Communion With God

Chapter 7—The Early and the Latter Rain

BIBLE GEM

“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.”—Joel 2:23 CWG 23.1

QUESTION

What is the necessary preparation for the latter rain? CWG 23.2

ANSWER

Early rain necessary: “We may be sure that when the Holy Spirit is poured out those who did not receive and appreciate the early rain will not see or understand the value of the latter rain.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 399 CWG 23.3

“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 state to another, the process of spiritual growth.... CWG 23.4

“Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 506 CWG 23.5

“Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided from 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.... Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 507 CWG 23.6

“If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our own door.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 508 CWG 24.1

God's power gives life: “The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the Word of God. This Word imparts power; it begets life. ... It transforms the nature and recreates the soul in the image of God.”—Education, 126 CWG 24.2

Baptism of Holy Spirit needed: “What we need is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without this, we are no more fitted to go forth to the world than were the disciples after the crucifixion of their Lord. Jesus knew their destitution, and told them to tarry in Jerusalem until they should be endowed with power from on high.”—The Review and Herald, February 18, 1890 CWG 24.3

“We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the Day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today.”—Testimonies For The Church 5:158 CWG 24.4

Be constantly ready: “I have no specific time of which to speak when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will take place—when the mighty angel will come down from heaven, and unite with the third angel in closing up the work for this world; my message is that our only safety is in being ready for the heavenly refreshing, having our lamps trimmed and burning.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:984 CWG 24.5

SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

Loving Lord Jesus, help us to understand that every one of us must now receive the infilling and enabling and empowering of the Holy Spirit. CWG 24.6

Only those who know with certainty that they have the Holy Spirit now will receive the second great pentecostal outpouring and infilling to finish God's work. CWG 24.7

As I preach short revival crusades around the world, many ask, How do we know with certainty that we have the Holy Spirit? Those that live Christlike virtuous lives and manifest love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, gentleness and compassion and self-control, are the only Holy Spirit-filled children of the living God. CWG 24.8

The former infilling recreates us in the image of God and brings complete renewal and transformation of character, the new birth experience, the fruit and the gift of the Holy Spirit. CWG 24.9