The Dew & The Rain

Latter Rain

My doctrine shall drop as the rain,

Former Rain

my speech shall distil as the dew,

as the small rain upon the tender herb,

and as the showers upon the grass:

Deuteronomy 32:2

"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.
There is to be "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."  Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain.

They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement, and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit ....

Preparation required......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. ........They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God.
 ...... if God's people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting. The refreshing or power of God comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
The Former And The Latter Rain E.G.W.

....for he hath given you the former rain moderately,

and he will cause to come down for you the rain,

the former rain,

and the latter rain .......

Joel 2:23