The outpouring at Pentecost, often called the early rain, marked the birth of the Church and empowered believers to spread the gospel. Yet Scripture promises a latter rain—an even greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit to prepare God’s people for the final ingathering of souls before Christ’s return.
The Early Rain: Pentecost and the Birth of the Church
Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, the promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2 recounts how the disciples were gathered in one accord when suddenly a sound came like a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of fire appeared, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.
This moment was the inauguration of a new community of God’s people (the Church) loyal to Jesus. Empowered by the Spirit, Peter preached boldly, and 3,000 souls were added to the kingdom that day. Much like the seasonal early (former) rains in Israel in autumn (October-November) that prepared and softened the hardened ground, enabling farmers to plant their seeds. Spiritually, the early (former) rain came to soften hearts, establish the Church, and begin the worldwide sowing of the gospel seed.
The Latter Rain: Promise of a Final Outpouring
The prophet Joel, quoted by Peter in Acts 2, spoke of two stages of the Spirit’s work:
“Be glad then, you children of Zion… 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.” (Joel 2:23, NKJV)
In the Hebrew calendar, the first month is Nisan, corresponding to March–April (spring) in our Gregorian calendar. This month brings the latter rain to ripen the crops and prepare them for harvest. While Pentecost fulfilled the former rain, Joel’s prophecy extends to the latter rain—a future, end-time outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will prepare the Church for the final harvest before Christ’s return.
The Final Harvest: A People Prepared for Glory
Jesus often referred to the end times as a time of harvest. In Matthew 13, He told the parable of the wheat and tares, explaining that the harvest occurs at the end of the age and that the reapers are angels. And what is being reaped? Genuine believers.
The final harvest is not merely about winning new converts, but about the ultimate separation of the wheat from the tares. You (believers) are the harvest. It is the decisive moment when God separates genuine believers—those who have borne fruit in keeping with repentance—and pretenders who only appear godly outwardly.
But before this divine harvest can occur, God must ready His people. The latter rain outpouring is when God marks and seals his people (true believers) for the final harvest. Revelation 14:12-16 provides a vivid picture of this final harvest. Christ is seen with a sharp sickle in this vision, ready to reap the earth. This represents the gathering of those who truly belong to Him. The “wheat” in this harvest is God’s faithful people, who have endured with loyalty and obedience. They are the ones who have been purified, matured, and made ready for His kingdom. Those who do not fall into this category will have no choice but to receive the mark of the evil one—the mark of the beast.
Preparation for the latter rain outpouring begins with wholehearted repentance—a turning away from sin—and a life of consecration. This mirrors Joshua’s call 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 mighty works are not random; they are preceded by a people who are willing to be set apart, purified, and aligned with His will. This preparation includes:
- Spiritual Maturity: Just as crops must grow to full maturity, so must believers grow in Christlikeness through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.
- Empowerment for Witness: As in Acts, the Spirit will embolden the Church to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom with signs and wonders, reaching hearts across nations, tribes, and tongues.
- Unity and Love: The latter rain will bring supernatural unity in the Body of Christ, heal divisions, and prepare a Bride without spot or wrinkle.
- Purity and Holiness: The latter rain will purify and refine the Church through worldwide persecution. This persecution will break the Church’s attachment to the world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15), and serve as a divine sifting to separate the true disciples of Christ from those with only superficial faith (Matthew 13:20–21). In this refining fire, God will set apart a people who do not merely profess Christ with their lips but remain faithful and loyal to Him even when faced with death (Revelation 2:10; Matthew 24:9–13).
In times of peace, the Church may increase in numbers, but often remains spiritually shallow and influenced by worldly values. In times of persecution, the Church grows in depth, purity, and power. When the world turns hostile, the Church is reminded that it is not of this world—it becomes truly set apart. When persecution comes, man-centered, prosperity-driven, or worldly teachings are exposed as powerless. Persecution drives prayer deeper, worship purer, and forces believers to depend more on the Holy Spirit. Persecuted believers learn to stand together. Love becomes action, not just words. God allows persecution not to weaken the Church, but to refine it for the final harvest.
Living in Expectation
The early rain has fallen, and the seeds of the gospel have been sown. But now, in this prophetic hour, many believers sense a stirring: a call to repentance, consecration, deeper prayer and fasting, commitment to Christ, and expectancy. This is the preparation ground for the latter rain.
God is aligning His people for a mighty move and a new wave of revival. This coming mighty move of God is not just for revival in church buildings but for a global awakening that will reach every corner of society, healing, saving, and drawing multitudes to the Kingdom of God. This outpouring will not be confined to one location, denomination, or generation. The Holy Spirit will fall on all flesh, those willing, those prepared, those waiting, and those watching.
The Harvest Is Near
As farmers wait for the precious fruit of the earth, patiently enduring the early and latter rain, so must we wait upon the Lord (James 5:7-8). But this waiting is not passive. It is active, prayerful, and expectant. God is calling His people to readiness for the final harvest.
The early rain prepared the ground for seed sowing. The latter rain will bring harvest, bringing the fruit to fullness. God is preparing His people for what is coming. Are we ready?
