Growth What is the Latter Rain?

[Sandy Zalecki]

A farmer knows that the early rains prepare the soil for the seed sowing. Each year the farmers plant their seeds in early spring. Then the latter rain ripens the crops for the coming harvest in the fall. Nature parallels the spirit in many ways. A little more than 2000 years ago we saw the early rain when the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost and when the Apostles sowed the truth that we as Christians embrace today. The latter rain is promised to fall so God’s obedient workers so they can be equipped with the necessary skills to proclaim the present truth far and wide so we can have a bountiful harvest before the Lord returns for His bride.

James says, “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.” (James 5:7) NKJ

The Apostles worked tirelessly to establish and grow the church of Jesus Christ. This is why we are so blessed today because of the early rain of Pentecost. They were of one accord. When the Lord’s obedient people that are actively employed in doing the work of the Lord come together, the latter rain will fall.

The latter rain will come. It is our work today to yield ourselves to Christ, that we may be ready for the outpouring of the latter rain.

 

[Gary]

What is the Latter Rain?

Is this a reference to the Latter Rain Movement?

 

[Kathi]

"What is the Latter Rain Movement?"

Answer: The Latter Rain Movement is an influence within Pentecostalism which teaches that the Lord is pouring out His Spirit again, as He did at Pentecost, and using believers to prepare the world for His Second Coming. The Latter Rain Movement is anti-dispensational and amillennial, and many leaders of the movement embrace aberrant teachings.

The term “latter rain” was first used early in the history of Pentecostalism, when David Wesley Myland wrote a book called Latter Rain Songs in 1907. Three years later, Myland wrote The Latter Rain Covenant, a defense of Pentecostalism in general.

The name comes from Joel 2:23, “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.” Pentecostals interpreted the “rain” in this verse as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The “latter rain” (the end-times outpouring) would be greater than the “former rain.”

In 1948, a “revival” broke out in Saskatchewan, Canada, and the teachings of the Latter Rain movement were clarified. Those involved in the revival were convinced that they were on the verge of a new era, one in which the Holy Spirit would demonstrate His power in a greater way than the world had ever seen. Not even the age of the apostles, they said, had witnessed such a movement of the Holy Spirit.

Latter Rain teaching is characterized by a highly typological hermeneutic. That is, the Bible is interpreted in a symbolic, extremely stylized manner. An emphasis is placed on extra-biblical revelation, such as personal prophecies, experiences, and directives straight from God. Latter Rain doctrine includes the following beliefs:

- the gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, are received through the laying on of hands

- Christians can be demonized and require deliverance

- God has restored all the offices of ministry to the Church, including apostle and prophet

- divine healing can be administered through the laying on of hands

- praise and worship will usher God into our presence

- women have a full and equal ministry role in the Church

- denominational lines will be destroyed, and the Church will unify in the last days

- the “latter rain” will bring God’s work to completion; the Church will be victorious over the world and usher in Christ’s kingdom

Many “apostles” in the Latter Rain Movement also teach the doctrine of “the manifest sons of God.” This is a heretical doctrine which says that the Church will give rise to a special group of “overcomers” who will receive spiritual bodies, becoming immortal.

It is important to note that the Assemblies of God deemed the Latter Rain Movement to contain heresy from the very beginning. On April 20, 1949, the Assemblies of God officially denounced Latter Rain teaching, nearly splitting the denomination in the process. Other established Pentecostal groups have passed similar resolutions.

Today, the term “latter rain” is rarely used, but the theology of Latter Rain continues to exert an influence. Most branches of the Charismatic Movement adhere to Latter Rain teaching. Modern movements such as the Brownsville/Pensacola Revival, the Toronto Blessing, and the “holy laughter” phenomenon are a direct result Latter Rain theology.


Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/latter-rain-movement.html#ixzz2tR8tM5g0

 

[jasoncran]

so when the lord went back to heaven and the apostles died, there wasn't any mass return of gifts? since we have been in the last days since then. what exactly would determine the latter day rain? and also what about the fact that in futurism there is this great falling away.

 

[Gary]

so when the lord went back to heaven and the apostles died, there wasn't any mass return of gifts? since we have been in the last days since then. what exactly would determine the latter day rain? and also what about the fact that in futurism there is this great falling away.

Futurism is a belief that the meaning of life is to be sought in the future rather than the past or present.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

I believe that the Lord always wants the revival of the hearts of men, no matter when it happens, especially in the last days. There was a great outpouring of the Spirit during Azusa street in 1906 to 1909. There was a great outpouring of the spirit in the 1700's when John Wesley preached in England. There have been many outpouring of the spirit. The reformation was also one of them. There were many great revivals and awakenings in America over the years. Why is it so difficult to believe there would be another one?

 

[jasoncran]

futurism is the idea that jesus will return and has the the ideas of post trib, mid trib and pre trib and premil to it. im not saying that we cant desire a revival just that most latter day believers that there shall be last one world wide revival then the ac shall come.

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

"What is the Latter Rain Movement?"

Answer: The Latter Rain Movement is an influence within Pentecostalism which teaches that the Lord is pouring out His Spirit again, as He did at Pentecost, and using believers to prepare the world for His Second Coming. The Latter Rain Movement is anti-dispensational and amillennial, and many leaders of the movement embrace aberrant teachings.

The term “latter rain” was first used early in the history of Pentecostalism, when David Wesley Myland wrote a book called Latter Rain Songs in 1907. Three years later, Myland wrote The Latter Rain Covenant, a defense of Pentecostalism in general.

The name comes from Joel 2:23, “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.” Pentecostals interpreted the “rain” in this verse as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The “latter rain” (the end-times outpouring) would be greater than the “former rain.”

In 1948, a “revival” broke out in Saskatchewan, Canada, and the teachings of the Latter Rain movement were clarified. Those involved in the revival were convinced that they were on the verge of a new era, one in which the Holy Spirit would demonstrate His power in a greater way than the world had ever seen. Not even the age of the apostles, they said, had witnessed such a movement of the Holy Spirit.

Latter Rain teaching is characterized by a highly typological hermeneutic. That is, the Bible is interpreted in a symbolic, extremely stylized manner. An emphasis is placed on extra-biblical revelation, such as personal prophecies, experiences, and directives straight from God. Latter Rain doctrine includes the following beliefs:

- the gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, are received through the laying on of hands

- Christians can be demonized and require deliverance

- God has restored all the offices of ministry to the Church, including apostle and prophet


- divine healing can be administered through the laying on of hands

- praise and worship will usher God into our presence

- women have a full and equal ministry role in the Church

- denominational lines will be destroyed, and the Church will unify in the last days

- the “latter rain” will bring God’s work to completion; the Church will be victorious over the world and usher in Christ’s kingdom

Many “apostles” in the Latter Rain Movement also teach the doctrine of “the manifest sons of God.” This is a heretical doctrine which says that the Church will give rise to a special group of “overcomers” who will receive spiritual bodies, becoming immortal.

It is important to note that the Assemblies of God deemed the Latter Rain Movement to contain heresy from the very beginning. On April 20, 1949, the Assemblies of God officially denounced Latter Rain teaching, nearly splitting the denomination in the process. Other established Pentecostal groups have passed similar resolutions.

Today, the term “latter rain” is rarely used, but the theology of Latter Rain continues to exert an influence. Most branches of the Charismatic Movement adhere to Latter Rain teaching. Modern movements such as the Brownsville/Pensacola Revival, the Toronto Blessing, and the “holy laughter” phenomenon are a direct result Latter Rain theology.


Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/latter-rain-movement.html#ixzz2tR8tM5g0

I'm really not a part of any movement. However, I do believe that the Lord always wants revival in people hearts. Even in these last days that we live in. It just doesn't make since to me that the Lord would rapture a bride like they are right now. We have divisions and we are fighting amongst each other and the whole church is sinful because we have allowed so many things into our lives. I am sure that just who the Lord want to marry. He wants a bride without "spot or wrinkle" Ephesians 5:27. The only way he will get that bride on earth that he can rapture is if he sends a revival to cleanse and purify them. Please don't put me into a group that believes in immortal bodies and that kind of stuff, but don't but me in the group either that believes the Lord would rapture a bride that is in the mess we are in now.

 

[Gary]

I'm really not a part of any movement. However, I do believe that the Lord always wants revival in people hearts. Even in these last days that we live in. It just doesn't make since to me that the Lord would rapture a bride like they are right now. We have divisions and we are fighting amongst each other and the whole church is sinful because we have allowed so many things into our lives. I am sure that just who the Lord want to marry. He wants a bride without "spot or wrinkle" Ephesians 5:27. The only way he will get that bride on earth that he can rapture is if he sends a revival to cleanse and purify them. Please don't put me into a group that believes in immortal bodies and that kind of stuff, but don't but me in the group either that believes the Lord would rapture a bride that is in the mess we are in now.

The visual church we see today is not the Bride of Christ. Contrary to popular belief, that "mess" as you call it, is referred to as the falling away.

2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,


The true Bride, the true Body of Christ, will be just a fraction of those who believe they are a part of this group. Calling yourself a member of the Body and actually being a part of the Body are 2 different things.

Jesus said:

Matthew 22
14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”


Out of the multitudes that are called, very few are able to answer that call with any real conviction. On the outside they give off an appearance of righteousness, but it's the inner thoughts and motivations that tell the real story. That is what God looks at. That inner being. The actual numbers that find that path to righteousness are very few.

Matthew 7
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.


I would love nothing more than to see a revival engulf this world, but the truth of the matter is, I don't believe it's going to happen. Quite the opposite actually.
.

 

[Kathi]

The visual church we see today is not the Bride of Christ. Contrary to popular belief, that "mess" as you call it, is referred to as the falling away.

2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,


The true Bride, the true Body of Christ, will be just a fraction of those who believe they are a part of this group. Calling yourself a member of the Body and actually being a part of the Body are 2 different things.

Jesus said:

Matthew 22
14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”


Out of the multitudes that are called, very few are able to answer that call with any real conviction. On the outside they give off an appearance of righteousness, but it's the inner thoughts and motivations that tell the real story. That is what God looks at. That inner being. The actual numbers that find that path to righteousness are very few.

Matthew 7
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.


I would love nothing more than to see a revival engulf this world, but the truth of the matter is, I don't believe it's going to happen. Quite the opposite actually.
.

Yes....

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

The visual church we see today is not the Bride of Christ. Contrary to popular belief, that "mess" as you call it, is referred to as the falling away.

2 Thessalonians 2
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,


The true Bride, the true Body of Christ, will be just a fraction of those who believe they are a part of this group. Calling yourself a member of the Body and actually being a part of the Body are 2 different things.

Jesus said:

Matthew 22
14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”


Out of the multitudes that are called, very few are able to answer that call with any real conviction. On the outside they give off an appearance of righteousness, but it's the inner thoughts and motivations that tell the real story. That is what God looks at. That inner being. The actual numbers that find that path to righteousness are very few.

Matthew 7
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.


I would love nothing more than to see a revival engulf this world, but the truth of the matter is, I don't believe it's going to happen. Quite the opposite actually.
.

Can I say that I actually agree with you. You are right all the way. I don't believe that this revival will be for all people but for the maturing and bringing together the Bride of Christ. That is what the latter rain is for in Israel. They have early rains and late rains on their crops. The early rains are for planting the seeds and the late rains are for maturing the crops. That is what the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in this last day will be, for maturing the Bride. He is coming back for a bride without "spot or wrinkle." This isn't about evangelism, it is about revival of the heart of His chosen bride.

 

[eddif]

Oh Well.
Maybe I get a beating, maybe not.

I Corinthians 3:6-7 And surrounding verses
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase,
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

I suppose that rain might be in here somewhere.
In my opinion (note IMHO) falling away might not be to a completely fallen state (not totally lost). I do not think we should sin willfully.

I Corinthians 3:15
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Right at the judgement seat it appears grace is at work. A reward may be lost, but it appears the persons name is still written in the lamb's book of life.

I do not totally understand latter rain. I am for it in the true application. A few past errors do not stop the truth.

eddif

 

[for_his_glory]

There is a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit more so now than ever before as by the Spirit of God we continue in the works of the Lord being that of His laborers working in His field until the latter time of harvest is ready to be gathered. Revival should always be in the heart of those who are truly in Christ as we need that refreshing that is new every morning.

Hos 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
Hos 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Hos 6:3 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.

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Job 19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Pro 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Pro 19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Pro 19:22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
Pro 19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

Hag 2:1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,
Hag 2:2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,
Hag 2:3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
Hag 2:4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
Hag 2:5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
Hag 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
Hag 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
Hag 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
Hag 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

 

[reba]

Amen

 

[Sinthesis]

The latter rain is what increases Christ's followers from 144K to a great multitude which no man could number. We are the product of the latter rain.

 

[Deborah13]

Isa 55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Isa 55:5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

We are these of the nations that knew not the Lord until He revealed Himself through the Son.

Isa 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.