End-Time Events: Latter Rain to Christ's Return

Here is a clear and organized explanation of the sequence of events leading up to the second advent of Christ, drawing upon the precious truths revealed to us.

🌧️ The Latter Rain and the Loud Cry

The latter rain, which is the teaching of righteousness according to righteousness, began in 1888 at Minneapolis, where it was unfortunately rejected by many. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which also signifies the times of refreshing, is essential for preparing God's people to participate in the loud cry of the third angel's message. It is the beginning of that message of glory that will lighten the whole earth. We are currently in the time of the latter rain and the loud cry, and we are encouraged to ask for it.LDE 201.1+97

This latter rain is identified as the message of Christ's righteousness. It is a gift from heaven, not something we can manufacture or originate ourselves. Our hearts must be purified to receive it, emptying ourselves of pride, selfishness, and all defilement.9MR 212.1+19. When this righteousness dwells within us, it leads to a character of perfection, allowing us to bear every test and prepare for translation.EVRR495+2

The "loud cry" is the final proclamation of the third angel's message, given with increasing power, as the earth is lightened with God's glory. It is a call to God's people to come out of Babylon, so they do not partake of her sins and receive her plagues.LDE 201.1+106

⏳ Close of Probation

The close of probation will come suddenly upon all when Jesus leaves the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary. At this time, all cases will be decided, and the mandate "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still" will go forth.EVRR251+45

Before the close of probation, several significant events occur:

• The investigative judgment deals with names in the book of life.GP 89.5

• An image to the beast is formed by religious and political leaders, leading to a universal Sunday law. This will culminate in a death decree for God's true followers and the mark of the beast for those who oppose Him.GP 89.5+1

• God's church gives the loud cry and experiences the latter rain, the shaking, the sealing, and a revival and reformation.GP 89.5

• There will be a "time of Jacob's trouble," which begins with the death decree before probation closes.7BC 984.4+8

• Famines and pestilences will increase, and God's judgments will be seen in fire, flood, and earthquake.LDE 27.2+5

⚔️ The Death Decree

A universal death decree will be issued against God's people prior to the close of probation. This decree is similar to that issued by Ahasuerus in the book of Esther, suggesting a potential eleven-month period between its issuance and execution.GP 89.5+5

God's people will be protected during this time, though they will experience hunger, thirst, and fierce heat. They will cry out to God for deliverance, and their prayers will be answered. Psalm 91:1-16+5EVRR247

🌍 The Plagues

The seven last plagues are literal judgments poured out on the earth after the close of probation, representing the full wrath of God. They are described as a "day of wrath, trouble, distress, devastation, and desolation." Zephaniah 1:15+2EVRR549+6

The first plague will afflict those who have received the mark of the beast. Revelation 16:2LUJ 253.4+2

The final plagues will culminate in a global earthquake and hail, leaving the world in ruins.EVRR549

👑 God Announcing the Day and Hour of His Coming

At the very end, just before Christ's actual personal coming, there will be the shaking of the powers of heaven and the sign of the Son of Man.ARSH January 10, 1865, page 54.14. The harvest of the earth takes place at the close of probation, representing the separation of the saved and the unsaved. The unsaved will be cast into the "great winepress of the wrath of God," which symbolizes the world during the outpouring of the plagues, leading to immense slaughter. Revelation 14:14+1EVRR520+1

The final seal of redemption is placed upon God's people after the formation of the image to the beast and after the latter rain. This seal, based on the prophecy in Ezekiel 9 protects God's people at the close of probation. Ezekiel 9:1-11+2EVRR236+4

We are assured that the generation living through these final events "shall not pass" until Christ comes and gathers His elect.ARSH January 10, 1865, page 54.14.