What Brings the Latter Rain?

A few have now and then through the years taught that the latter rain had already begun. That idea, however, is not in harmony with the Scriptures and the Testimonies. Adventists have many mighty revivals to report, and praise God for them, but that which the Lord calls the latter rain is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit beyond anything that has ever been seen by God’s people since Pentecost. It has never been revealed to us just where or when or how it will first come. Many, indeed, will not recognize it at all until it is too late. Speaking of the manner of His kingdom of grace on earth, the Savior said: “First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28. About the year 1899, A. F. Ballenger and a few others traveled from camp meeting to camp meeting and from school to school with the slogan (called a “message” by mistake) “Receive Ye the Holy Ghost.” They boastingly called it a movement to bring the latter rain, but it raveled out, bringing nothing but disappointment to themselves and others. As a young preacher in Minnesota, I asked the conference president, C. W. Flaiz, a wise and godly leader: “Is this spectacular excitement with no conversion or sorrow for sin really the latter rain?” He carefully replied, “I never criticize revivalists who visit our meetings as guests.... You watch for the fruits and decide for yourself.” Unfortunately that was easily done, and Elder Ballenger left for another failure in England.FSG 441.2

Pentecost was prepared by a small group in a quiet upper room practically unnoticed and at a time when the church seemed defeated and nearly lost. Many years ago a small group of rather extreme believers had a meeting of ten days in Winnipeg and gave out the word that this would bring the latter rain. But it did not. One thing is certain that the time for the latter rain is set by the Lord—not by us. Another thing, too, is sure: it may come to a few here or there, but those who get it will never be boastful or in love with noisy demonstrations. The one thing of overwhelming importance is that all God’s children should now be praying for the Holy Spirit and preparing their hearts by holy consecration every hour and day.FSG 442.1

In connection with this preparation and longing for power from on high, one great truth should be stressed in order that this blessing from the Lord will come. In a meeting of some leaders of the General Conference in 1909 this same question came up for discussion. Many emphasized that our people must put away sin, exercise faith for the victorious life, and other good thoughts. Then G. I. Butler, many years a most diligent and devoted president in our organization, arose and said, “Brethren, I have always found through the years that if we want a revival we must preach the soon coming of Christ. That is our message. If we get away from that as our keynote, we grow lukewarm and weak in faith. So I say, if you want a genuine awakening, preach again as we did formerly the glorious second advent of our blessed Lord. That is to be the cap sheaf of our work.” I remember as if it were yesterday his words, especially that term cap sheaf, which he emphasized with all his power. His words need to be kept in mind today when there is danger that we may leave the old-time distinct, pointed, and sharp advent preaching and take up with popular, polished, ethical sermons, which never hurt and consequently never heal anyone.FSG 442.2