Day 108: The End-Time Revival (Bonus Lesson 16)

For the last 5 lessons, we have looked at the signs of the harvest. We have interpreted these signs in SoS 2:11-13 in relation to the birth of the body of Christ and the ongoing harvest. There is however a last great harvest season prophesied in the scriptures and through men of God past and present as inspired by the Spirit of God.

Today, we're looking at the signs of the harvest in light of the final end-time move of God that will usher in the second coming of Jesus.

The early rain as discussed in Lesson 103 when we looked at the first 2 signs of harvest usually came in Autumn (October - November) and the latter came in Spring (March - April). Farmers plowed their land and sowed in the early rain. It is believed that the early rains allow seeds to germinate, but the latter brings maturity and ripening of the harvest.

In spring, grain is harvested first, followed by fruit harvests in summer and fall.

When we consider this, it all makes more sense. Jesus told the disciples in John 4:35 that the fields were white for harvest. That was how ripened grain was described. James 5:7 however says;

Meanwhile, brothers and sisters, we must be patient and filled with expectation as we wait for the appearing of the Lord. Think about the farmer who has to patiently wait for the earth’s harvest as it ripens because of the early and latter rains. (The Passion Translation)

The inception of the church began a new age of the rains of the spirit. We enjoy refreshing times as described in Acts 3:19.

So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from th effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord; (Amplified Classic Version)

Times of refreshing I believe are like rain on a very sunny day. They refer to those seasons when we encounter God anew and are filled with the Spirit afresh. In Acts 4 the disciples amid persecution gathered to pray and the Bible says in verse 31:

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

They had been filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 but the Bible says here that they were filled again. From time to time, personally, in a congregation, or as the universal body of Christ, we experience a filling of the Spirit again in answer to prayer and for a present need. The revivals the church has experienced in the past I believe are examples of times of refreshing for the body of Christ.

In light of this, we can say the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was the early rain and it has not stopped. We're still reaping the grains and will until the Lord of the Harvest comes. But as we near the end of this age, we await the latter rain that will bring full maturation and ripening of the harvest: the fruit of all of God's work on the earth.

Joel 2:23 speaking prophetically about the latter rain said:

Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the Lord your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month.

So the characters of the latter rain, this great move of God are:

1. The early rain: Salvation of souls in larger numbers than the church has ever experienced.
2. The latter rain: the appearance and maturation of the sons of God according to Romans 8:19.

When we look at the universal church today, the signs of the harvest are more evident than ever.

1. The winter is past: many individual Christians, local churches, and regions of the earth are awakening from their seasons of rest. The Asbury Revival is an example. Many men and women are already preparing the way for the Lord's coming as John the Baptist did.
2. The rains are over and gone: the early rain (outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost) has long happened. But as we said earlier, the early rain will not stop rather it will greatly increase till the latter rain comes also and we experience an unprecedented outpouring of the Spirit.
3. Flowers appear on the earth: many men and women are getting saved daily, both in large and small numbers.
4. The time of singing has come: God is raising men and women to lead His church to praise and worship. But not just that, they are admonishing and building up the church. 
5. The voice of the turtledove: the Holy Spirit is speaking, guiding, and leading God's sons and daughters out of their comfort zones to take their place in the harvest and help them fulfill their part.
6. The fig tree puts forth her green figs: never in the history of the church have we had so many ministry gifts laboring for the maturity of the church at once.
7. The vines with tender grapes give a good smell: though the church is not yet perfected in love, we see the body uniting and stepping beyond denominational walls.

The last great revival/harvest is upon us. The voice of the Beloved is calling us to arise and come away into the harvest. Will you heed His voice?

In the next lesson, we will look at the role of every believer in this harvest.

PRAY WITH ME:

Dear Lord of the Harvest, reveal to me my place in the last great revival and harvest that will usher in Your coming. Open my ears to hear Your voice as You call and follow Your Spirit's leading and guidance. Prepare, train, and send me out into the harvest. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:

• Aside from our place in the ongoing harvest of the early rain, every believer has a place in the latter rain. Have you found yours? And are you preparing for and performing your tasks?