While in prayer for our Country I saw in the Spirit clouds full of rain. I asked the Holy Spirit what do the clouds mean and then the words came, "Rain on Us".
Jesus, you are here
In your majesty you are here
In your purity you are here
Among us
Spirit, you are here
In your holiness you are here
In your power you are here
Within us
Chorus:
Rain upon us Lord
Let your spirit take control of our lives
Rain upon us Lord
Former and Latter Rains
The phrase the “former and latter” rain occurs multiple times in the Bible and the exact wording varies from version to version. Deuteronomy 11:14; Jeremiah 5:24; Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23; Zechariah 10:1 and James 5:7 are the only credible examples of this phrase in the Bible.
There are at least two different meanings given to the expression “latter and former rain” which is also translated as “early and late rain,” “first rain and the latter rain” or “autumn and spring rains.” One interpretation assumes a literal meaning and the other a spiritual meaning of the expression.
Deuteronomy 11:13-15 – Early and Late Rains
Deuteronomy 11:13-15 is part of a promise that God gave to the nation of Israel that if they would love Him (Deuteronomy 11:1) and keep His commandments (Deuteronomy 11:8) then He would bless them. The blessing is described in the entire chapter and verses 13-15 is a promise of enough rain to grow their crops and feed their animals.
In Israel the early rains came in the autumn (October-November) and the latter rain came in the spring (March-April).
Jeremiah 5:24 – Autumn and Spring Rains
In Jeremiah 5:24 God declares that He gives us rain. . . . Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.
Hosea 6:3 – Winter and Spring Rains
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:1-3 describes the second coming of the Lord Jesus at the beginning of the millennial kingdom. Zechariah 12:10-13 describes the second coming of Christ and Hosea 6:1-3 says that in two to three days the inhabitants of Jerusalem were healed, that is, they become Christians.
His coming is like rain. He brings refreshment and joy.
Zechariah 10:1 – Later Rain Is Spring Rain
Ask rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain – The LORD who makes the storm clouds; And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man.
Rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain – The LORD who makes the storm clouds; And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man.
James 5:7 – Autumn and Spring Rains
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
These passages refer to God’s provision and grace in meeting our needs just as He provides rain or water to help plants and animals grow. God takes care of those who follow Him and those who do not. He cares for the ungrateful (Luke 6:35) and those who are thankful.
Joel 2:23 refers to the early and latter rain as well. This passage is important since some teach it has a spiritual meaning when it refers to the rain.
The coming of the Holy Spirit was a prefigurement of the prophecy (Acts 2:17-20), but the actual fulfillment of the prophecy will occur only after Jesus’ second coming and during the kingdom. The signs of the return of Jesus and the Holy Spirit will be a “fireworks” display in the sky. Jesus returns at the future battle of Armageddon in the Valley of Jehoshaphat as described in Joel 3.
So rejoice, O sons of Zion, and be glad in the LORD your God; for He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has poured down for you the rain, the early and latter rain as before. Joel 2:23 (NASB)
According to some, the “early rain” in Joel 2:23 refers to the first Pentecost and the “latter rain” refers to a future Pentecost when the Holy Spirit will be poured out in an unusual way. As a result, revival will occur and many will believe in God. But the passage does not say that. Some have said that this interpretation will be known only to those who “exhibit the gifts of the spirit.” Unfortunately, that could be said about any passage in scripture.
We must remember that God did not give us a mystery Bible with secret meanings. The apostles Paul and Peter told us that we can know the truth by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11-14) and by hard study (2 Timothy 2:15). In 2 Peter 3:15-16, the apostle Peter said that Paul wrote some things that were difficult to understand, but Peter understood them. According to the apostles Peter and John, the meaning of the Bible is not left to a few individuals who have secret insight into scripture (2 Peter 1:20).
The book of Joel deals with the future. Chapters 1 and 2 talk about the future Day of the Lord (Joel 1:15; 2:1). Joel 2:1-11 prophesies that at sometime in the future the land of Israel will be under siege by an invading army (Joel 2:4-5, 20). Joel 2:12-17 describes the future repentance of Israel (Zechariah 12:10-14). Joel 2:18-27 describes God’s future response to their repentance. The pastures will become green; the trees will grow and bear fruit (v. 22). The grains will flourish, and they will have plenty to eat (v. 22-26). Verse 23 is a promise that God will restore the early and later rains. Already Israel reports that the rains have increased since Israel has returned to the land. Joel 2:23 is describing literal rain, H2O. This is a prophetic promise of God’s blessing in the millennial kingdom. It is not a reference to Pentecost or to a future Pentecost.
The promises of 2:19-27 will find their ultimate and absolute fulfillment as the Lord intervenes on Israel’s behalf (2:28-32), decisively judges the nation’s enemies (3:1-16a, 19), and securely establishes His people in the their land (3:1, 16b-18, 20-21).
When we come to Joel 2:28-32 we discover that God has promised the Holy Spirit will be poured out on all mankind in the future.
Fulfillment of the Prophecy
The phrase “come about after this” looks to the time after Christ’s second coming or the time of the millennial kingdom. This becomes obvious when we read verse 30-31 and realize that the second coming of Christ is described in similar words. When Jesus describes His second coming in Matthew 24:29-30 He refers to the sun, sky, darkness and the moon.
