"Christ had an infinite variety of subjects from which to choose
in His teaching, but the one upon which He dwelt most largely was the
endowment of His Holy Spirit."
John 14:1-3.
Before departing, Jesus promised to return.
Matthew 24:3.
He gave signs by which His people could know the generation of His
coming and the end of the world.
Matthew 24:33-35.
He identified the generation which would not pass.
Acts 2:17-21. Joel 2:23.
The Scriptures tell us that before His coming there will be a special
manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit similar to that which came
on the day of Pentecost.
Revelation 18:1-4.
It is this outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will attend the Loud Cry,
and lighten the earth with God's glory.
The Loud Cry is a Message. The latter rain is the Holy Spirit, which
comes to give power to that message.
Early Writings, p. 85.
"At that time the Latter Rain, or refreshing from the presence of
the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel,
and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues
shall be poured out."
Acts of the Apostles, p. 54.
"It is true that in the time of the end, when God's work in the
earth is closing, the earnest efforts put forth by consecrated believers
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are to be accompanied by special
tokens of divine favor. Under the figure of the early and the latter rain,
that falls in eastern lands at seedtime and harvest, the Hebrew prophets
foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon
God's church. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was
the beginning of the early or former rain, and glorious was the result. To
the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true
church.
"But near the close of earth's harvest, a special bestowal of
spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the
Son of Man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the
latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send
their petitions to the Lord of the harvest 'in the time of the latter
rain'. In response 'the Lord will make bright clouds and give them showers
of rain'. He will cause to come down . . . the rain, the former and the
latter rain."
Revelation 14:6,7.
For about (159) years we have proclaimed this great three-fold Message
- that the hour of God's judgment has come, and that the Lord is coming in
this generation. We expected Him to come many years ago, and urged people
to prepare at once to meet Him. Now we are face to face with the solemn
question which should grip the heart of every believer - Why has not the
latter rain been poured out, and the work finished? Some assume that the
Lord has a certain date determined beforehand for the finishing of the
work, and when that time arrives it will be done. However, this is not in
harmony with the teachings of the Bible or of the Testimonies.
Jonah. Hezekiah. 2 Kings 20:1-6.
We are definitely told in the Bible and the Testimonies that the coming
of Christ has been delayed, and the reason for the delay.
Review and Herald March 19, 1895.
"The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is looked forward
to as in the future; but it is the privilege of the church to have it now.
Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it, and heaven is
waiting to bestow it."
Review and Herald October 6, 1896.
"If those who claimed to have a living experience in the things of
God, had done their appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world
would have been warned ere this and the Lord Jesus would have come in
power and great glory."
Australian Union Record, October 15, 1898.
"If God’s people had the love of Christ in the heart; if every
church member were thoroughly imbued with the spirit of self-denial; if
all manifested thorough earnestness, there would be no lack of funds for
home and foreign missions; our resources would be multiplied; a thousand
doors of usefulness would be opened, and we would be invited to enter.
"Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving
the message of mercy to the world, Christ would have come o the' earth,
and the saints would ere this have received their welcome into the city of
God."
That the coming of the Lord has been delayed, and that His people are
responsible for the delay is further illustrated in the experience of
ancient Israel.
Great Controversy p. 457-458.
"The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the
past experience of the Adventist body. God led His people in the Advent
movement, even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt. In the great
disappointment their faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the
Red Sea. Had they still trusted to the guiding hand that had been with
them in their past experience, they would have seen of the salvation of
God. If all who had labored unitedly in the work in 1844 had received the
Third Angel's message and had proclaimed it in the power of the Holy
Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily through their efforts. A
flood of light would have been shed upon the world. Years ago the
inhabitants of the earth would have been warned, the closing work
completed, and Christ would have come for the redemption of His people.
"It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years
in the wilderness. He desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan,
and establish them there a holy, happy people. But ‘they could not enter
in because of unbelief'. Because of their backsliding and apostasy they
perished in the desert, and others were raised up to enter the promised
land. In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ
should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years in
this world of sin and sorrow. But unbelief separated them from God. As
they refused to do the work which He had appointed them, other were raised
up to do the work."
God led them those 40 years by pillar of cloud and fire and fed them
angels’ food. It was still His movement but they should have been in the
land of Canaan.
Testimonies Vol. 6 p. 450.
"Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving
to the world the message of mercy, Christ would ere this have come to the
earth, and the saints world have received their welcome into the city of
God. "
General Conference Bulletin March 30, 1903.
"The lesson of this record is for us. The Lord had prepared the
way before His people. They were very near the promised land. A little
while and they would have entered Canaan. They themselves had delayed the
entering . . . Had they put their trust in God they could have gone
straight in. God would have gone before them. . . Brethren and sisters,
from the light given me I know that if the people of God had preserved a
living connection with Him, if they had obeyed His word, they could today
be in the heavenly Canaan."
Manuscript 4, 1883.
"For 40 years did unbelief, murmuring and rebellion shut out
ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the
entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were
the promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the worldliness,
unconsecration, and strife among the Lord's professed people that have
kept us in this world of sin and sorrow, so many years."
If the full significance of these words should penetrate our minds it
would bring a mighty awakening and revival. The very fact that Jesus
wanted to come and would have come so many years ago, but we were not
ready, should startle us. We might be in heaven today. How much longer
must the Lord wait for us?
Naturally the younger people will say, I am glad He did not come fifty
years ago for I was not born then. Suppose He should be delayed another
fifty years - would not the young say the same? Such reasoning would
postpone His coming indefinitely.
Naturally we look at such matters from our personal standpoint, but we
need to see it from God's viewpoint also.
Education p. 263.
"Those who think of the result of hastening or hindering the
Gospel, think of it in relation to themselves and to the world. Few think
of its relation to God. Few give thought to the suffering that sin has
caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ's agony; but that
suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The
cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that from its very
inception, sin has brought to the heart of God."
If we really love God, what shame and horror we shall feel to think
that the coming of Christ and the end of sin have been delayed so many
years, while God has continued to suffer the agony revealed to our dull
senses at the cross.
Matthew 25:1-5.
The Savior gave this parable to represent the two classes in the church
at the time of His coming. It states that the "Bridegroom
tarried", which is in harmony with the preceding statements. It also
states that His people "slumbered and slept", though unprepared
for His coming.
The reason for the delay is made very plain in the Bible and
Testimonies. How could the latter rain be poured out upon the sleeping
virgins, or upon the churcl in the Laodicean condition?
Testimonies Vol. 1 p, 486.
"God's people are not prepared for the loud cry of the third
angel. They have a work to do for themselves, which they should not leave
for God to do for them. He has left this work for them to do: It is an
individual work; one cannot do it for another."
Testimonies Vol 8 p. 21.
"Christ declared that the divine influence of the Spirit was to be
with His followers unto the end. But the promise is not appreciated as it
should be; and therefore its fulfillment is not seen as it might be. The
promise of the Spirit is a matter little thought of; and the result is
only what might be expected, spiritual drouth, spiritual darkness,
spiritual declension and death. Minor matters occupy the attention, and
the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the
church, and which would bring all other blessings in its train, is
lacking, though offered in its infinite plentitude."
Early Writings, p. 71.
"I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful, and
were looking to the 'time of refreshing' and the latter rain to fit them
to stand in the day of the Lord, and to live in His sight. 0, how many I
saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the
needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that
all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a Holy God. Those who
refuse to be hewed by the prophets, and fail to purify their souls in
obeying the whole truth and who are willing to believe that their
condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the
falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and
squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it, and no
Mediator to plead their cause before the Father."
Review and Herald, July 21, 1896.
"Every truly converted soul will be intensely desirous to bring
others from the darkness of error into the marvelous light of the
Righteousness of Jesus Christ. The great outpouring of the Spirit of God,
which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have
an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be
laborers together with God. When we have entire, whole-hearted
consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an
outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will-not be while the
largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God."
How sad to think that the coming of our Savior is delayed because we
are too occupied with other things to study and become enlightened
regarding the necessary preparation for the latter rain, which is so
plainly revealed in His instructions to us.
Appeal to Our churches in Behalf of Home Miss. Work p 21.
"Isaiah says, 'Thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory
of the Lord shall be thy rearward'. Ye churches of the living God, study
this promise, and consider how your lack of faith, of spirituality, of
divine power, is hindering the coming of the kingdom of God. Were every
one of you a living missionary, the gospel would be speedily proclaimed in
all countries, to all peoples, nations and tongues."
Some seem to believe that the latter rain is now falling in far-away
places; others believe it is falling everywhere, though not in its
fullness. Is it possible that God has left this matter of such vital
importance to His people, and the finishing of His work, in such obscurity
that many sincere, honest souls are confused and do not know what to
believe? When we study the plain statements of the Bible and Testimonies,
all this uncertainty will be cleared away.
Testimonies to Ministers, p. 506.
"In the East the former rain falls at the sowing time. It is
necessary in order that the seed may germinate. Under the influence of the
fertilizing showers, the tender shoot springs up. The latter rain, falling
near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it for the
sickle. The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the work
of the Holy Spirit. As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the
seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is
given to carry forward from one stage to another the process of spiritual
growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of
God's grace in the soul. By the power of he Holy Spirit the moral image of
God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed
into the likeness of Christ.
"The latter rain ripening earth's harvest represents the spiritual
grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of Man. But
unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade
will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the
latter rain can bring no sheaves to perfection."
There are three ways in which we may apply the expressions - early and
latter rain:
1. Dispensationally - Pentecost and the end.
2. Generation - l844 and the end.
3. Personal - Conversion to the Advent Message, and the end.
Test. to Ministers and Workers p. 507.
"Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain.
They have not obtained all the benefits that God, has thus provided for
them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When
the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open
their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. . .
"At no point in our experience can we dispense with the assistance
of that which enables us to make the first start. The blessings received
under the former rain are needful to us till the end. Yet these alone will
not suffice. While we cherish the blessing of the early rain, we must not,
on the other hand, lose sight of the fact that without the latter rain to
fill out the ears and ripen the grain, the harvest will not be ready for
the sickle, and the labor of the sower will have been in vain. . .
"If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an
attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our
souls and the responsibility will lie at our own door."
This makes it plain that the latter rain will not be received nor
benefit any who have not obtained the necessary experience under the early
rain. A certain Christian character must be attained or the latter rain
will be of no avail.
The illustration makes this plain. If the grain is sown in October but
no early rain fell, the crop could not be ready for the harvest at the
time of the latter rain in March.
It may be well to notice some events which we are told will take place
before the latter rain is poured out. Then we shall notice the immediate
effect of the outpouring of the latter rain.
Early Writings, p. 261.
"I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists,
and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out,
ministers and people will be called out of these churches, and will gladly
receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third
angel, is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies that
those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them. He
hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think that God is still
working for the churches."
Early Writings, p. 269-271. The SHAKING.
Also Great Controversy, p. 621; Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 209-216.
The "shaking" is followed by the outpouring of the Spirit and
Loud Cry.
Testimonies Vol. 6, p. 400-401.
"As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be
seen in our ranks. . . Those who have had great light and precious
privileges but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another,
go out from us. . .
"But on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really
breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd's voice.
Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have
strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The
people of God will draw together, and present to the enemy a united front.
In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will
be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. No one of the true
believers will say, 'I am of Paul, or I of Appollos, or I of Cephas.' The
testimony of one and all will be, 'I cleave unto Christ; I rejoice in Him
as my personal Savior'. . . The love of Christ, the love of our brethren,
will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him.
Then will the message of the Third Anger angel swell to a loud cry, and
the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord."
The following paragraphs will make it plain that there need be no
uncertainty on the part of those who have prepared for the latter rain,
when it is falling.
Great Controversy p. 612.
"Servants of God with their faces lighted up and shining with holy
consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from
heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be
given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and
wonders will follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders,
even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the
inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand."
Early Writings p. 278-279.
"A compelling power moved the honest, while the manifestation of
the power of God brought a fear and restraint upon their unbelieving
relatives and friends, so that they dared not neither had they the power
to hinder those who felt the work of the Spirit of God upon them. . .
"Mighty miracles were wrought, the sick were healed, and signs and
wonders followed the believers. . . I saw that this work will close with
power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry. Souls that were
scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the
precious were hurried out of the doomed churches as Lot was hurried out of
Sodom before her destruction."
Some seem to think the latter rain has been falling for many years. We
have no information as to how long this experience will continue, but we
have this statement in
Early Writings, p. 277.
"This message seemed to be an addition to the third message
joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel's message in
l844."
The midnight cry, beginning in July and closing in October 1844
continued about three months. G.C. p. 604. E.W. P. 85, 86.
Let us now return to the question - Why has not the latter rain come?
The promise is made in Joel 2:23, but that promise is evidently the climax
of an experience to which God summons His people from the first verse of
the chapter. This chapter is a brief outline of God's program for the
finishing of His work.
Joel 2:1, and Revelation 3:14-18 call for Alarm and revival and
Reformation.
Joel 2:12,13, - victory over sin - Righteousness by Faith.
Joel 2:15-17, 18, 23 - Latter Rain and Loud Cry.
Joel 3:9-12 - God summons all the nations to prepare for war - to
awake and prepare for the final struggle. It is amazing to see how the
world has responded. Millions did not want war - yet some mysterious power
impelled them.
Why do not God's people respond as earnestly, and follow His
instructions as definitely as the heathen nations?
Let us now notice some statements regarding our present condition.
Early Writings p. 119
"I saw that the remnant was not prepared for what is coming upon
the earth. Stupidity, like lethargy, seemed to hang upon the minds of most
of those who profess to believe that we are having the last message. My
accompanying angel cried out with awful solemnity, Get ready! Get ready!
Get ready! for the fierce anger of the Lord is soon to come. His wrath is
to be poured out unmixed with mercy, and ye are not ready. Rend the heart
and not, the garment. A great work is to be done for the remnant."
Testimonies Vol 4, p. 600.
"We are upon the enchanted ground, and Satan is continually at
work to rock our people to sleep in the cradle of carnal security. There
is an indifference, a lack of zeal, that paralyzes all our efforts."
Testimonies Vol 5, p. 310.
"You should keep off from Satan's enchanted ground and not allow
your minds to be swayed from allegiance to God."
Testimonies Vol 9, p. 123.
"We must no longer sleep on Satan's enchanted ground, but call
into requisition all our resources, avail ourselves of every facility with
which providence has furnished us."
Early Writings p. 120.
"I saw that God's people are on the enchanted ground, and that
some have lost nearly all sense of the shortness of time and the worth of
the soul."
Early Writings p. 60.
"Said the angel, 'remember thou art on the enchanted ground.' I
saw that we must, watch and have on the, whole armor, and take the shield
of faith, and then we shall be able to stand, and the fiery darts of the
wicked cannot harm us."
Great Controversy p. 601.
"We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of
God. We have not a moment to lose. Events of vital importance are taking
place around us; we are on Satan's enchanted ground. Sleep not, sentinels
of God; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you become
lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey."
Review and Herald March 22, 1887.
"If we have any regard for our souls salvation, we must make a
decided change. We must seek the Lord with true penitence; we must with
deep contrition of soul confess our sins, that they may be blotted out. We
must no longer remain upon the enchanted ground."
Testimonies Vol 6 p. 31.
"The time in which we live is a time of intense excitement.
Ambition and war, pleasure and money making, absorb the minds of men.
Satan sees that his time is short, and he has set all his agencies at
work, that men may be deceived, deluded occupied, and entranced until
probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut."
Enchantment - Magic, sorcery, witchcraft, spell, charm, fascination.
Thus we can see the problem which the church faces today. The work can be
finished only by the power of the latter rain. That is promised only on
definite conditions, which we have not met. The church is represented as
ten sleeping virgins, and as Laodiceans who are complacent and
self-satisfied though unprepared for His coming. Surely this is the time
for the Message of Joel 2 to be sounded everywhere.
Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1890.
"Meetings should beheld in every church for solemn prayer and
earnest searching of the word to know what is truth. Take the promises of
God and ask God in living faith for the outpouring of His Holy Spirit;
when the Holy Spirit is shed upon us, marrow and fatness will be drawn
from the word of God. When the churches become living, working churches,
the Holy Spirit will be given in answer to their sincere request. Then the
truth of God's word will be regarded with new interest, and will be
explored as if it were a revelation just from the courts above. Every
declaration of inspiration concerning Christ will take hold of the inmost
soul of those who love Him. Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, will cease.
The Bible will be regarded as a charter from heaven. Its study will absorb
the mind and its truths will feast the soul. The promises of God now
repeated as if the soul had never tasted of His love, will then glow upon
the altar of the heart, and fall with burning words from the lips of the
messengers of God. They will then plead with souls with an earnestness
that cannot be repulsed. Then the windows of heaven will be opened for the
showers of the latter rain."
God expects His leaders and workers everywhere to present earnestly His
counsel in the Laodicean message, and sound the alarm; but unless we are
alarmed, we cannot alarm anyone else.
Testimonies Vol 8, p. 195.
"Those who stand in responsible positions in the work of the Lord
are represented as watchmen on the walls of Zion. God calls upon them to
sound an alarm among the people. Let it be heard in all the plain. The day
of woe, of wasting and destruction, is upon all who do unrighteousness.
With special severity will the Lord's hand fall upon the watchmen who have
failed to place before the people in clear lines their obligation to Him
who by creation and by redemption is their owner."
For more than a century God has been calling for a revival and
reformation among His people. When the Laodicean message of Revelation 3
and the alarm of Joel 2 are sounded according to God's purpose, the
revival and reformation will come.
Review and Herald, December 15, 1904.
"Leaving the first love is represented as a spiritual fall. Many
have fallen thus. In every church, in our land there is needed
confession, repentance, and re-conversion. The disappointment of Christ is
beyond description. Unless those who have sinned speedily repent, the
deceptions of the last days will overtake them. Some, though they realize
it not, are preparing to be overtaken. God calls for repentance without
delay. So long have many trifled with salvation that their spiritual
eyesight is dimmed, and they cannot discern between light and darkness.
Christ is humiliated in His people. The first love is gone, the faith is
weak, there is need of a thorough reformation.
"My brethren and sisters, humble your hearts before the Lord. Seek
Him earnestly. I have an intense desire to see you walking in the light as
Christ is in the light . . . You have left your first love.
Self-righteousness is not the wedding garment. A failure to follow the
clear light of truth is our fearful danger. The message to the Laodicean
church reveals our condition as a people."
Review and Herald, June 10, 1902.
"It is not because of any restriction on God's part that the
riches of His grace do not flow to men. His gift is Godlike. He gave with
a liberality that men do not appreciate because they do not love to
receive. If all were willing to receive, all would be filled with the
Spirit. By resting content with small blessings, we disqualify ourselves
for receiving the Spirit in its unlimited fulness. We are too easily
satisfied with a ripple on the surface, when it is our privilege to expect
the deep movings of the Spirit of God. Expecting little, we receive
little. . . When the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost it was
like a rushing, mighty wind. It was given in no stinted measure; for it
filled all the place where the disciples were sitting. So will it be given
to us when our hearts are prepared to receive it."