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From Here to Forever
leading men, and some will accept it and stand with the people of
God during the time of trouble.
The Latter Rain and the Loud Cry
The angel who unites with the third angel is to lighten the whole
earth with his glory. The first angel’s message was carried to every
mission station in the world, and in some countries there was the
greatest religious interest witnessed since the Reformation. But
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these are to be exceeded by the last warning of the third angel.
The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. The
“former rain” was given 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.
Hosea 6:3
;
Joel 2:23
. The
great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the
power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were
fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the
gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are
“the times of refreshing” to which the apostle Peter looked forward.
Acts 3:19, 20
.
Servants of God, their faces shining with holy consecration, will
hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven.
Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed. Satan also works
with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven.
Revela-
tion 13:13
. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take
their stand.
The message will be carried not so much by argument as by
the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been
presented, publications have exerted their influence, yet many have
been prevented from fully comprehending the truth. Now the truth
is seen in its clearness. Family connections, church relations are
powerless to stay the honest children of God now. Notwithstanding
the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their
stand upon the Lord’s side.
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