The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost . As the " former rain " was given , in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel , to cause the upspringing of the precious seed , so the " latter rain " will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest . " 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 ." Hosea 6:3 . " 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 ." Joel 2:23 . " In the last days , saith God , I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh ." " And it shall come to pass , that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved ." Acts 2:17 , 21 .
The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening . The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close . Here are " the times of refreshing " to which the apostle Peter looked forward when he said : " Repent ye therefore , and be converted , that your sins may be blotted out , when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord ; and He shall send Jesus ." Acts 3:19 , 20 . Servants of God , with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration , will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven . By thousands of voices , all over the earth , the warning will be given . Miracles will be wrought , the sick will be healed , and signs and wonders will follow the believers .
Satan also works , with lying wonders , even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men . Revelation 13:13 . Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand . The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God . The arguments have been presented . The seed has been sown , and now it will spring up and bear fruit . The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence , yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience . Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere , the truth is seen in its clearness , and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them . Family connections , church relations , are powerless to stay them now . Truth is more precious than all besides . Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth , a large number take their stand upon the Lord ' s side .
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