might see. It would also be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ, especially the closing scenes. While we have been teaching from the Bible, I would be remiss if I did not testify to two things. It is by beholding Jesus in a book called The Desire of Ages that I have had so clear a revelation of my Lord that I know I am too high when fallen on my face. And, as I have come in contact with others of our faith, I also testify that those who I have found to be standing firmly on the Rock of our salvation have also been beholding Jesus in the same manner. This most beautiful revelation of Christ is God's gift to the world that we might know Him who gave all for us while we were yet sinners.
It is not too late to turn to Jesus with the whole heart. Pray, "Lord take my heart for I cannot give it, I believe take away my unbelief." Sincerely praying this, Christ will not desert you. The Holy Spirit is searching the Earth for all who are seeking to give their hearts to Christ. May God forgive us our sins, cleanse our hearts, and prepare us for the battle that has begun in earnest and for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Latter Rain power.
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