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THE
LATTER RAIN IS COMING
- Roy Felix Joshua |
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Pray for your nation with confidence, without
intimidation, knowing that the reality of the latter
rain is occurring even as we speak.
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The phrase “latter rain” can mean
different things to different people. To its critics, it
is a movement that promotes doctrinal heresy. To many
others, however, the phrase “latter rain,” though
slightly antiquated, is a term used by the King James
Bible to describe the final, worldwide outpouring of the
Holy Spirit before Christ returns.
Although I do not personally use the term “latter rain,”
I do believe in this last great move of God. Many church
leaders were predicting the end of the world in 1970’s
and 80’s. Frankly, not many actively believed there
would be a great harvest during the seventies and
eighties. However, in 1990, with the stunning collapse
of Soviet communism, an accelerated era of worldwide
evangelism truly began. Since then, the Holy Spirit has
brought hundreds of millions into the kingdom of God.
Thus, in spite of wars and other difficulties, my focus
remains fixed on the great work of the Holy Spirit in
these last days. The great outpouring will not end until
the Spirit of God has been poured out “upon all mankind”
(Acts 2:17). “All” means all. It means God is serious
about reaching Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and other
religions. Indeed, the Lord is so passionate about the
lost that He says He will “grant” undeniable “wonders in
the sky above” and incontrovertible “signs on the earth”
(see Acts 2:19-20). I wholeheartedly believe that,
during this last great move, we will see the true church
united, many believers raised to Christ like maturity
and a great harvest.
So, you decide: Is the doctrine of worldwide evangelism
a heresy? Or is Christ-centered unity among believers a
false doctrine? Is reaching for Christlike purity and
power a deception?
Remember, I am not saying life will get easy. The truth
is, many already are dying for their faith (Martyrs in
Orissa, India). Yet, “those who sow in tears shall reap
with joyful shouting” (see Psalm 126). Jesus said the
harvest was plentiful (Luke 10:2). And, I agree with
those who warn of the spread of the apostate church;
there is, indeed, deep darkness upon the earth. But it
is in these very conditions that the Lord commands us to
arise and be radiant with His glory. His promise is that
nations shall come to our light and kings to the
brightness of His rising (see Isaiah 60:1-3). The end of
the age is a time of both darkness and light (see 1
Thessalonians 5:4-5). We must see both.
The Bible and the Latter Rain
Still, the issue is not what I say about the latter rain
or what the critics say, but what does the Bible teach?
The phrase “latter rain” comes from several places in
the Scriptures; the most prominent perhaps is from the
book of James. Speaking of the Lord’s return, the
apostle writes:
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the
Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of
the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives
the early and latter rain. You also be patient.
Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at
hand” (James 5:7-8 NKJV).
James is talking specifically about “the coming of the
Lord.” Many first century Christians expected the Lord
to return in their lifetimes. They experienced the
initial outpouring of the Spirit; they saw miracles,
growth and multiplication. Yet, still the Lord did not
come. Thus, James encourages the church to “be patient,”
saying there is something yet to come for which God is
waiting. In this verse, the apostle frames all of church
history metaphorically between two seasons of spiritual
outpouring, which he calls the “early and latter rain.”
Agriculturally, it was understood that the early rains
awakened the newly planted seeds and initiated the
process of growth. Then, after several dry months, the
latter rains came that revitalized the harvest and
brought it to maturity (see also Deuteronomy 11:14; Joel
2:23; Zechariah 10:1, all King James version).
You see, God had much more on His heart than the early
Christians anticipated. The church saw a limited
outpouring that fell upon a smaller world. The truth was
that both the world and the final outpouring is proving
to be much larger.Bible Scholars and the Latter Rain
It is important to note that a number of Bible scholars
also support the idea of a second outpouring. Charles
Wesley interpreted James 5:7, saying, “The husbandman
waiteth for the precious fruit - Which will recompense
his labour and patience. Till he receives the former
rain - Immediately after sowing. And the latter - Before
the harvest.” Wesley wrote, “the latter” rain came
“before the harvest” (or the end of the age).
Go to
Crosswalk.com, click on “study helps” and research
this yourself. Look at Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s
commentary on James 5:7. They explained: “The early rain
fell at sowing time, about November or December; the
latter rain, about March or April, to mature the grain
for harvest. The latter rain that shall precede the
coming spiritual harvest, will probably be another
Pentecost-like effusion of the Holy Ghost” (Crosswalk.com).
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Consider the growth of the church in China, from ten
million in
1974 to over 100 million today. We are in the time of
outpouring, beloved, whether critics agree with it or
not! The world only
sees the headlines from hell, yet the gospel of the
kingdom is advancing. God will not stop until “all
nations” hear the gospel.
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This isn’t Charismatic chaos! It New Testament theology,
and Jamie-son, Fausset and Brown are distingui-shed,
time-tested scholars who wrote their Commentary Critical
and Explanatory on the Whole Bible in 1871.
Plainly, we are to expect a special outpouring. This is
not “manife-st sons” doctrine nor “kingdom now”
theology. This doesn’t mean there aren’t churches in all
forms of apostasy; nations will still be judged at the
end of the age. We are simply stating, according to the
word of God, that between now and when Jesus Christ
returns, there will be another great outpouring, and
that we are in the beginning of that outpouring now.
Do Not Be Afraid
My friends, the enemy has put a blockade of
false warnings, fear and accusation around one of the
most powerful end time realities: the final work of the
Holy Spirit to bring the gospel worldwide! I am not
saying we should be naïve or blind to all that is wrong
in the church, but neither should we be blind to what
God is doing.
To have faith for this outpouring is not heretical, even
if it seems like heresy to those in unbelief. Therefore,
do not fear being labeled a “heretic” when you speak of
your vision. Pray for your nation with confidence,
without intimidation, knowing that the reality of the
latter rain is occurring even as we speak. Remember,
hundreds of millions have come into the kingdom of God
over these last years - revival can occur in your nation
as well! Consider the growth of the church in China,
from ten million in 1974 to over 100 million today. We
are in the time of outpouring, beloved, whether critics
agree with it or not!
The world only sees the headlines from hell, yet the
gospel of the kingdom is advancing. God will not stop
until “all nations” hear the gospel.
In truth, a time is coming when, as suddenly as the
Soviet Union collapsed, so the stronghold of Islam will
crumble as well. God has determined to reach to the
Muslim world, and once again, “wise men from the east”
will come looking for Him who was born King of the Jews.
Yes, even radicalized Muslims will look upon the Son of
God and, in their new found freedom, they will love
Christ most fervently. Indeed, the Lord shall even
reveal Himself to key Islamic rulers, individuals whose
influence will draw multitudes closer to Jesus Christ.
“Thus He will sprinkle many nations, kings will shut
their mouths on account of Him; for what had not been
told them they will see, and what they had not heard
they will understand” (Isaiah 52:15).
Whether the breakthrough occurs in the immediate years,
or tarries beyond a decade or more, an awakening is
destined for the Muslim world. Just as the Lord has
promised, He will pour out His Spirit upon all mankind
(see Acts 2:17). Thus, the last, great outpouring shall
reach all cultures of the world, and “everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). |
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This page
is updated on March 15, 2009 |
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PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY
10 YEARS CELEBRATION
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