The Latter Rain

 Revival:  a reawakening of religious fervor, especially by means of a series of evangelistic meeting.

"Have you heard about it?"  

"Heard about what?"

 Revival came to Ashbury University, and it lasted for days as thousands of people flocked there to be a part of what the Holy Spirit was doing in the hearts of those that were touched. 

I don't know about you, but I find it exciting!

Why? Because the Bible talks about the Latter Rain.

But what is the Latter Rain?

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 of Latter Rain theology.

And so this begs the question, is what has been going on at this University really the latter rain that Joel 2:23 speaks of?

Friends to be honest with you, I don't know. 

However, if we look at how corrupt the world has become just in the last couple of years, let alone past years, we know that we are certainly progressing towards the time of Jesus' return.

But we must be careful that we watch carefully because:

Mark 13:35 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return--whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.

And sometimes leaders can convince people that Jesus is going to come back at a certain time and perhaps believe it themselves and it doesn't happen. This has happened numerous times over since the beginning of time.

And when that happens, there are a lot of confusion and people often leave the church because of the lies. 

Just what the devil wants. 

Having said that, look also at what Jesus said.

 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

And so, is what has happened at this University the beginning of the return of Jesus?

Only God knows. But what has happened is spreading and so we should be looking up. Watching for his return. Because it could be.

He is getting his church ready for his return. And he will....

return.

There is no doubt in that fact.

Even if we do not know

when.

Thanks for coming by, Friends. Be blessed! Next post will be Feb.23 by 10 pm est.