And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many [the majority] shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:12)
It is the author's opinion that during the latter-rain witness the greater part of earth's people will make a profession of faith in Christ. Then God will withdraw the anointing in order that Antichrist may run his predestined course. Sin will become so readily available that the majority of those who had made a profession will fall away.
The falling away is necessary in order that the Church may become without spot or wrinkle. Every work of God must be tested with fire.
It is after the period of spiritual darkness that the Lord will return for His glorious Church.
This is the pattern of the promised latter-rain revival and the following tribulation, as we understand it.
During the latter half of the twentieth century there has occurred a number of spiritual activities and movements such as the charismatic renewal, the faith and prosperity emphases, reconstructionism, and lately the "laughing revival." There have been minor phenomena such as leg-lengthening, oil on the hands, and the filling of dental cavities.
These various spiritual expressions sometimes involve hundreds of thousands of people.
The indicators of true revival, as we understand it, are three in number. True revival is characterized by sincere, profound repentance. True revival includes an opening of God's Word so new understanding emerges. True revival generates worldwide evangelism.
The latter-rain revival that is at hand will be marked by genuine, heartfelt repentance and righteous, holy behavior; by an opening of the Scriptures; and by worldwide evangelism.
It is our point of view that we are entering the spiritual fulfillment of the Levitical Blowing of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24). The spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Trumpets is portrayed by the seven trumpets of the Book of Revelation. We believe these trumpets will not be fulfilled in sequence, necessarily, but—as is true of the rest of the Book of Revelation—their fulfillments will take place in a general fashion without reference to specific calendar dates. The works of God often take place on a spiral staircase such that we keep returning to the same kind of fulfillment but at a higher level. Have you found this to be true as you have walked with the Lord?
Keeping in mind that the first six trumpets have not found complete fulfillment as yet, we would like to examine the tenth and eleventh chapters of the Book of Revelation to discover what we should be looking for during the days when the seventh and last angel is about to sound his trumpet. How can we tell when this period is actually occurring? Remember, when the seventh trumpet sounds the saints will be clothed with incorruptible eternal life.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (I Corinthians 15:52)
We think in these two chapters we may discover facts that will enable us to recognize the true latter rain, distinguishing it from lesser spiritual events. We will not present an exhaustive study at this time but point toward highlights, since in other writings we discuss in detail the two witnesses and the ruling Son.
And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: (Revelation 10:1)
Revelation, Chapters Ten and Eleven
This is the seventh angel and he has authority over the latter-rain testimony. He comes down from Heaven, for this revival will not be worked up by human talent, wisdom, or effort.
He is clothed with a cloud, speaking of the coming of the Lord.
The rainbow tells us that this revival will have the full authority of God's throne.
His face as the sun means the latter-rain revival will be characterized by a great emphasis on righteous behavior.
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:43)
His feet as pillars of fire is emphasizing that the last-day revival will bring judgment on all the works of man, beginning with God's elect. Judgment has begun in the house of God!
And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, (Revelation 10:2)
The little book is the Word of God. It is unpretentious, just as Christ was born in a stable. The fact that he has one foot on the sea and one on the earth reveals the control of the planet that will be exercised by the saints during the latter-rain revival. This indeed is a mighty angel!
Notice that the little book is open. It is a day of small beginnings, so to speak.
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet [plumb line] in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth. (Zechariah 4:10)
Blessed are those who are barren now. Blessed are those who remain patient during the small beginnings, who do not despise small things; for they will reign when the larger work of God appears. God is ready to move in our day but we must guard the word of His patience until He does.
And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. (Revelation 10:3)
There is too much sweetness in the Gospel preaching today. We hear of "beautiful Jesus." The writer has been a Christian for over fifty years and does not find the adjective "beautiful" to be realistic. No doubt Jesus is beautiful but He is as tough as steel. Each saint is a cup from which the King drinks, and His cups are burned in the fire (I think Saint Anthony said this).
The Lion of Judah is beginning to roar in our day. Can you hear His growl? Let the demons tremble in terror. Let the thunders utter their voices. Enough of this sweetness! It is like honey on an offering made by fire, and that is forbidden and a sticky mess.
No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire. (Leviticus 2:11)
When people get sweet with their religion there often is the leaven of insincerity in it. Neither leaven nor honey is accepted.
And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. (Revelation 10:4)
"Seven thunders" symbolizes the fullness of God's power. The reason their sayings were sealed is that God is hiding His power.
And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power. (Habakkuk 3:4)
To be continued.
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