Chapter 13—The Latter Rain
The Work of the Spirit Likened to Rain
“He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and
the latter rain.” 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. [See
Zechariah 10:1
;
Hosea 6:3
;
Joel 2:23,
28
.]
As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germi-
nate, 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 the 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
[184]
will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the
latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.—
Testimonies to Ministers
and Gospel Workers, 506
(1897).
A. The Historical Application To the Church as a Whole
The Early Rain Came in A.D. 31 at Pentecost
In obedience to Christ’s command, they [the disciples] waited
in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father—the outpouring of the
Spirit. They did not wait in idleness. The record says that they were
“continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.” (
Luke 24:53
)....
As the disciples waited for the fulfillment of the promise, they
humbled their hearts in true repentance and confessed their unbelief....
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