What does EGW write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "Difference between the early rain and the late rain"
Answer
The "early rain" refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the Christian era on Pentecost, to promote the germination and growth of the spiritual seed. In contrast, the "late rain" is given at the end of world history to allow the harvest to ripen spiritually and to prepare the congregation for the coming of Christ. Both events mark decisive phases of the gospel, with the completion of the work being carried out with equally great divine power as its beginning.
The significance of early and late rain
The work will be similar to that of Pentecost. Just as the "early rain" was given at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the gospel to cause the precious seed to rise, so the "late rain" will be given at its end to let the harvest ripen.
But near the end of the earth's harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the congregation for the coming of the Son of Man. This outpouring of the Spirit is compared to the falling of the late rain; and it is this additional power that Christians are to ask the Lord of the harvest for "in the time of the late rain".
The outpouring of God's Spirit on Pentecost—the coming of the Comforter as Teacher—was comparable to the "early rain" that caused the newly sown seed of the farmer to take root and grow. Thus the farmer—our heavenly Father—awaits the "late rain", the "refreshment", at the ripening of the earth's harvest shortly before the end, to help in the ripening of the earth's harvest.
The great works of the gospel will not end with a lesser manifestation of God's power than marked its beginning. The prophecies that were fulfilled in the outpouring of the early rain at the beginning of the gospel are to be fulfilled again in the late rain at its end.
- Outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the end of the age
- Pentecost and the late rain
- Preparation for the second coming of Christ
Original Sources (English)
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