It is our point of view that the latter rain began with the Protestant Reformation.

Why talk about the latter rain? Only because it is mentioned in Hosea, Joel, Zechariah, and James. If God finds it necessary to talk about the latter rain maybe we should also. Right?

The former, or planting, rain arrives in Israel the early part of October, following a half year of drought. The planting, or fall rain, makes plowing and planting possible.

Then there are occasional rains throughout the winter.

In March we can look for the spring, or latter rain. The spring rain brings up the wheat to maturity. Then there must be sun for the wheat to be ready to harvest.

Notice the pattern: planting rain, occasional rain, spring rain, and then sun.

This is the pattern of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the Church Age. The planting rain is described in the Book of Acts. Since then there have been various outpourings. As we understand it the first signs of the spring rain occurred in the Protestant Reformation.

Since the Reformation there has been an increase of worldwide evangelism and the understanding of the Scriptures. The spring rain will increase in intensity until the fullness has been attained. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God will be preached to every nation for a witness, and then the end of the Church Age as we know it will be at hand.

The power for witnessing will be withdrawn so Antichrist may have full expression in the major cities of the earth. Then the hot sun of persecution will separate the true saints from the babylonish structures. The remnant will be hidden away under the hand of God, being made perfect, prepared for their translation at the coming of Jesus.

Planting rain, occasional rain, harvest rain, and then sun. This, I believe, is what we can look forward to.

As we look through Revelation for the latter-rain revival our eyes fall on the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation.

We notice at the end of the tenth chapter that John is commissioned to prophesy again to all the nations. This is the commission, the Great Commission, which will be fulfilled so gloriously in the last days.

As we enter the eleventh chapter we notice the very necessary preliminary step. The saints who will bear the double portion of the Spirit assigned to the last-day revival must be judged. Those who are before the altar must be measured.

There is great significance associated with the measuring, the judging that takes place at this altar. The altar in question is the Altar of Incense.

The Church has been at Pentecost since the turn of the century. Now it is time to press forward. When we leave the Lampstand of the Tabernacle we come to the Altar of Incense. The Lampstand represents Pentecost. When we move past Pentecost we come to the Altar of Incense.

The Charismatic movement stands today facing the Altar of Incense. If you would go forward with God you must go toward the Altar of Incense.

To be continued.