“Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the Lord your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you—The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil” (Joel 2:23-24).

The imagery of the early and latter rain in Scripture holds profound significance, both in the agricultural cycles of ancient Israel and in God’s spiritual work among His people. Just as farmers in Israel relied on the early rain to prepare the soil for seed planting and the latter rain to prepare and mature the crops before the harvest, so too does God use spiritual rains (Holy Spirit outpouring) to prepare and mature His people.

The Early Rain and Latter Rain in Israel’s Agricultural Cycle

In Israel, the early rain fell in autumn (October-November) to soften the hardened ground, and enable farmers to plant their seeds. This was followed by the latter rain in spring (March-April), which ripened the crops and prepared them for harvest. Spiritually, the early rain finds its fulfillment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which initiated the work of salvation and the spread of the Gospel worldwide in the early church (Acts 2). 

The latter rain, however, is yet to come—a final, powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit to prepare God’s people for the ultimate harvest at the end of the age. God’s people represent the harvest, symbolized as wheat being readied by this outpouring for the final gathering.

A Call to Prepare for the Latter Rain

The promise of the latter rain requires us to prepare our hearts. John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the people of his day for the first coming of the Messiah and the early rain by calling them to repentance, and warning them of impending judgment. 

This is what John said: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:11). 

Today, the Lord is calling us once again to prepare our hearts for the latter rain and the second coming of the Messiah. Preparation, therefore, begins with repentance and a turning away from sin. John’s message echoes Joshua’s instruction to the Israelites as they prepare to leave the wilderness of sin and enter the Promised Land: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you” (Joshua 3:5). God’s amazing works are preceded by our willingness to sanctify ourselves and align our hearts with His will.

The fire John the Baptist mentioned in Matthew 3:11 refers to a different kind of fire—the fire of judgment for those who reject the call to repentance. On the day of judgment, the Lord “..will gather His wheat (His faithful followers) into His barn, but the chaff (those who refuse to repent) will be burned with unquenchable fire”.

The Messiah fulfilled John the Baptist’s prophecies during His first coming. He poured out the early rain (baptism of the Holy Spirit) at Pentecost, which prepared the ground for the global spread of the Gospel. However, those who refused to repent faced severe judgment (the baptism of fire) during the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans.

The event was marked with unimaginable suffering. People died in horrific ways—by fire, the sword, or starvation—leaving the city in ruins and the survivors deeply traumatized. The violence was so extreme that blood reportedly flowed down the Temple steps, giving the impression of rivers of blood. Despite the devastation, none of Jesus’ followers perished; they had fled the city in response to Jesus’ earlier warning in Luke 21:20-22. 

All that is history now, but it would be foolish of us not to learn from it. Jesus warns, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”(Luke 13:4). The second coming of the Messiah is near. He will return to rule and judge the world. Before that, He promised to send the latter rain to prepare us. Don’t miss this opportunity. The Lord is calling us to repentance, urging us to be ready for His return and to escape the coming judgment (baptism of fire).

The Latter Rain is a Time of Final Separation

The coming latter rain will not only empower God’s people but will also separate humanity into two groups, as foretold in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). Just as wheat and tares grow together until the harvest, the latter rain will bring clarity, revealing those who are truly sealed by God (the Homo Novus or new humanity) versus those who bear the mark of the evil one.

Revelation 14 provides a vivid picture of this final harvest. God’s people—those marked and sealed—will be gathered by Christ as His wheat. Meanwhile, the tares—those who reject God’s ways and are aligned with the enemy—will be gathered by angels for judgment (baptism of fire). The latter rain, therefore, is both a time of revival and a time of reckoning.

How to Prepare for the Final Outpouring

• Repent and Turn to God: Just as John the Baptist called people to repentance, we must turn away from sin and seek God wholeheartedly.
• Consecrate Yourself to the Lord: As Joshua instructed, consecrate yourself to the Lord. Evaluate your life and remove anything that hinders your walk with Him.
• Stay Faithful and Patient: As James 5:7 reminds us, “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.” Be steadfast in faith, knowing that God’s timing is perfect.
• Seek the Holy Spirit: Pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to empower you for the days ahead.

Final Thoughts

The coming latter rain outpouring will be unprecedented, bringing both revival and separation. As God prepares His people for the final harvest, the question you must ask yourselves is: Are you ready? Now is the time to repent, consecrate yourselves, and seek God with all your hearts. Do not wait for the rain to fall before you prepare—begin today.

God is faithful to His promises. The latter rain is coming. Will you be among the wheat gathered into His barn, or will you be counted among the tares destined for judgment?