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Latter Rain Outpouring - part 2 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.” In Revelation 10:3-4 we see seven thunders uttering their voice. But John was told not to reveal it. It will be revealed in this time. When the thunders utter their voice, the false message of “love” will melt away. It becomes a day of the Lion of Judah’s roar. It will become a day when demons are fearful of the power of the Saints. Leviticus 2:11 tells us not to bring any honey with the meat offering. The love message has become a reproach to the Lord. The sweetness is like honey on an offering made by fire, and it is forbidden – it soon becomes a mess. When people become sweet with their religion, it comes with the leaven of insincerity – neither leaven nor honey is accepted. When the seven thunders utter, the “fullness” of God’s power is fulfilled. God has hidden His power: Habakkuk 3:4 (KJV) “And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.” God’s power not only heals, it also destroys. The saints have not been given this power because we don’t know how to use it – too immature. (Rev. 10:6) “time (delay) no longer.” Those who have waited on the Lord will be given this power – we shall experience the fullness of the power of the latter-rain outpouring. (Rev. 10:7) The mystery of God will end. And his servants, the prophets, will have declared it. This mystery is not the blood atonement, nor the resurrection of Christ (as many have declared). The mystery is “Christ in us, our hope of glory” allowing us to come into the image of Christ – maturity. (Rev. 10:8-10) It only takes place as we take the little book and eat it and begin to experience the revelation of truth that has been hidden for generations. When we eat the book, we are eating the body and blood of Christ. It is sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the belly. To live this kind of saintly life is difficult. But the reward is greater than the pain. [If you are depressed today, it is because God wants you to see the bigger picture.] (Rev. 10:11) – Prophesy again. Come back to your first love and speak forth the glory of God to the dying. Stop hiding away hoping it will all end soon. The Lord is sending His prophetic spirit to us to edify, exhort, and comfort the body. WHY? Not to make you feel good – but to build up the body of Messiah. To mature us for the coming of Christ Jesus. (Rev. 11:1) Those who are pressing into the Kingdom of God are being measured today. The key is “judged”. This judgment is producing a burning within us called the “spirit of burning.” (Isa. 4:4) This is to purge us of all that is ungodly (don’t get depressed over it – rejoice – many are rejecting this work right now – they won’t be ready.) James tells us to count it all joy when tested! (Rev. 11:3-12) Two witnesses – represent Christ and His body. This is confirmed by Zechariah. When he speaks of the two witnesses he is speaking about the fullness of the Spirit: “Not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit, saith the Lord.” When we have been empowered with the glory of God – look out – the end is at hand – the world will hate us to no end. We will be overcome, imprisoned and cut off. Why would anyone want that? Because our redemption is drawing nigh! We have seen enough of the mocking television evangelist; we have had enough of the love of money and ambition and self-seeking Christians. It will be a joy to suffer for the Kingdom of God in truth and righteousness in the power of the Spirit. This will be the maturity. The persecution will not take place until the Saints are mature. A mature person can handle much more than an immature person. “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” (Gal. 4:19) As soon as Zion (the church) gets through travail, the holy, royal priesthood is born (Isaiah 66:8) – in one day. In context to this verse the children of Israel were crying out for deliverance and God sent Moses. This time, the cry for deliverance will bring forth the maturity of the church and the Body of Christ will be sent). The latter rain is necessary to bring the wheat to maturity. The Spirit is emphasizing NOW – to cease from our own works and look to the Lord. It is a day of repentance and listening carefully to His voice. He is standing at the door of our hearts wanting in. I don’t care how long you have been a Christian – if you are listening, the Lord is speaking to you about your walk and your talk and your thoughts and the intent of your heart. We are moving beyond initial salvation and going into the FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITH POWER AND THE CROSS. Let Him in! As this maturity takes place we see a wonder in heaven: (12:1) The church becomes clothed with the Glory of Christ. The darkness (moon) is under her feet. She becomes crowned with righteousness. She is in travail for the manifestation of the Sons of God. But another wonder appears, (Rev. 12:3) Satan, who has perfect wisdom, power over the world and darkness. No one except the Christ Man will be able to tear down Satan. The only hope is in the travail of Zion. The only hope is that the saints will avail themselves of the glory that is available in the latter-rain outpouring so Messiah can be formed in them. Are you willing to turn from the works of the flesh and wait on God until Christ is formed in you? If your life becomes hidden in Jesus, this will become a reality. If you follow on to know the Lord, maturity will come. Hosea 6:3 (KJV) “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Joel 2:23 (KJV) “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.” Micah 5:3-4 (KJV) “Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 4And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.” The true witness of the kingdom of God shall come forth. Multitudes will be affected and we shall have the double portion of His Spirit. Revivals may come and go, but the Maturity of the Saints will not end. Now is the time! Today is the day of SALVATION. -Pr. Steve May Newsletter 2002 | Latter Rain Outpouring part 2 of 2 | Talking to God Pastor's Journal May 2001 | Ministry-Minded part 1 of 2 | Signs and Tokens part 2 of 3
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