The Holy Spirit pictured as
rain…
“Singing in the
rain!”
Review
• Ruach – the breath of God (wind)
• Water – River of Life
• Water - Rain
Rain!
• Played in the rain?
• Magical
• Warm
• Refreshing
• Clean
• Exciting…
Noah (Gen 6-9)
6:5, “The Lord saw …
every inclination of
the thoughts of the
human heart was
only evil…”
6:8, “Noah found grace
in the eyes of the Lord.”
7: 4, “I will send
rain…”
7:24, 115 days flooded
8:1, “the wind (Ruach)
blew …
Autumn and Spring Rains
Autumn Rains:
• October, November, and early
December
• Softens the ground, prepares it
for the seed
• Planting, rooting, and growing
Spring Rains:
• March and April
• Just before harvest
• Strengthens the crop
• Brings maturity of crop
Let’s look at the Word…
• Jeremiah 3: 3, “Spring rains have failed. For you are a brazen (openly
prideful) prostitute and completely shameless.”
• Hosea 6: 3, “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to
acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will come to us like
the winter (latter or Autumn) rains, like the spring rains that water the
earth.”
• Zechariah 10: 1, “Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord
who sends thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and
plants of the field to everyone.”
Joel 2: 23, 28, & 29 (quoted in Acts 2)
“Be glad people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has
given you autumn rain because He is faithful. He sends you
abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains as before…
And afterwards, I will pour out (rain) My Spirit on all people. Your
sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions. Even on My servants, both
men and women, I will pour out My Spirit.”
Acts 2
Modern Time Revivals:
• Azusa Street Revival – 1906 to 1915; William Seymour; Los Angeles, CA
• Latter (Autumn) Rain Movement – 1947 to 1949; George Hawtin and
Percy Hunt; New Battleford, Sask., Canada. Frustrated with the quieting
of the Azusa Street Revival, emphasized the Charismatic gifts and
healings. Created the “Joel’s Army” = concept of God’s holy men
(preachers/prophets) used to refocus on healings and Charismatic gifts)
to bring the 2
nd
Coming of Jesus. This was rejected by many churches
and labeled “heresy”.
What we know and understand:
• In the last days, shortly before we are ‘caught-up’ (raptured),
there will be a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit – the
final Autumn rain that will turn many people around the
world to Christ.
• Could we be seeing some of that happening today?
Asbury University in Kentucky –
since Feb 8
th
still going…
Lee University in Cleveland, TN –
since Feb 12
th
still going…
Now over 14 Universities spread…
What is the Lord doing through the Holy Spirit?
Remember:
The rain is to purify – call us to repentance
To refresh – bring healing to our souls
To cause maturity – (Eph 4) that we will grow to the fullness of Jesus
No time to ‘play church’; look at the world events: wars, talk of more
wars, famine, sickness, etc…’pains of childbirth’
And now the raining of the Holy Spirit to those who seek Him…
Are we experiencing the final latter rain?
I don’t know…but I want to be prepared!