Thursday August 29, 2013
As we think of the Loud Cry and the Latter Rain, the 1858 Great Controversy comes to mind, page 186. We discussed this a bit yesterday. In particular this is where the word refreshing is added to the Loud Cry and the Latter Rain. We understand through Isaiah 28:12 that this Refreshing is the spiritual understanding of God’s words.
The last part of that verse says “yet they would not hear.” This implies listening. Not the casual listening of everyday sound waves entering our ears. This implies a listening to this other tongue. It implies allowing and accepting God’s teachings and definitions of his own words.
I’m sure you remember God’s method of teaching using parallel phrases. Notice what God is saying in this verse.
I will pour out my spirit unto you,
I will make known my words unto you. Proverbs 1:23
Very clearly, very carefully God is teaching that the out-pouring of the Holy Ghost is the same as God making known his words to us. BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT WE WERE TAUGHT!!!
You are exactly right! As with so many other things I learned in a lifetime of growing up in an apostate church, so many of the members working hand in hand with Satan and know it not! See No. 23, page 101.
We must re-learn many important truths, things we thought were so solid, yet, the authentic Spirit of Prophecy proves them to be the devices of Satan and we were deceived! Our only hope of life is to cling to Christ and follow him.
Notice the words in the following passages. Especially note the relationship between the two items, refreshing and latter rain, as highlighted.
I was pointed down to the time when the third angel’s message was closing. The power of GOD had rested upon his people. They had accomplished their work, and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the LORD, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of earth, who would not receive the message. p. 197, Para. 1, [GC58].
At that time, [since October 23, 1844] while the work of salvation is closing, [see No. 23, page 22] trouble will be coming on the earth, the nations will be angry, yet held in check, so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the “latter rain,” or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. p. 3, Para. 4, [SUPCEV].
This is a process that began with Hiram Edson’s vision in the corn field, it’s called the third angel’s message. October 23, 1844 began the time of the end, for this gospel of the kingdom has been preached in all the world at the first angel’s message.
We see this process of the refreshing similar to a manufacturing process. The term process usually encompasses a lot of details, some more intense than others. Glass is run through a process to make jars. It must first be melted, then formed, then cooled, then boxed, then warehoused before shipping. In one simple sentence we covered the process, but there is much more in that process.
Read No. 23, page 22 and note that there are four processes brought to view, the living testimony, the closing work for the church, the sealing time of the 144,000, the slaughtering time of Ezekiel 9, all brought to view in a very few lines.
In the yet future, the processes of “the latter rain; the refreshing from the presence of the Lord; the loud cry of the third angel, will be increased and expanded greatly, “with ten times the power.” See Spalding and Magan, pages 1-4.
Tomorrow we will show more.
God Bless your Study