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Latter Rain Outpouring - part 1 of 2 James 5:7 (KJV) “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” Zechariah 10:1 (KJV) “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, to every one grass in the field.” The rain cycle of Israel begins with the former rains in the fall, while the harvest rain begins in March and is referred to as the “latter-rain.” And with these rains come a hot sun to harden the heads of wheat to prepare them for threshing. Because there are several references to the former and latter rain in the Bible we may conclude that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the Church Age will follow the pattern of the natural rain of Israel. The church has been in the “fall & winter” of her time, being the former rains. She is now advancing into the springtime, so to speak, and the coming of the Lord. In the past it was common to accept the flooding rains as a sign of what is to be poured out upon the church. There are two purposes for the latter rain (or harvest rain): To bring to maturity all that God has planted in the earth. To allow the burning sun of tribulation to harden the heads of wheat (Isaiah 41:10 AMP) “Fear not, for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes I will help you; yes I will hold you up and retain you with My victorious right hand of righteousness and justice.” First we must be (and we shall be) empowered to become a testimony for the Kingdom of God to all nations. Second, we are to become mature in Christ, as sons, for the witness of God’s wrath upon all that is unjust. Both of these are now beginning (so it seems): Matthew 24:14 (KJV) “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” The gospel of the Kingdom is now being restored to all who will listen. This has been lost or stolen by denominationalism. The last century has changed the gospel of the Kingdom to the gospel of going to heaven. The gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to all people. The true gospel must be preached. We have heard that doors are going to be shut to the gospel, but not until truth is preached as a witness “judgment”. In America “a true witness” has not been borne. The love of God has been overemphasized and the wrath of God has been ignored. We must present both the goodness and the severity of God, the love of God and the wrath of God. Without it, people will be born-again without denying their flesh and the lust of the world – these are in danger of being cut out of the vine. The New Testament is filled with severe warnings toward believers who neglect their salvation. When the witness has been borne to God’s satisfaction, the end is not yet. After this latter rain revival and before the Lord returns there will occur the burning sun of tribulation. The gospel will be driven from the churches and the witnesses will be forced into hiding until the Lord returns in the clouds of glory. During this time it will be impossible to pray or be filled with the Spirit. Those who are diligent in their walk will be spared. Isaiah 4:4-6 (KJV) “When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. 5And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. 6And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.” I am saying to you with what I now know that during the latter-rain witness the greater part of the earth’s people will make profession of faith in Christ Jesus. Then God will withdraw His anointing in order that Antichrist will rule. Sin will be so rampant that multitudes who made a profession of faith in Christ will fall away. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Mat.24:12) The falling away must take place in order for the church to become free of spot or wrinkle. Every work of God must be tested with fire. This is the pattern of the promised latter-rain revival and the tribulation period. True revival is characterized by sincere and profound repentance. True revival includes revelation of God’s Word so new understanding of our times emerges. And until this takes place on a wide scale the latter-rain revival has not happened. In our church we have had the Word of God opened up as a result of an outpouring 7 years ago – we have literally walked in all the steps of an outpouring – but it is not the latter-rain outpouring that is yet to happen. During this preparation time we are witnessing the trumpets, but not in their fullness. The seventh trumpet is yet to sound. This trumpet blast will be fulfilled in the latter-rain outpouring. Remember, when this one sounds, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, we shall be changed.” (I Cor.15:52) Revelation 10-11 gives us an idea of what it is going be like. The sounding of the seventh trumpet gives God’s angel authority over the latter-rain testimony. He comes down from Heaven, indicating this will not be controlled by man’s effort. He is clothed with a cloud, speaking of the coming of the Lord. A rainbow is on His head, speaking of the divine symbol of salvation. His face shines as the sun, representing the divine righteous behavior He is looking for. His feet are like pillars of fire, bringing with Him divine judgment. He stands on land and sea – He controls all, and His Saints have the authority. His little book speaks of the day of small beginnings (we are there). God told Zechariah not to despise the day of small things (4:10). If we become longsuffering in these small matters, we will reign in the greater works of God. This is a day of great and terrible fulfillment as the Word of God comes to pass right before our eyes and hearts. Be prepared. This is the day of salvation. THE LORD REIGNS! -Pr. Steve April Newsletter 2002 | Latter Rain Outpouring part 1 of 2 | Roots of Revival part 2 Pastor's Journal April 2001 | Double Minded | Signs and Tokens part 1 of 3 |
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