Ellen White on Discerning the Latter Rain Outpouring

The Holy Spirit’s final outpouring in the latter rain may be falling on hearts all around us, yet we will fail to discern or receive it unless we are daily advancing in Christian virtues and living up to the light we already possessLDE 195.4+2.

The Condition for Recognizing the Spirit

• Daily Progression: Unless we are consistently exemplifying active Christian virtues and moving forward in our spiritual walk, we will be blind to the manifestations of the Holy Spirit during the time of the latter rainLDE 195.4+1.

• Preparation is Required: Many mistakenly wait for a future "refreshing" to fit them for the day of the Lord, but if they neglect the necessary preparation now, they will find themselves without a shelter in the time of troubleCET 112.3+1.

• The Danger of Coldness: Those who are looking forward to the latter rain to do the work God requires of them today will become so spiritually cold that they will not even recognize the rain when it falls4LtMs, Ms 87, 1886, par. 11.

The Early and Latter Rain Relationship

• Value of the Early Rain: The Holy Spirit works like the natural rain; the former rain causes the seed to germinate, while the latter rain matures the harvestLDE 183.1+1.

• Missing the Blessing: Those who failed to receive and appreciate the "early rain"—the daily grace provided for spiritual growth—will not understand the value of the latter rain and will not receive its power1MR 179.2+1.

• Cleansing the Vessel: To receive this heavenly blessing, we must individualy cleanse the soul temple from every defilement and maintain a close, living connection with GodCCh 334.1+2.

The Call to Action

• Fall on the Rock: We must permit our old nature to be broken by falling upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, rather than being content with a superficial or formal serviceCOL 411.1+2.

• Seek and Ask: We are instructed not to rest satisfied that rain will fall in its ordinary course, but to earnestly ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain Zechariah 10:1TM 508.1+1.

• Daily Surrender: The time to be crucified to self is right now, as we must daily receive the Holy Spirit's working to be prepared for the final test1MR 179.2+1.

...hristian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 507 (1897)— LDE 195.4 (1992)

...Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it...— Pr 119.1 (2002)

...Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it— TM 507.1 (1923)