The outpouring of the Holy Spirit
“Early and Latter Rain” represents the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. While the Holy Spirit has been present for thousands of years, the early rain and latter rain are distinct periods.
The early rain is a metaphor for the Holy Spirit that entered the disciples during Pentecost after Jesus left the earth. Rain is often used as a symbol of a Holy Spirit outpouring. Pentecost marks the beginning of the Church Age. Jesus specifically said:
John 14:26
New International Version
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
In Acts, we read the following:
Acts 2:1-4
New International Version
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
We see that people such as Peter and other apostles performed miracles following the Pentecost. Sure there have been miracles that occurred outside of this time period (including today), but a cluster of miracles were carried out during/around the early rain.
The early rain is fall rain that occurs in October and November. The latter rain is the spring rain that occurs in April and May. The beginning and end of these rains reference the start and finish of the Jewish Harvest cycle.
Joel 2:23 mentions these rains:
New International Version
“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.”
The later rain is a reference to the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
As we read in Acts:
Acts 2:17-21
New International Version
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
We also see a similar verse in Joel 2:28-32:
Joel 2:28-32
New International Version
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.”
It is important to note that the Holy Spirit has been here since the day of Pentecost and the early rain has already been fulfilled. The later rain that will inevitably occur, if it isn’t already starting to occur, will be fulfilled as it is a promise from God. It will be an outpouring or empowering of the Holy Spirit similar to what happened during the early rain. How do we know this will occur? It will occur according to Scripture, and it will occur before the coming of the Lord as mentioned:
James 5:7
New International Version
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.”
I do not believe in false staged healings, people speaking in tongues to the degree that took place during the day of Pentecost, and all types of similar activity that are supposedly happening today. Plenty in the church are performing fake miracles that aren’t from God but are intended to siphon money from vulnerable, deceived people. It may be starting to sprinkle but we haven’t seen the outpouring of the later rain where all kinds of signs and miracles will happen.
At some point, I do believe we are going to witness some remarkable events similar to what happened shortly after the day of Pentecost. There will be miraculous healings that will turn many people into believers. These will not be ordinary times.
How can someone receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when it happens?
By truly seeking the Lord. Being faithful and repenting. Wanting to be sanctified and abiding in God’s will. And so forth.
Hosea 6:3
New International Version
“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”