THE EARLY AND LATTER RAIN.
By Francis Gould
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. James v, 7. The apostle in the above text, takes a figure or a similitude from the natural world to explain spiritual things. We know by observation, and especially by revelation, that it is requisite in the order and economy of God, that there should be an early and latter rain for the germination, growth, and perfection of the precious fruit of the earth. "And it shall come to pass if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, that I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain, and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn and thy wine and thine oil. Deut. xi, 13, 14. "Neither say they in their heart, let us now fear the Lord our God that giveth rain, both the former and the latter in his season." Jer. v, 24. "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 the former rain unto the earth." Hos. vi, 3. To apply the figure, we learn that the church of God is to be visited with two general outpourings of God's holy Spirit which constitute the early and latter rain. We read in Matt. xxii, that a certain king made a marriage for his son and sent forth his servants saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; Come unto the marriage. This dinner was the last call to the Jews. 1st by John the Baptist, 2nd by Jesus Christ, 3rd by the apostles. The Jews as a body, rejected this call to the dinner. There were a few however that took heed to the warning. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not; but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on his name." John i, 11, 12. The church was led out step by step until they were fully prepared to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost (the early rain), which took place on the day of pentecost. Again in the xivth chapter of Luke there is a great supper brought to view; and at supper time there was a servant sent out to say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready. We understand that supper time is near the close of the day, and the last meal of the day. We believe it to be the last call to the Gentiles near the end of the gospel dispensation. There are three calls to the great supper corresponding with the three angels messages of Rev. xiv. Two calls have been made and passed away, and the third is now being made. The Gentiles as a body have rejected the invitation; but a few have taken heed to the last warning note and have been led out step by step, and are following in the track the Saviour has marked out, and will soon be prepared to receive the latter rain which will ripen them off for the great harvest and prepare them for translation. Says Peter, Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you whom the heavens must receive until the time of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Acts iii, 19-21. Here is a glorious restitution promised. Christ told his disciples that Elias should come and restore all things. John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elias to make ready a people prepared for the Lord; but he was to come again. When? Just before the great and notable day of the Lord. Says the prophet "Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers." Mal. iv, 5, 6. This prophecy is fulfilled by the servants of God who are going forth in the spirit and power of Elias (or Elijah) to gather out a people from the world that shall receive the refreshing from the presence of the Lord and stand on mount Zion. My mind glances back to the primitive church, where God's holy law was honored and revered, and the gifts were all in lively exercise. The doctrines and traditions of men had no place then in the church of God, but the mystery of iniquity had already begun in the days of Paul. The Man of sin, the Son of perdition was to practice and prosper, and cast down the truth to the ground for 1260 years. It thought to change times and laws. But thank God a brighter day is now arising on the church. "She cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved." "She looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun and terrible as an army with banners." Arise shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Put on thy strength O Zion, thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem. Again, God's truth will be restored. The question may arise in the mind of some what this truth is? The prophet Ezekiel speaking of a certain class of people, says, "Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things; they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them." Eze. xxii, 26. But the prophet Isaiah speaks of a certain class that shall be called the repairers of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in. This life and death question occupies a conspicuous place in this restoration. The gifts of the gospel church which have been so long trodden down will take their place in the church, which will prepare her to be presented before the Father without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. The same rain that ripens the wheat for the garner ripens the tares to be burned. The separating line is being drawn. The broad road that leads to death is fast filling up. Into the narrow way that leads to life the saints are pressing, and will soon hear the welcome sound, "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." FRANCIS GOULD.
East Brookfield, Vt.