As I contemplate the profound scriptures of prophecy, I am reminded of the extraordinary manner in which God has deliberately manifested His glory throughout the course of history. Whether we consider the formative days of the Church or the predicted occurrences that will precede His Second Coming, it is evident that God’s glory has been, and will persistently be, bestowed upon us in remarkable measures. James eloquently conveyed this truth in his epistle, employing the metaphor of rain to depict these extraordinary outpourings.
Understanding the Early and Latter Rain
James 5:7 calls us to patience as we await the coming of the Lord, likening the process to a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth, which requires both the early and latter rains. In Israel, these rains were essential for the agricultural cycle: the early rain prepared the soil, and the latter rain brought the crops to maturity. James wasn’t just talking about physical rain, though; he was speaking about the outpouring of God’s glory.
James 5:7 (NKJV)
“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.”
1. The Early Rain: The Outpouring at Pentecost
The early rain, as James described, corresponds to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. This was the moment when God’s glory was first poured out in a significant way in the Church age.
As Peter explained in Acts 2:16-20, this event was the fulfillment of the prophecy from Joel, where God promised to pour out His Spirit on all flesh. This was not a mere drizzle of His presence; it was a downpour that transformed the lives of the 120 believers gathered in the upper room and sparked the spread of the Gospel across the known world.
This early rain was essential for laying the foundation of the Church. It was the beginning of something new—a time when God’s glory was made manifest in a way that had never been seen before. The Holy Spirit’s power was evident in the boldness of the apostles, the miracles that followed, and the thousands who were saved. The early rain softened the spiritual ground, allowing the seeds of the Gospel to take root and flourish.
2. The Latter Rain: A Promise of Greater Glory
But James didn’t stop with the early rain. He also spoke of the latter rain—a greater outpouring of God’s glory that would come before the harvest, just as the latter rain in Israel came before the harvest. This latter rain is linked to the events leading up to the Second Coming of Christ, when God will once again pour out His Spirit in a powerful way.
Peter alluded to this in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost. While he was describing what was happening at that moment, he also spoke of a future outpouring of God’s glory that would precede the “great and awesome day of the Lord.” This suggests that what the early Church experienced was only a foretaste of what is to come. The latter rain will bring about a greater harvest, as God’s glory is revealed in ways that will astonish the world.
The latter rain will be marked by a deepened sense of God’s presence, signs and wonders, and a renewed passion for His glory. This is something I eagerly anticipate, knowing that God’s plans for His Church are far greater than anything we have yet experienced.
3. The Diminishing of the Early Rain and the Need for Revival
After the early rain of Pentecost, there was a gradual waning of the outpouring of God’s glory. As men and women lost their passion for His presence, the once-vibrant Church began to grow cold. Religious activities and doctrines started to take precedence over the intimate relationship with God that had been at the heart of the early Church.
This is a sobering reminder that the outpouring of God’s glory is not something to be taken for granted. It requires a continual hunger and thirst for His presence. When we become complacent or distracted by worldly concerns, the flow of God’s glory diminishes. This is why revival is so necessary—revival reignites the fire of God’s presence in our hearts and draws us back to Him.
I believe that the latter rain will bring about a revival unlike any we have seen before. It will be a time when the Church returns to its first love, when the cold, lifeless altars of selfish desires are replaced with the burning passion for God’s glory. This revival will prepare us for the harvest that is to come and for the return of our Lord.
Living in Expectation of God’s Glory
As I consider the early and latter rains, I am reminded of the importance of living in expectation of God’s glory. We are called to be patient, as James said, but this patience is not passive. It is an active, expectant waiting, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises.
1. Cultivating a Hunger for God’s Presence
One of the most important things we can do as believers is to cultivate a hunger for God’s presence. This means setting aside time to seek Him in prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. It means being willing to lay down our own desires and agendas in order to pursue His will. When we are hungry for God’s glory, we position ourselves to receive the outpouring of His Spirit.
This hunger is not something that comes naturally; it must be cultivated. It requires a conscious decision to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. When we do this, we open ourselves up to experiencing His glory in greater ways. The early Church was marked by a deep hunger for God’s presence, and this is something we must seek to emulate.
2. Walking in Obedience to God’s Word
Another key to experiencing God’s glory is walking in obedience to His Word. The early rain at Pentecost was preceded by the obedience of the disciples, who waited in Jerusalem as Jesus had instructed them. Obedience creates an environment where God’s glory can be revealed.
This obedience is not just about following rules; it is about aligning our lives with God’s purposes. It means being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and being willing to step out in faith when He calls us to do something. When we walk in obedience, we position ourselves to be vessels of God’s glory.
3. Maintaining a Spirit of Expectation
Finally, it is important to maintain a spirit of expectation. The early Church lived in a constant state of expectancy, believing that God could move at any moment. This expectation fueled their prayers, their worship, and their evangelism. They were not content to simply go through the motions; they were eagerly anticipating the next move of God.
In the same way, we must live with an expectation that God’s glory will be revealed in our lives and in our world. This expectation keeps us alert and ready to respond when God moves. It also keeps us from growing complacent or discouraged when things don’t happen as quickly as we would like. We can trust that God’s timing is perfect and that His promises will be fulfilled.
The Impact of God’s Glory on the Church and the World
When God’s glory is poured out, it has a profound impact on both the Church and the world. The early rain at Pentecost transformed the lives of those who experienced it and sparked a movement that changed the course of history. The latter rain will have an even greater impact, bringing about a global harvest and preparing the Church for the return of Christ.
1. Revival and Renewal in the Church
The outpouring of God’s glory brings revival and renewal to the Church. It reignites the fire of God’s presence in our hearts and restores our passion for His purposes. Revival is not just about emotional experiences; it is about a deep, lasting transformation that changes the way we live and think.
When the Church is revived, it becomes a powerful force for God’s kingdom. It is no longer focused on its own needs and desires but is fully engaged in the mission of spreading the Gospel and making disciples. This revival is not something we can manufacture; it is a work of the Holy Spirit that comes as we seek God’s glory with all our hearts.
2. A Global Harvest of Souls
The latter rain will also bring about a global harvest of souls. Just as the early rain prepared the ground for the planting of the Gospel, the latter rain will bring the harvest to maturity. This harvest will not be limited to one nation or people group; it will be global in scope, as God’s glory is revealed to the ends of the earth.
This harvest will be marked by signs and wonders, as God confirms His Word with miracles. It will also be marked by a deep conviction of sin and a hunger for righteousness. As the Church is revived, it will become a beacon of light in a dark world, drawing people to Christ and leading them to salvation.
3. Preparation for the Return of Christ
Finally, the latter rain will prepare the Church for the return of Christ. This is the ultimate purpose of the outpouring of God’s glory—to ready His bride for His coming. As we experience the latter rain, we will be purified, refined, and made ready for the day when we will stand before our Lord.
This preparation involves a deepening of our relationship with Christ, a greater commitment to holiness, and a renewed focus on His kingdom. It also involves a sense of urgency, knowing that the time is short and that we must be about our Father’s business. The latter rain is a gift of God’s grace, giving us what we need to be ready for His return.
Recommended Bible Study Verses
To further explore the themes of God’s glory, the early and latter rains, and our preparation for Christ’s return, consider studying the following verses:
- 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.”
- Hosea 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.”
- Zechariah 10:1 – “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.”
- Acts 2:17 – “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”
- James 5:7 – “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”
