The Former and Latter Rain Harvest
Another promise we have for this end-time is the latter rain joining the former rain (anointing) that will help bring forth an abundant harvest. James 5:7 reads Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,waiting expectantly [keeping his vigil]over it until it receives the early and late rains. 8 For you also must be patient. Establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not complain against one another so that you are judged. Behold the judge is already standing at the door. I am reminded very clearly that the Lord is admonishing His children to not judge or complain. What a hard lesson to learn.
The former rain is indicative of the early gentle moisture coming down upon tender plants but the latter rains are heavy rains to bring the fruit to maturity and complete a great harvest in the land. The planting time was in the fall season and the harvest in the Spring for Israel. At the time that we receive salvation the incorruptible seed is planted in our heart that must continue to grow, through all seasons, into a mature fruit bearing tree. The Father/ vine dresser cares for it, even pruning it so that it bears much fruit. In Hosea chapter 10, verse 12 we read; Sow for yourselves according to righteousness, reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. Break up your uncultivated ground,for it is time to seek the Lord and inquire of Him, and to require His favor, till He teaches you righteousness and rains salvation upon you,(also Hosea 6:1-6). We WILL reap what we sow.
Most believers think that the primary harvest being brought in is souls coming to the Lord as they receive salvation. This is important and will increase abundantly as the world hears the message and sees the signs and wonders that follow the true gospel of the Kingdom being preached. Bringing new babes to the Lord is wonderful but we must help them grow up and become like Christ. That is why I believe that this latter harvest rain is foremost of mature, spirit led believers being brought to the place of completion, bearing Fruits of Righteousness, who bring glory to the Lord of the Harvest. After the harvest comes in, good seed is divided out for planting the next season and so on.
A fruitful mature one will reproduce after it’s own kind, teaching and encouraging others rather than competing or becoming jealous. What we know is less important that what we are in quality or integrity on the inside. When we walk in love we have/are a living testimony of the Divine Nature of YHWH dwelling in us as we abide in the living vine. This first-fruit seed is indicative of the tithe brought into the temple to bless the Lord. Offerings and sacrifices were offered up for atonement and blessings. Obedience is always better than sacrifice. Romans 12:1-2 gives us the picture of HOW we can become completed through the renewing of our minds which is also called sanctification. Many of the Lord's parables share the truths found in nature planting and reaping. The Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13; Mark 4) is a picture of the different levels of harvest. Many things can hinder the planting and growth of the Word in our hearts so that we bring forth a 30 or 60 fold harvest rather than 100 pecent. Things like the deceitfulness of riches as well as the "negative" things like trials and persecution can diminish the fulfillment of our Christian destiny.
The first example that we have of this first-fruit harvest is the twelve disciples who walked close to the Messiah. Three of them (Peter, James and John) are said to have had the closest relationship. The next chosen group is seen at Pentecost as it was fulfilled literally with 120 believers receiving the filling/baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Spring Feast of the Lord are a type and shadow of the different levels of harvest. In between Passover and Pentecost is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The story of Passover tells us about the flight from Egypt where the Israelites could not wait for the bread to rise. The traditions and symbolism that the Jews have kept requires that each household be cleansed of any leavening agent from top to bottom. This would include not only yeasts but molds or any form of fermentation, i.e.leaven. The reason behind all of this is to testify of the personal spiritual commitment necessary to search our hearts to get rid of any pride or selfish motives and so forth; Psalm 51. The First Century believers represent the former rain group because of their unity and anointing that has been a testimony throughout the centuries. There have been some others who might qualify for this level of walking in the Spirit but it has been sparse.
When the people of YHWH prepared for the Feasts of the Lord there was a time of reflection and purification before they celebrated as a community with great peace and joy. I believe this gave them confidence before God and respect and compassion for each other. It takes the power of Yahweh through a relationship of intimacy to expose sin (the symptom) and self (the cause) to wash us clean. The words communion and community have the same root reflecting a deeper flowing together in one heart and purpose. During the Feast of Pentecost the disciples were waiting in Jerusalem, keeping the tradition of a deep devotional time of cleansing and repentance; emptying themselves to be filled. King David proclaimed that God desires truth in the inward parts; Psalm 51; “Create in me a clean heart O, God and renew a right spirit in me.”
In the Tabernacle the first article of sacred furniture is the laver of water. The Levitical priests had to ceremoniously bathe before entering the Holy Place to minister in the Temple. This represents the continual process of sanctification. Water is always significant of the Word and the Spirit. The joining of the former and latter rain shows us an increase exponentially of the anointing of the Holy Spirit that brings forth the harvest of full grown believers; the anointing of unity spoken of in Psalm 133. These are the Sons of God who will walk in the manifest glory of the Lord. Zechariah admonishes us to pray for rain in the time of the latter rain. It will restore green pastures for the sheep of His hand. Another beautiful picture in scripture is Christ washing the disciples feet which shows us that although we have been cleansed by the water of the Word we are still going to be defiled where we walk in the world. Therefore we need to wash each other’s feet. As High priest and as a servant he ministered this cleansing to the others.