TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022

READING 4 – The Later Rain

By Anton Salavyov

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” 2 Kings 2:9.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the time of ancient Israel is illustrated with various symbols in the Bible. The most common is rain. Rain has always been considered to be a blessing. In Israel there are generally two rainy sea- sons. The autumn rain is considered the early rain, while rain before the spring harvest season is known as the latter rain. In the earth’s annual cycle of the dew and the early and latter rains, the Saviour gave His faithful children a wonderful example in nature so they would understand that if one desires to have a Christlike mind and character, he needs to receive continual spiritual rain through the divine power of the Holy Spirit for spiritual growth and transformation. It is necessary to be transformed into “Christ’s likeness” to be with Him for all eternity. That comes from the Holy Spirit as the dew and the early and latter rains through a very close relationship with Christ. The Holy Spirit imparts the heavenly gift of Christ’s divine standard, righteousness, and character.

What test will confirm that one has received the seal of the living God? How does He accomplish that spiritual transformation making one Christ-like? Elisha said to Elijah, “Let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” 2 Kings 2:9. Elijah initiated a genuine reformation in spiritually corrupt- ed Israel, but Elisha needed a double measure of the divine Spirit to complete it.

At the beginning of the New Testament, a similar event took place. John the Baptist aroused Israel to a spirit of repentance, along with baptism and justification, as the first stage of his anointed mission in accordance with God’s  plan. Jesus completed this amazing plan of salvation with a double measure of His Spirit. We are now living at the end of time, when we likewise need a double portion of God’s Spirit. “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4. We receive the beauty of the Lord through His Spirit. One thing you may safely desire–a double portion of the Holy Spirit.

What does “a double portion of the Holy Spirit” mean?

“‘Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.’ 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18. By beholding, you will become changed from glory to glory, from character to character.”–The Colporteur Evangelist, p. 10.

Why are so many neglecting to receive the early and the latter rains as a double portion of the Holy Spirit? “I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God.” –The Faith I Live By, p. 337. “At no point in our experience can we dispense with the assistance of that which enables us to make the first start. The blessings received under the former rain are needful to us to the end. Yet these alone will not suffice. While we cherish the blessing of the early rain, we must not, on the other hand, lose sight of the fact that without the latter rain, to fill out the ears and ripen the grain, the harvest will not be ready for the sickle, and the labor of the sower will have been in vain.” –Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 507.

Who are the two anointed ones?

What system does the Godhead use to transform man’s human nature into a glorious Christ-like nature and char- acter? “What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of them- selves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be?” Zechariah 4:12, 13.

“Concerning the two witnesses the prophet declares further: ‘These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.’ ‘Thy word,’ said the psalmist, ‘is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ Revelation 11:4; Psalm 119:105. The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.” –The Great Controversy, p. 267.

“When the mind, instead of being centered upon self, is occupied in seeking to enrich poverty-stricken souls, the treasure of God’s love in His word–the golden oil from the two olive trees–is poured into the heart. Those who impart to others of the riches of the grace of heaven will be themselves enriched. This blessed experience all can obtain who will be channels through which God can impart His grace…. Men and women can reach the highest stage of mental and moral development only by cooperating with Jesus Christ, by learning His methods, by accepting His Holy Spirit, by laboring together with Him.” –The Gospel Herald, January 1, 1901.

We need to consider the Old and New Testaments as the two anointed olive trees, and the Spirit of prophecy harmo- nizes with Christ and the Holy Spirit, guiding those who seek the truth as it is written.

The mission of the two olive trees is to give every faithful believer a completed Christ-like character through the holy influence and guidance of the divine oil. Depending on how much and how quickly one personally cooperates with these two divine Powers, the child of God will be transformed in mind and soul step by step from glory to glory.

How do Christ and the Holy Spirit guide the Christian to receive the latter rain?

“There is to be ‘first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.’ Mark 4:28. There must be a constant development of Christian virtue, a constant advancement in Christian experience.” –Review and Herald, March 2, 1897.

“My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” Deuteronomy 32:2.

The first general step of the spiritual experience of trans- formation is called “justification.” From a spiritual point of view, the Holy Spirit acts as the “dew” and the “early rain.” The reason why the first stage of the spiritual growth process is called “justification” is because it produces conversion. The Holy Spirit guides the repentant sinner to forgive- ness and victory through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1.

The second general step in the spiritual experience of the faithful believers is “sanctification.” After conversion, the faithful believers are baptized by the divine Holy Spirit, who communicates with and guides each soul to become  a divine personality in harmony with Christ. The two heavenly Powers of Christ and the Holy Spirit inspire and guide God’s children to become Christ-like. And the result is their acquiring the Pentecostal missionary spirit of love and the desire to win souls to Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit in this stage of the Pentecost experience is part of the early rain and includes both justification and sanctification.

The third spiritual step relates to “glorification.” The latter rain is the final stage in the development of the Christ- like character in God’s faithful believers. This equips them with spiritual gifts that are necessary to proclaim the “loud cry” to the world and to greet Christ in peace at His second coming. During the latter rain, God guides His people through their final personal tests as through a “baptism of fire” to complete their Christ-like character and obtain the final victory. From a prophetic and historical point of view, the disciples received the early rain as a church.

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul-temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost.” –Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen White, p. 189.

Let us clarify two important steps in the preparation for receiving the latter rain: First, every faithful believer has his or her own person- al experience of the three main steps of spiritual transformation–justification, sanctification, and glorification–by the guidance of the divine heavenly Powers. “Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection….

“‘Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain;’… By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly trans- formed into the likeness of Christ.” –Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 506.

Second, there are many Biblical meanings, prophecies, and periods of time in the history of humanity that will end with Christ’s second coming; for example, “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, vol. 5, p. 158 (1882).

What are our experiences concerning early and latter rains?

“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.” –Review and Herald, March 2, 1897.

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

From a historical point of view, the early rain fell upon Christ’s disciples in the upper room. From an individual point of view, each faithful believer must personally receive the early rain. Through the experiences of the early and the latter rain and the test of fire in the final prophetic events, the faithful followers of Christ are prepared for the kingdom of heaven. How do many people make a mistake in this regard? “We are not willing enough to trouble the Lord with our petitions, and to ask Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. He wants us to press our petitions to the throne.”–Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 537.

How do we answer people’s questions?

Some of the questions people may ask us include the following: “Have you been baptized by water?” We should then give an appropriate answer. Then, as Adventists, what will be our answer if someone asks us this question: “When were you baptized with the Holy Spirit, as when the disciples received the early rain?” Another question is: “Are you pre- pared to be baptized with the latter rain?” Maybe we should first ask ourselves these questions now, so that we can give a correct answer to others. Without having the experiences of each of the three main steps of salvation–spiritual baptism as the dew, the early rain, and the latter rain, for sure we will not enter the eternal heavenly kingdom. Sadly, there are members of the church who have not had the experience of the holy dew. They know the principles of the church, but their spiritual fruit and behavior show that they do not have a connection with God’s Spirit.

“The measure of the Holy Spirit we receive, will be pro- portioned to the measure of our desire and the faith exercised for it, and the use we shall make of the light and knowledge that shall be given to us.” –Review and Herald, May 5, 1896.

“To Jesus, who emptied Himself for the salvation of lost humanity, the Holy Spirit was given without measure. So it will be given to every follower of Christ when the whole heart is surrendered for His indwelling.” –Sons and Daughters of God, p. 31.

Partakers of the divine nature

Interesting! What will happen if we personally receive Christ and the Holy Spirit’s spiritual powers without measure to transform our hearts and minds?

“Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own char- acter on His church.” –Review and Herald, November 19, 1908.

“… Christ’s true disciples shall receive … His image–par- takers of the divine nature.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, p. 292.

“When a man is truly converted, he becomes a Son of God, a partaker of the divine nature.” –Signs of the Times, December 1, 1881.

Those who put their faith and trust in Christ will, by His divine promise and power, be transformed into the sons of God and receive His image as “partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Peter 1:4.

However, read the following statement that urges us not to postpone the work of sanctification until we see the latter rain falling. “It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 214 (1882).

Christ had two natures–divine and human. So likewise, if we surrender entirely to Christ, He will purify us and will make us to be partakers of the divine nature. This is a real miracle, showing the wonderful message of the amazing love of Christ that is available to every human being. But we must be aware that the latter rain message comes with the following warning: “The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God.” –My Life Today, p. 59

Revival and reformation

Now is the time to understand that to be a member of the right Reform Movement does not necessarily mean that we are really reformers. It is time for us to wake up.

“Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.” –(Review and Herald, February 25, 1902) Christian Service, p. 42. Where now is the spirit of the first faithful Reformers? Are we personally and as a church receiving the early rain abundantly, as well as the baptism of the Holy Spirit in preparation for the latter rain? If not, now is the time to wake up before it is too late.

International Sunday law

“As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false Sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example. Our people are not half awake to do all in their power, with the facilities within their reach, to extend the message of warning.”–Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 18.

“History will be repeated. False religion will be exalted. The first day of the week, a common working day, possessing no sanctity whatever, will be set up as was the image of Babylon. All nations and tongues and peoples will be commanded to worship this spurious Sabbath…. The decree enforcing the worship of this day is to go forth to all the world.” –Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 976.

“The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided.” –Selected Messages, book 2, p. 80.

Coming events and beginning of the time of trouble

“‘The commencement of that time of trouble,’ here mentioned does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.” –Early Writings, p. 85. “The sign, or seal, of God is revealed in the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, the Lord’s memorial of creation… The mark of the beast is the opposite of this–the observance of the first day of the week.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 117.

The latter rain and events to follow

“I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action.” –Early Writings, p. 71.

“The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost…. “Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers…. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand…. “Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call is heard: ‘Come out of her, My people.’ These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth….

“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children….

“Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received ‘the seal of the living God.’ Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above…. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins.” –The Great Controversy, pp. 611, 612, 604, 464, 613.

The final stage of the Sunday law

“I was pointed down to the time when the third an- gel’s message was closing. The power of God had rest- ed upon His people; they had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message.” –Early Writings, p. 279.

“Those who are not branches of the divine root, who are not partakers of the divine nature, will not and can- not love those for whom Christ has given His life.” –The Home Missionary, August 1, 1896.

“The Catholics will give their power to the image of the beast. And the Protestants will work as their mother worked before them to destroy the saints. But before their decrees bring or bear fruit, the saints will be delivered by the Voice of God. Then I saw that Jesus’ work in the sanctuary will soon be finished. And after His work there is finished, He will come to the door of the first apartment, and confess the sins of Israel upon the head of the Scape Goat.” –Spalding and Magan Collection,2.

With contrite hearts, let us pray most earnestly that now, in the time of the latter rain, the showers of grace will fall upon His faithful people.
Amen.