The Bible depicts the glories of the end-time Spirit-filled church in many passages. Joel 3:18 provides a sample of the abundance of heaven’s blessings that will be given at that time,
“And it will come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drip with new wine, the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; a fountain shall flow from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Acacias.”
What Christian couldn’t enjoy meditating on the glories depicted in such passages?
Failure to Recognize the Glorious Advent
Like us, the Jews in Christ’s day never tired of speaking of the glory soon to come to Israel. “In the regular service for the day, the elder read from the prophets, and exhorted the people still to hope for the Coming One, who would bring in a glorious reign, and banish all oppression. He sought to encourage his hearers by rehearsing the evidence that the Messiah’s coming was near. He described the glory of His advent ….” (DA 236). It may never have occurred to the Jews that they might not recognize the glory of the Messiah.
Christ’s first advent was glorious. His presence in the Temple was the glory promised by the prophet Haggai (Hag 2:7). In that wonderful closing prayer with His disciples, Jesus stated, “I have glorified You on the earth” (John 17:4). Then He prayed that His life would reveal even more glory, “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:5).
God answered that prayer with the glory streaming from the cross (Gal 6:14)—the glory of self-sacrificing love (DA 19). But this glory of Christ’s first advent was a far different glory than most Jews expected, desired, or could appreciate. In their minds this wasn’t glory at all and they despised it (1 Cor 1:23). This glory contained no beauty that they desired (Isa 53:2).
Could this be a warning for Seventh-day Adventists?
Failure to Recognize the Glorious Latter Rain
Is it possible that many of us will actually fail to recognize the glorious time of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring? Is the glory of the Latter a glory we desire and can appreciate? Could we be as unprepared to recognize the glory of the latter rain as the Jews were to recognize the glory in Christ’s Advent?
The Jews overlooked the prophets’ warning that the Messiah’s advent was not only a time of great glory, but also a time of increased darkness for some. Amos warned: “Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.… Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?” (Amos 5:18).
An Old Testament Illustration
During a war with Syria, Israel’s capital, Samaria, was besieged. This siege was so effective that the inhabitants began to starve. At least one mother became so hungry that she ate her own baby and then took her most trusted friend to court because the friend had refused to cook and share her baby with her for a final meal (2 Ki 6:27-29).
In the midst of this terrible crisis, Elisha foretold the glories of the coming outpouring of heaven’s blessings. “Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria’” (2 Ki 7:1). However, not all would share in this coming abundance for Elisha told one of the incredulous listeners, “You shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it” (2 Ki 7:2). He would see the blessing of heaven, but not experience them. The blessing that would bring life and joy to many would bring death to him.
Many of the Jews would see others filled with the joy of following Jesus, while they themselves would experience none of this joys. The advent of the Messiah which brought life to some, brought death to others. Could it be possible that some of us might see the glorious latter rain with our eyes yet be unable to partake of it? Could the latter rain prove to be a period of darkness, a period of “death unto death” (2 Cor 2:16) for some of us?
A Time of Contrasts
The latter rain will be a time of unimaginable contrasts for the people of God. It will be a time both of great light and correspondingly great darkness. “It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended” (9T 16).
Constant Communion with Heaven
At that time God’s people “will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth” (ibid). In response to the unceasing prayers of the saints who are running to and fro through the Scriptures (Dan 12:4), the loyal angels will be hastening “to and fro in heaven” (GC 613).
Our communication with heaven will be unlike today’s cellphone communication with its frequently dropped calls and numerous “dead spots.” At all times and in all places we will enjoy uninterrupted and “constant communication” with heaven.
Unfortunately, heavenly angels will not be the only angels that are extremely active during that time. For 2,000 years, Satan has been preparing to defeat the latter rain. At the very time the Holy Spirit is utilizing every means to undeceive lost people in the world, Satan will be working to deceive saved people in the church—the elect. “Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect” (9T 16).
The phrase miracles of all kinds should give us pause. At the time of Christ, Jesus’ miracles were a proof of His divinity. But at the end of time, miracles will not be a proof of truth. “God’s people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought” (ibid).
A Time of Testing for God’s People
The time for the Holy Spirit’s greatest outpouring is also the time of the unholy spirit’s greatest outpouring, his greatest miracles, his greatest control of the people of the world and some even within the church. Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted and counterfeited the work of Moses (2 Tim 3:8), Satan’s agents will be resisting and counterfeiting the work of God’s people.
Thus the glorious time of the latter rain will be a time of testing for God’s people. Are we preparing for it? We are told of the disciples just before the testing glories of the cross: “They were unprepared for the test” (DA 673).
Are we as unprepared for the glorious loud cry as the disciples were unprepared for the glory of the cross? We are cautioned, “Ministers and people are unprepared for the time in which they live, and nearly all who profess to believe present truth are unprepared to understand the work of preparation for this time” (1T 466).
As surprising as it sounds, without a preparation we will not be able to recognize the marvelous latter rain and participate in the loud cry. We will actually believe the glory of the latter rain is a deception of Satan!
The Necessary Preparation
The early rain is the necessary preparation to recognize, understand, and receive the latter rain.
“The latter rain, ripening earth's harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection” (TM 506).
Without the early rain, the latter rain will be rejected as spurious. “We may be sure that when the Holy Spirit is poured out those who did not receive and appreciate the early rain will not see or understand the value of the latter rain” (TM 399).
How is it possible that the glorious latter rain is unrecognized?
Latter Rain Regarded as Fanaticism
The announcement of Jesus’ first coming given by the shepherds and wisemen was called fanaticism by the Jewish leaders. The teachers, scribes, priests, and influential leaders “would not even go to Bethlehem to see whether these things were so. And they led the people to regard the interest in Jesus as a fanatical excitement” (DA 62).
In the same way the true outpouring of the Holy Spirit will be rejected by many Seventh-day Adventists as a fanatical excitement. “The Spirit of God is not acknowledged and respected; men have passed judgment upon it; its operations have been condemned as fanaticism, enthusiasm, undue excitement” (CT 367).
And in a serious warning to respected professors in our colleges and universities the question is asked, “Are not the teachers in our schools in danger of blasphemy, of charging the Holy Spirit with being a deceiving power and leading into fanaticism?” (CT 358).
Fanaticism Called the Holy Spirit
At the same time Satan is inspiring some teachers, ministers, and leaders to call the genuine latter rain fanaticism, Satan will bring in fanaticism and with inspire some to call fanaticism the latter rain!
“There is constant danger of allowing something to come into our midst that we may regard as the workings of the Holy Spirit, but that in reality is the fruit of a spirit of fanaticism” (2SM 43). “In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit” (GC 464).
How Can We Distinguish the Holy Spirit from Fanaticism?
Those who experience the early rain will alone will be able to know the difference between the working of the Holy Spirit and the workings of fanaticism. Their own experience with the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the early rain combined with the understanding of the Bible that accompanies the early rain, will give them the necessary wisdom to know the difference between the genuine Holy Spirit and the spurious. All others will see the latter rain and fanaticism as one and the same and following the lead of some leaders and friends they will reject both the latter rain and fanaticism. But if we confuse the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit with fanaticism we blaspheme the Holy Spirit and commit the unpardonable sin (Mt 12:31). The time of great light will become a time of great darkness. Recognized and accepted, the glorious latter rain brings life to many. Its glory—self-sacrificing love—despised, unrecognized, spurned, and rejected brings death.
Fanaticism
Feeling and Excitement
Fanaticism is a religious amphetamine. It focuses on feeling and excitement. “Some seemed to think that religion consisted in great excitement and noise” (CET 73). “Fanaticism, false excitement, false talking in tongues, and noisy exercises have been considered gifts which God has placed in the church. Some have been deceived here” (LDE 159).
Fruits
“The fruits of all this have not been good. “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Fanaticism and noise have been considered special evidences of faith. Some are not satisfied with a meeting unless they have a powerful and happy time. They work for this and get up an excitement of feeling. But the influence of such meetings is not beneficial. When the happy flight of feeling is gone they sink lower than before the meeting because their happiness did not come from the right source” (ibid).
Turns Attention Away from the Word of God
“I am afraid of anything that would have a tendency to turn the mind away from the solid evidences of the truth as revealed in God’s Word. I am afraid of it; I am afraid of it. We must bring our minds within the bounds of reason, lest the enemy so come in as to set everything in a disorderly way. There are persons of an excitable temperament who are easily led into fanaticism; and should we allow anything to come into our churches that would lead such persons into error, we would soon see these errors carried to extreme lengths, and then because of the course of these disorderly elements, a stigma would rest upon the whole body of Seventh-day Adventists” (2SM 43).
Latter Rain
The Holy Spirit’s Working Characterized by Solemnity
“The most profitable meetings for spiritual advancement are those which are characterized with solemnity and deep searching of heart, each seeking to know himself and, earnestly and in deep humility, seeking to learn of Christ” (1T 412).
Notice this characteristic of William Miller’s preaching, “These lectures produced a great sensation, and the Christian church, on Casco Street, that Mr. Miller occupied, was crowded day and night. No wild excitement attended these meetings, but a deep solemnity pervaded the minds of those who heard his discourses” (LS 136).
Fruit of Holy Spirit
“The proud and self-assertive became meek and lowly of heart. The vain and supercilious became serious and unobtrusive. The profane became reverent, the drunken sober, and the profligate pure. The vain fashions of the world were laid aside” (GC 461).
Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the preaching of the word will be with power. Sinners will be converted, the sick will quietly be healed, and the Sabbath truth will be proclaimed more fully.
Excites Persecution
“The power attending the last warning has enraged the wicked; their anger is kindled against all who have received the message, and Satan will excite to still greater intensity the spirit of hatred and persecution” (GC 614). Those brethren who reject the latter rain and apostatize will be part of those who are filled with hatred. “These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren, and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us” (5T 463).
And that brings us back to 9T 16, “It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended.”
Phil Mills, MD, is a graduate of the Loma Linda School of Medicine, and a retired dermatologist. Phil lives in Tennessee, and enjoys writing and theology.