The Purpose of the Latter Rain

1. The latter rain fully ripens earth’s harvest and thus prepares it for the sickle.

“The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it for the sickle.” TM 506

“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.” TM 506

Notice the expressions which are very significant:
“Ripens the grain.”
“Prepares it for the sickle.”
“The completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul.”
“The moral image of God is to be perfected in the character.”
“We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ.”

2. The latter rain seals God’s people, making permanent their early rain experience of complete, unbroken victory over sin.

“When the decree [the National Sunday Law] goes forth, and the stamp is impressed [the seal of God], their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity.” 5T 216

“The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, never more to be deified by the corruptions of the world….Now they are eternally secure from the tempter’s devices….holy angels, unseen were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God.” 5T 475

The seal of God is, “A settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved.” 4 BC 1161

3. The latter rain empowers God’s people to give the loud cry. It gives power to the loud cry of the third angel.

“At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the ‘latter rain, ’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come to give power to the loud voice of the third angel.” EW 85–86

4. The latter rain prepares God’s people for the time of trouble.

“It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble.” 1T 353

“At that time [the little time of trouble] the ‘latter rain, ’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come to…prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.” EW 86–86

“The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet.” EW 277

5. The latter rain prepares God’s people for the coming of Jesus.

“The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man.” TM 506

“But unless the members of God’s church today have a living connection with the Source of all spiritual growth, they will not be ready for the time of reaping. Unless they keep their lamps trimmed and burning, they will fail of receiving added grace in times of special need.” “Those only who are constantly receiving fresh supplies of grace, will have power proportionate to their daily need and their ability to use that power.” AA 55

6. The latter rain prepares God’s people for the finishing touch of immortality and translation.

“Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation.” 1T 187

“None are living Christians unless they have a daily experience in the things of God and daily practice self–denial, cheerfully bearing the cross and following Christ. Every living Christian will advance daily in the divine life. As he advances toward perfection, he experiences a conversion to God every day; and this conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of Christian character, a full preparation for the finishing touch of immortality.” 2T 505

7. The latter rain prepares God’s people to look upon the face and to live in the presence of a holy God.

“Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully. I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They [the professed Christians] had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing [the latter rain] that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God.” EW 71

The summary of the seven-fold purpose of the latter rain

1. Ripens grain for harvest
2. Seals God’s people in permanent and absolute surrender
3. Empowers people of god to proclaim loud cry
4. Fits people of god for time of trouble
5. Prepares for the coming of Christ by cleansing of all earthliness
6. Prepares for immortality and for translation
7. Fits them to live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor in the sanctuary