Counsel #6 — Agrarian Symbols

Picture: Counsel #6 — Agrarian SymbolsCFL 64.1

The function of the early or former rain in Palestine is to sprout the seed. The latter rain ripens the grain and prepares it for the harvest. These functions taken from the agrarian culture of the Middle East represent the first mighty falling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and then the second special outpouring of the Holy Spirit just before Jesus comes to complete God’s work of grace on the soul.^{[60]https://ssnet.org/blog/early-and-latter-rain/}CFL 64.2

“Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.” Hosea 6:3 NKJVCFL 64.3

“As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ.” Ellen White in Testimonies to Ministers, p. 506CFL 64.4

Reflect: Are you asking God every day for the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to make you more like Jesus?CFL 64.5