Basic HTML Version
Vital Principles of Relationship
405
“Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the
Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of 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. 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 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 will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their
work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.
There is to be “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full
corn in the ear.” There must be a constant development of Christian
virtue, a constant advancement in Christian experience. This we
should seek with intensity of desire, that we may adorn the doctrine
of Christ our Saviour.
[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. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving
His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every
individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied
of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It
was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and
consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared
for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The