Why Latter Rain is Withheld and How to Receive

The latter rain is currently withheld due to a lack of complete consecration, selfishness, and a general lack of laboring together with God within the church. It is also withheld because the church has not been humble enough to bear the gifts that come with it, and because of existing errors and unbelief among professed Christians.CS 52.1+1

Understanding the Latter Rain

The "latter rain" is a biblical metaphor representing a profound outpouring of God's Holy Spirit, destined to occur as the current dispensation draws to a close. This spiritual refreshing is intimately linked with the Third Angel's Message, equipping God's people with power for its greatest proclamation.LDE 183.1+8 The term "latter rain" comes from the agricultural cycle in the East, where the former rain aids germination, and the latter rain ripens the harvest for gathering.LDE 183.1+2 In a spiritual sense, the "former rain" occurred at Pentecost, marking the beginning of the Christian age and the sowing of the gospel seed.EVRR651+5 The "latter rain" will complete this work, preparing a golden harvest for God's garner.EVRR651+4

Reasons for its Withholding

Several factors contribute to the withholding of this powerful blessing:

• Lack of Consecration and Labor: A significant reason the latter rain is not yet fully experienced is the absence of entire, wholehearted consecration to Christ's service. God cannot pour out His Spirit when selfishness and self-indulgence are prevalent, and when a spirit akin to Cain's "Am I my brother's keeper?" prevails among a large portion of the church who are not actively laboring with Him.CS 52.1

• Errors and Unbelief: Historically, the gifts of the Spirit have been rarely manifested since the great apostasy. This has led many to mistakenly believe these gifts were limited to the early church. However, the true reason for their infrequent manifestation is the errors and unbelief within the church, not God withdrawing His blessings.TDOC 243.2

• Lack of Humility: The church's insufficient humility is another key reason the Spirit's gifts are not more evident. The Lord will not entrust the gifts of the Spirit to those whose affections remain attached to the world, or who still harbor pride, as this could lead to their ruin and entrenchment in error.TDOC 243.2

• Failure to Appreciate Present Grace: Those who fail to receive and appreciate the "early rain"—the constant dew and showers of grace falling upon them now—will not discern the value of the latter rain when it comes. This implies a continuous need for recognizing and appropriating God's daily mercies.1MR 177.2+1

• Sin and Disobedience: The Bible indicates that the withholding of rain (both literal and spiritual) is a consequence of iniquity and a rebellious heart. Sins, such as robbing God in tithes and offerings, violating His law, and profaning holy things, turn away good things and lead to the withholding of blessings. Jeremiah 5:23-27+4

Conditions for Receiving the Latter Rain

To experience the latter rain, God's people must prepare themselves:

• Primitive Faith and Practice: When God's people return to the primitive faith and practice of the early church, as they surely will under the final message, the latter rain will be poured out, and all the spiritual gifts will be revived in their fullness.TDOC 243.2

• Overcoming Sin: Individuals cannot share in the refreshing of the latter rain unless they achieve victory over every temptation, including pride, selfishness, love of the world, and every wrong word and action.GCDB February 27, 1899, page 96.8+1

• Consecration and Purification: It is a present duty to yield our souls to Christ, emptying ourselves of self, envy, jealousy, evil-surmising, and strife. Our spiritual vessels must be purified and ready for the heavenly dew and showers.1888 959.6+2

• Seeking God and Repentance: There is a call to return to the Lord, to seek Him until He rains righteousness upon us, and to ask for the Spirit in the time of the latter rain. Hosea 6:1-3+2 A spirit of repentance is crucial, as is a hunger for righteousness and intercession for the church.BDOC 55.48+2

• United Action and Diligence: The Lord calls for united action and earnest work in His vineyard. Diligence and grace are necessary to carry on God's work.BTS December 1, 1903, par. 4+2

• Exalting Christ: The latter rain will come through Jesus Christ, who received the promise of the Father. Exalting Christ in His fullness, as exemplified by the Sabbath, is paramount.GCDB February 11, 1893, page 222.8+1

• Accepting Righteousness from Heaven: Those willing to receive righteousness solely from heaven, rather than trying to achieve it themselves, are prepared to receive the latter rain.GCDB February 23, 1893, page 359.4

The latter rain is a promise to those who meet the conditions of obedience and purification.RH September 4, 1913, par. 12+1 It signifies a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, bringing power to the loud cry of the Third Angel's Message and preparing the saints to stand during the final period of trouble.1888 959.6+5 It is a blessing to be eagerly awaited with patience, as the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth. James 5:7MPC 121.3+5