The Early and Latter Rain: Preparing for the Final Harvest

Joel 2:2-4

2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

Joel 2:23

23 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.

Deuteronomy 11:14

14 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.

Jeremiah 5:24

24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

Deuteronomy 32:2

2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

Revelation 16:14-15

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

1 Timothy 4:1

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Ezekiel 37:1-10

1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

The early and latter rains are spiritual symbols of the Holy Spirit's work in the church, essential for the germination, growth, and final ripening of the soul for heavenARSH September 2, 1851, page 23.2+2. These divine outpourings prepare God's people for the final harvest and protect them against the rising tide of spiritual deceptionsGC 611.2+2.

The Dual Outpouring: Early and Latter Rain

The natural seasons of Palestine are used to illustrate the history of the gospelCIS 119.1.

• The Early Rain: Given at the commencement of the Christian age on the Day of Pentecost, the former rain caused the gospel seed to germinate and take root in the hearts of the early disciples Acts 2:1-4ARSH September 2, 1851, page 23.2+1.

• The Latter Rain: Falling at the close of time, the latter rain ripens the golden harvest, perfecting the character and preparing the church for the coming of the Son of man Joel 2:233SG 19.2+1.

• The Purpose of Growth: Just as God gives the first and latter rain so that His people may gather in their corn, wine, and oil, He gives the Spirit to ensure spiritual maturity Deuteronomy 11:14ARSH February 26, 1857, page 132.38.

• Divine Faithfulness: The Lord is the one who gives rain in its season and reserves the appointed weeks of the harvest, showing His control over the time of the end Jeremiah 5:24BDOC 80.16+1.

Spiritual Perfection and the Refreshing

Receiving the Holy Spirit is the supreme requirement for finishing the work of God on earthGCB April 7, 1903, page 107.1.

• Teaching Righteousness: The former rain is identified as a "teacher of righteousness," sent to convict of sin and lead to truth Joel 2:23ARSH September 2, 1851, page 23.2+1.

• Transformation of Character: The latter rain performs the work of ripening the grain, which represents the completion of God's grace in the soul and the full restoration of the moral image of God in manTM 506.1+1.

• The Times of Refreshing: This special bestowal of grace is the "refreshing" that must come from the presence of the Lord to blot out sins and empower the loud cry of the third angel Acts 3:19-20LDE 186.3+1.

Protection Against End-Time Deceptions

As the close of probation approaches, spirits of devils will work to deceive the world and the churchNTMS 33.1+1.

• Seducing Spirits: The Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times, some will depart from the faith by giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils 1 Timothy 4:1Ev 624.3+1.

• Spiritualism and False Wonders: These miracles are wrought by the spirits of devils to gather the nations to the battle of the great day of God Almighty Revelation 16:14SYNPT 241.2+1.

• The Need for Vigilance: While the world is deceived by lying wonders, Christ's followers must watch and keep their garments, lest they walk naked and their shame be seen Revelation 16:1516MR 130.2+1.

Preparation for the Harvest

The latter rain cannot bring the seed to perfection unless the early showers have already done their work in the heartLDE 183.3+1.

• Daily Advancement: Only those who are daily improving their opportunities and living up to the light they have will be able to recognize and receive the latter rain when it fallsTM 506.1+1.

• A Pure Heart: The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed through the confession and forsaking of sin to be ready for the baptism of the Holy SpiritLDE 193.1+1.

• The Danger of Neglect: Many make a terrible mistake by neglecting the necessary preparation now, hoping the latter rain will eventually fit them for the day of the LordCET 112.3+1.

• Asking in Faith: We are commanded to ask for rain in the time of the latter rain, for God alone can ripen the harvest, though He requires our co-operation Zechariah 10:1TM 506.1+1.