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The Former Rain Of The Holy Spirit

by Wes Guy

A Bible Study, by Wes Guy

 
References to Rain

The source of the promised rain.

Jer 5:24  Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

The promise and meaning of the coming rain.

Joel 2:23  Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

Joel 2:28-29  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:   And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

More on the source of the blessing.

Hosea 6:3  Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

The early rains came in the autumn, whilst the latter rains fell in the spring; that is October/November and March/April respectively.

 
Conditions for Receiving the "Former Rain"

Commitment and conformity.

Deu 11:13-14  And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,  That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

Repentance and renewal.

Hosea 6:1-3  Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. {2} After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. {3} Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

 
The Former Rain Experience.

Jesus infers the former rain outpouring.

John 7:37-39  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. {38} He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. {39} But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

Early church members prepare for and receive the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 2:16-18  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; {17} And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: {18} And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

They waited expectantly, prayed earnestly, repented sincerely to God, made things right with each other, and fellowshipped.

 
Why was the Holy Spirit given at this time?

To fulfil the promise made.  

Luke 24:49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

To indicate Heavens acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice in their behalf.  

Acts 2:33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

To strengthen them to live as Christians. 

Acts 1:5  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

To empower them to witness. 

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 
A Forerunner of things to come.

The Old Testament texts we read associated in the promises both the former and latter rain outpourings.

When conditions are met, and the time is right, then the assured blessings will come.

You could be sure that if the former rain had not fallen, the latter rain wouldn't come either.

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