END
OF TIME SERIES
PART
NINE

THE
LATTER RAIN
One of the best descriptions of the relationship of the early to the
latter rain is to be found in Testimonies to Ministers, 506-507. But
the entire chapter is equally important (pp. 506512). The latter
rain is also spoken of as the "refreshing, " for it does
just that. It energizes the people of God to do a special work before the
general close of probation.
The decisions of men, knowingly made at the time of the terrible threat
of the Sunday law crisis, will determine whether they receive the mark or
the seal. The sealing, when it occurs, will seal in the blotting out of
sin experience. The latter rain is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and
it accompanies the sealing. As the Holy Spirit is withdrawn from those
receiving the mark, it is poured upon the sealed ones. The latter rain is
a powerful witness to the fact that God's faithful ones have been sealed.
But the latter rain is given for a special purpose. This outpouring
strengthens the faithful to give the loud cry warning to the world, and
to all who hear them; it brings intense conviction that they are speaking
the truth. In addition, signs, wonders, and healings will occur, and, as
in the days of the early rain experience of Acts 2, men will hear the message
each in their own language. (But we are told we must
not rely on miracles in the giving of our message, now or later. It is
primarily truth for truth's sake, empowered by the Holy Spirit which must
convict the hearers.)
It
is the Spirit-filled power of the loud cry message, which enables it to be
given so quickly and fully to every person living on earth.
Many approach this topic with one or another of several errors in
mind:
(1)
The error that the
Spirit is something THEY will have and control, which will make them GREAT
in the eyes of others. While, in reality, it will only be bestowed upon
those who are emptied of self. Only the meek and humble will receive of
the Spirit in large measure, and be used by the Spirit in giving the
Scripture message to others.
(2)
The error that the bestowal of the Spirit will enable them to invent new
doctrines, or that, having already invented new theories, they are thereby
spirit-filled. Only those humble enough to give ONLY the solid, clearly
written Bible, Spirit of Prophecy teachings will be worked by the Spirit.
(3)
The error that the
man-made machinery, man-made bigness, man-made boasting and applause, or
lots of baptisms is evidence of the outpouring of the Spirit.
(4)
The error that the latter rain is
already falling.
(5)
The error that obedience to man and man's policies will bring Spirit-filled success, more
than obedience to God and His Word.
(6) The error that the latter rain will bring a magical elimination of sin.
(7) The error that we cannot effectually work for God until we have received the latter
rain.
The latter rain
is an important topic. We should give it our most careful attention.
- 1 -
WHEN THE LATTER RAIN OCCURS
1
- The sealing occurs prior to the close of probation.
"The living righteous will receive the seal of God prior to the
close of probation."- 1 Selected Messages, 66:2.
2
- The latter
rain falls before the sealing is finished, and before the work
(loud cry) is closed up.
"Before
the work is closed up and the sealing of
God's people is finished, we shall receive the outpouring of
the Spirit of God."- 1 Selected Messages, 111:9.
3
- The latter rain falls before the
final judgments (the "final judgments" would be the plagues
which begin just after the general close of probation).
"Before
the final visitation of God's judgments upon
the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a
revival of primitive godliness as
has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God
will be poured out upon His children." -Great Controversy, 464:1.
4 - The latter rain falls at the time of the final
harvest (which would be the loud cry).
"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." -
Acts of the Apostles, 55:1.
"The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the
'former rain' was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the
opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so
the 'latter rain' will be given at its close for
the ripening of the harvest. " -Great Controversy,
611:2.
Therefore, in summary, the
latter rain will occur at the time of the sealing and the loud cry, and
before the close of probation and the plagues which follow it.
- 2
THE TIMING OF THE LATTER RAIN
It is not possible to set a date for the occurrence of this event, or
to determine time spans leading to or away from it. No date can be predicted
for the latter rain (1SM 188), and we should not try to time-set the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Ev 221). No light has been given us
regarding a definite time for this event (7BC 984). See our tract study; Its
No Time for Time Excitement [PG-21J, for quotations on this.
Although we cannot timeset the latter rain, we can
determine the sequence of when it will occur -in relation to other events. In this present study we
will examine a surprisingly large number of such sequences; about two dozen of them.
- 3
LATTER RAIN FALLS ON A SEALED PEOPLE
1 - Sequence:
(1) Needful preparation; (2) victory;
(3) seal, and latter rain (refreshing); (4) no high priestly ministration
during (great) time of trouble (after general close of probation).
"I also saw that many do not realize what they must be in order to
live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary
through the time of trouble. Those who receive
the seal of the living God and are protected In the time of trouble
must reflect the Image of Jesus fully.
"I saw that many were neglecting
the preparations 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. Oh, 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.
Before this time the awfully solemn declaration has gone forth, 'He that
is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be
filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he
that is holy, let him be holy still' I saw that none could share the 'refreshing' unless they obtain the
victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the
world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be
drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation
necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord."- Early Writings,
71:1-2.
2 - Sequence:
(1) It is now that we are to remedy our
defects and cleanse the soul temple. (2) It is later that the seal and
latter rain occur.
"Everyone
must now search the Bible for himself
upon his knees before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child
if he would know what the Lord requires of him. However high any minister
may have stood in the favor of God, if he neglects to follow out the light
given him of God, if he refuses to be taught as a little child, he will go
into darkness and satanic delusions and will lead others in the same path.
"Not
one
of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters
have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy
the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every
defilement. Then the latter rain will fall
upon us as the early rain
fell upon the disciples on the Day of
Pentecost." -5 Testimonies,
214:1-2.
- 4
THOSE WHO RECEIVE SEAL WILL ALREADY
HAVE HEARTS CLEANSED OF SIN
See Early Writings, 71:1-2 and 5 Testimonies,
214:1-2, quoted just above.
1
- Sequence: (1) Humility and soul purification; (2) national Sunday law
decree; (3) stamp (seal) impressed.
"What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of
preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the
worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are
distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before
God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth -these are receiving
the heavenly mold and preparing
for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for
eternity.
"Now
is the time to prepare. The seal of God
will never be
placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will
never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful
hearts. All who receive the seal must be
without spot before God-candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling
your attention to the necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures
for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the
present hour." -5
Testimonies, 218:1-2.
- 5 -
SEAL WILL ONLY BE PLACED ON THOSE PRAYING ABOUT AND REBUKING SIN
In the last days, just before the national Sunday law crisis, the
faithful will not only engage in earnest missionary work for those who
have never heard the message, but they will also be sighing and crying for
the sins done in the church.
1 - Sequence: (1) Sigh and cry because of wickedness; (2) receive seal.
"The
day of God's vengeance is just upon us. The seal of
God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who
sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. Those who link
in sympathy with the world are eating and drinking with the drunken
and will surely be destroyed with the workers of iniquity. 'The eyes of
the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers:
but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.' "-5 Testimonies,
212:3.
"Our
own course of action will determine whether we shall
receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons." -5 Testimonies,
212:3-4.
Note: Have men taught you
that it is wrong to reprove sin in the church? Heed them not. We are told
that those only who sigh and cry over the sins done in Israel will later
receive the seal.
2
- Sequence:
(1) Danger and depression of church the greatest; (2) little company are
standing in the light and sighing, crying because of wickedness in
world, -but especially because of the sins in the church; (3)
In the time of vengeance, God will protect them.
"The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the
time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the
little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying
for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially
will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its
members are doing after the manner of the world.
"The
earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord
comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of
all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept themselves
unspotted from the world." -5 Testimonies, 209:9-210:1.
3 - Sequence: (1) Sighing and crying, (2) ignored by the majority.
"In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these
humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of
the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation
and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a
cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere
prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's honor and a love for souls will
not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous
souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of
the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent
of Iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They
mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those
who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because
pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in
the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is
trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is
dishonored, the truth made of none effect."- 5 Testimonies,
210:3-211:0.
4 - Sequence: (1) Sigh, cry, reprove, counsel, entreat; (2) receive
God's mark.
"The command is: 'Go through the midst of the city, through
the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the
men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. '
These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life;
they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been
dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the
glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still
continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were
lacking." -5 Testimonies, 210:2.
5 - Sequence: (1) Grieving, mourning; (2) sealing.
"The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual
declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be
left without the seal of God."-5 Testimonies, 211:1.
6 - The sins in the church are more terrible than any
realize.
"The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could
be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which
provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed. The
great Searcher of hearts knoweth every sin committed in secret by the
workers of iniquity. These persons come to feel secure in their
deceptions and, because of His long-suffering, say that the Lord seeth
not, and then act as though He had forsaken the earth. But He will
detect their hypocrisy and will open before others those sins which they
were so careful to hide." -5 Testimonies, 211:3212:0.
7
- Sequence: (1) Clear view of sinfulness of sin; (2) sigh and cry; (3)
(seal).
"[Speaking
of those later sealed:) Their love for purity and the honor and glory of
God is such, and they have so clear a view of the
exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in
an agony, even sighing and crying."-Review, June 8, 1886.
8 - Sequence: (1) Sigh and cry over sins in church; (2)
receive mark of truth.
"Those who receive the pure mark of truth are those 'that sigh and cry for the abominations that
are done in the church. -Review,
June 8, 1886.
9 - Sequence: (1) Not
excuse sin, not murmur against those who are reproving it, and not
sympathizing with wrongdoers; (2) (seal).
"Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those
who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who
murmur in their hearts, if not openly against those who would reprove sin?
Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless
they repent, and leave the work of Satan in
oppressing those who have the burden of the work
and in holding up the hands of
sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's approval. "-3 Testimonies, 267:1.
10
- Sequence: (1) View sin as sin; (2)
deal faithfully and plainly with sin; (3)
in the sealing time will receive the pure mark of truth.
"The
true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of
the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its
real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful
and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially
In the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one
hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand
without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the
wrongs of God's professed people. This is
forcibly set forth by the prophet's illustration of the last work under
the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One
man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his
side. 'And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark
upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all
the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.'
"Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those
who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur
in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it
those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who
commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of
Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding
up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general
destruction of the wicked, represented
by the work of the five men bearing
slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure
mark of truth, wrought In them by the power of the Holy Ghost,
represented by a mark by the man in linen,
are those 'that sigh and that cry for all the abominations
that be done in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of
sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying.
Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.
"But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the
wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those
do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is described in
the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: 'Go ye after him through
the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay
utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but
come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.'
"In the case of Achan's sin God said to Joshua: 'Neither will I be
with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.' How
does this instance compare with the course pursued by those who will
not raise their voice against sin and wrong, but whose sympathies
are ever found with those who trouble the camp of Israel with
their sins? Said God to Joshua: 'Thou canst not stand before thine
enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.' He
pronounced the punishment which would follow the transgression of His
covenant.
"Joshua then began a diligent search to find out the guilty
one."-3 Testimonies, 266:2-268:1.
- 6 -
LATTER RAIN WILL GIVE POWER TO THE
THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE SWELLING IT INTO A LOUD CRY
We have faithful men today who, in their preaching, books, and tracts,
are giving the third angel's message. But it will be the latter rain which
will transform that proclamation into a loud cry which will fill the
entire world. Thus, the outpouring of the latter rain which begins the
loud cry, will result in sizeable numbers of genuine converts uniting with
the people of God. This will come after a major portion of the professed
Sabbath keepers have apostatized.
1 - Sequence: (1) Latter rain (refreshing); (2) loud cry.
"I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with
great power. . I asked what made this great change. An angel answered,
'It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the
Lord, the loud cry of the third angel" -Early Writings, 271:2.
2 - Sequence: (1) Latter rain; (2) loud cry.
"The glory of God rested upon the
patient waiting saints, and they fearlessly
gave the
last solemn message." -Early
Writings, 277:2-278:0.
3 - Sequence: (1) Latter rain; (2) loud cry; (3) plagues.
"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." -Early Writings, 86:0.
4 - Sequence: (1) (Little) time of trouble [which begins with the setting
up of the image and the national Sunday law decree]; (2) latter rain;
(3) loud cry.
"I saw that God had children who do not see and
keep the Sabbath. They have not rejected the light upon it. And at the commencement
of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy
Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully."-
Early Writings, 33:2 (85:2).
- 7
THE LATTER RAIN WILL CONTINUE AS THE POWER OF THE LOUD CRY
Throughout the time during which the latter rain experience continues, it
will be the Holy Spirit which will render the proclamation of the third
angel's message so powerful.
1
- Sequence: (1) Grow up into Christ;
(2) partake largely of His Spirit, His glory, and receive latter rain;
(3) faces shine; (4) third angel's message swells to loud cry, as great
power and glory attends its delivery; (5) time of Jacob s trouble, their
last conflict.
"As the members of the body of Christ approach the period of their
last conflict, 'the time of Jacob's trouble,' they
will grow up into Christ, and
will partake largely of His spirit. As the third message swells to
a loud cry, and as great power and glory attend the closing
work, the faithful people of God will partake of that glory. It
is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass
through the time of trouble. Their faces will shine with
the glory of that light which attends the third angel." -1 Testimonies,
353:3.
2 - Sequence: (1) Latter rain (refreshing); (2) loud cry.
"It [the third angel's message] is represented as being given with a
loud voice, that is with the power of the Holy Spirit. "-
7 Bible Commentary, 980/1:3.
3 - Sequence: (1) Latter rain (refreshing); (2) loud cry.
"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." Early Writings, 86:0.
4 - Sequence: (1) Weeping and praying; (2) severe conflict and agonizing
struggle; (3) mightily shaken, and careless and indifferent gone; (4)
others fill places; (5) obtained the victory; (6) latter rain,
refreshing; (7) faces shone with light, and expressions of deep gratitude
to God; (8) evil angels around them, but no longer have power over them;
(9) loud cry of third angel; (10) many responded.
"Said
the angel, 'List ye!' ['Listen!'] Soon I heard a voice
like many musical instruments all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and
harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard, seeming to be full
of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my
whole being. Said the angel, 'Look ye!' My attention was then turned to
the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them
had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from
their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a
company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict
which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed
through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now
shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained
the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest
gratitude and holy, sacred joy.
"The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken
out and left by the way. The careless and Indifferent, who
did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and
agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness,
and their places were Immediately filled by
others taking
hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. Evil angels still pressed around them, but could have no power over them.
"I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their
husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been
prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and
the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting
for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had
made this great change. An angel answered, 'It is the latter rain,
the refreshing from the
presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.' "-Early Writings,
270:4-271:2.
5 - Latter rain and
loud cry are inherently linked.
"The third angel, flying in the midst of heaven and heralding the commandments of God and the
testimony of Jesus, represents our work. The message loses none of its
force in the angel's onward flight, for John sees it increasing in
strength and power until the whole earth is lightened with its glory. The
course of God's commandment keeping people is onward, ever onward. The message
of truth that we bear must go to nations, tongues, and peoples. Soon
it will go with a loud voice, and the earth will be lightened
with its glory. Are we preparing for
this great outpouring of
the Spirit of God?
"Human agencies are to be employed in this work. Zeal and energy
must be intensified; talents that are rusting from inaction must be
pressed into service. The voice that would say, 'Wait; do not allow
yourself to have burdens imposed upon you,' is the voice of the cowardly
spies. We want Calebs now who will press to the front -chieftains in Israel who with courageous words will make a strong report
in favor of immediate action. When the selfish, ease-loving,
panic-stricken people, fearing tall giants and inaccessible walls, clamor
for retreat, let the voice of the Calebs be heard, even though the
cowardly ones stand with stones in their hands, ready to beat them down
for their faithful
testimony." -5 Testimonies, 383:2-3.
6 - Sequence: (1) Unity in love (based on obedience by faith to God's
truth); (2) loud cry.
"Thus
will be answered the prayer of Christ, uttered just
before His humiliation and death: 'That they all may be one; as Thou,
Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that
the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.' John 17:21. 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 angel swell to
a loud cry, and
the whole earth will be lightened with the
glory of God."-6 Testimonies,
401:1.
7
- Sequence: (1) Latter rain; (2)
Jacob's trouble.
"God's
people were strengthened by the excellent
glory which rested upon them in rich
abundance and prepared them
to endure the hour
of temptation."-Early Writings, 279:0.
8
- Sequence: (1) Latter rain; (2) loud cry to all the world; (3) final
conflict (during loud cry, and Jacob's trouble which follows it].
"Clad In the armor of
Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict.
'Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with
banners' (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering
and to conquer." -Prophets
and Kings, 725:1.
9 - The sealing/latter rain/loud cry experience.
"For
Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for
Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go
forth as brightness, and the salvation
thereof as a lamp that burneth.
"And
the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall
name.
"Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a
royal diadem in the hand of thy God."-Isaiah 62:1-9.
"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it
shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not
pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools,
shall not err therein." -Isaiah 95:8.
"There
shall be no more Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts."-Zechariah
14:21.
- 8
PREPARATION FOR THE LATTER RAIN
When the latter rain is ready to fall, it will fall -whether or not you and I are ready to receive it.
Therefore, we need to give earnest attention to our manner of life and
conduct NOW, so that we will be prepared to receive the latter rain when
our kind Father pours it out upon His people.
Strictly speaking, this topic should be located prior to the Sunday law
crisis. However, for purposes of simplicity, it is placed at the close of
this Latter Rain study.
1
- The
Infilling of the Holy Spirit is our great need.
"At no point in our experiences 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 to the end. . As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, It
will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind,
a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain."-Testimonies to Ministers,
507:2, 509:0.
"The Holy Spirit seeks to abide in each soul. If it is welcomed as an honored guest, those who receive it will be made complete In
Christ.
The good work begun will be finished; the holy thoughts, heavenly affections, and Christlike actions will take the place of impure
thoughts, perverse sentiments, and rebellious acts." -Counsels on Health, 561:1.
"We may have had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by prayer
and faith we are continually to seek more of the Spirit. It
will never do to cease our efforts. 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."-Testimonies to
Ministers, 508:0.
"The measure of the Holy
Spirit we receive will be proportioned to the
measure of our desire and the faith exercised for it, and the use we shall
make of the light and knowledge that shall be given to us.
"-Last Day Events, 188:5.
"A
revival and a reformation must take place, under the
ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different
things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a
quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from
spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change In Ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless
it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation
are to do their appointed work, and in
doing this work they must blend.
"-Last Day Events, 189:3-190:0.
2 . God is waiting for us to get ready to receive It.
"The
long night of gloom is trying, but the morning Is deferred In mercy, because if the Master should come, so many would be found
unready. God's unwillingness to have His people perish, has been the
reason of so long delay."-2 Testimonies, 194:0.
"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 would have received their welcome
into the city of God. It -6 Testimonies,
1,.50:0.
"I
know that if God's people had maintained a living connection with
Him, If they had obeyed His word, they would today have been in the
heavenly Canaan."-General Conference Bulletin, March 90, 1909.
"I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to
do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He
gave his angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels
had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let
them go; but while their hands were loosening, and the four winds were
about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the
remnant that were not sealed, and He raised his hands to the Father,
and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another
angel was commissioned to
fly swiftly to the four angels, and bid them hold, until the servants
of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their
foreheads.
-Early
Writings, 98:2.
"All we have to do is
to keep the vessel clean and right side up and
prepared for the reception of the heavenly rain, and keep praying, 'Let
the latter rain come into my vessel. Let the light of the glorious angel
which unites with the third angel shine upon me; give me a part in the
work; let me sound the proclamation; let me be a colaborer with Jesus
Christ.' Thus seeking God, let me tell you, He is fitting you up
all the time, giving you His grace. -Upward Look, 289:2.
3 - The latter rain will strengthen God's people for
the important events so soon to occur.
"The
latter rain, ripening earth's harvest, represents the spiritual grace
that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. Testimonies
to Ministers, 506:2.
"While
the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and
the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work
of the third angel. At that time the 'later 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. -Early
Writings, 85:9-86:0.
"Oh,
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. -Early Writings, 71:2.
"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 fire down from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the
inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand."-Great
Controversy, 612:1.
"The
glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning,
proclaiming the fall of Babylon, and calling upon God's people to
come out of her that they might escape her fearful doom.
"The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated
everywhere. . Mighty miracles were wrought, the sick were
healed, and signs and wonders followed the believers. God
was in the work,
and every saint, fearless of consequences, followed the convictions of his own
conscience, and united with those who were keeping all the commandments of
God; and with power they sounded abroad the third message. I saw
that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the
midnight cry." -Early Writings, 277:2-278:1.
"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." -Acts
of the Apostles, 54:2-55:1.
4 - It is our work to earnestly plead for the Holy Spirit, and to live our
prayers.
"Those who make no decided
effort, but simply wait for the Holy Spirit to compel them to action,
will perish in darkness. You are not to sit still and do nothing in the
work of God." Christian Service, 228:3.
"We are not to trust to the ordinary working of providence. We
must pray that God will unseal the fountains of the water of life. And
we must ourselves receive of the living water. Let us, with contrite
hearts, pray most earnestly that
now, in the time of the latter rain, showers of grace
may fall upon us." -Testimonies to Ministers, 509:0.
"What
|