THE HIDDEN MYSTERY OF THE EARLY AND LATTER RAINS

Deu 11:10 For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:

Deu 11:11 But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:

Deu 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

Deu 11:13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deu 11:14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, THE FIRST RAIN and THE LATTER RAIN, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

THE EARLY RAIN

In the Bible, “Early rain” refers to the autumn rains that begin in October and last to March. It was eagerly looked for because it softened the hard and thirsty soil and prepared it for receiving the seed.

The hidden mystery of the early rain is that it typified THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD.

THE LATTER RAIN

The “latter rain” is the rain of spring that refreshes the crop and brings forth the harvest of fruit.

The hidden mystery of the Latter Rain is that it typified THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST .

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1Jn 5:11-12

“In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.” Pro 16:15

THE TESTING OF OUR FAITH

After we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, our faith must be tested and approved before we receive the crown of life [The latter rain / The Spirit of Christ. *]

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE HIM.” James 1:12

THE SCRIPTURES DEFINE HOW TO “LOVE GOD”

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Question: Can you be keeping God’s Commandments if you are breaking them? (Including the seventh day Sabbath commandment and laying down your life for Christ’s brethren.)

FIERY TRIALS WILL TEST OUR FAITHFULNESS

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

(THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST comes when our faith has been tested and approved. Therefore we must have patience and endurance as we overcome willful sin through the enabling power of THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD.)

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” James 5:7

Donna Kupp

* NOTE: Jesus spoke these words to his disciples: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you ANOTHER COMFORTER, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be IN YOU.” John 14:16-17

dk