reply to post by NOTurTypical
Okay, then you tell me what your interpretation of what the teachings about the "early and latter rains" is.
Show me with scripture where my 'interpretation' of scripture is wrong.
I (briefly) read through your link to the "latter-rain". It is a long article and I don't want to bore everyone with my commentary on it.
My problem with the "latter-rain movement" is that they do not address
2 Thess. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a
falling away (APOSTASY!) first, and that man
of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
APOSTASY comes BEFORE the END.
I don't believe the gifts of the Spirit have ended, and IN this belief, I am joined by BOTH the Roman Catholic Church and Pentecostals.
Neither do I deny a "latter-rain" (outpouring of the Spirit upon ALL flesh.)
I DO, however, deny an "end-time revival". 2 Thess 2:3 says otherwise, for it says a "falling away...FIRST!"
Furthermore, there is nothing in Scripture, that I can find, that "limits" this "latter rain" to ONLY the Saints.
This is a HUGE gaping hole that the "latter-rain movement" has failed to address. If they were to make the error of stating that God would NEVER
allow "Apostates" or "the UNsaved" to be allowed to do any miracles, then they are going to need to explain (away) how Judas was able to have the
SAME POWER given to him.
Matt 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave
them (ALL 12!) power against unclean spirits, to cast them out,
and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
They are also going to have to explain (away) what Jesus said in Matt 24 (while making a prophecy about the END):
Matt 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and
shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it
were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
The "latter-rain movement" seems to think that God authorized the "latter-rain"
only to fall upon the "wheat" to make it ready for
harvest. God makes no such promise, that I'm aware of. In fact, it seems Jesus said something different:
Matt 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares,
and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
BECAUSE the "latter-rain movement" (by definition) presumes a "latter-rain" BEFORE the "harvest", it is clear this "latter-rain" will fall on
all of the field.
Not
just the WHEAT, but the TARES, also.
Another proof verse:
Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth
rain on the just and on the unjust.
And another:
It appears that EVEN the "revolting" and "rebellious" in Jer 5:23-24 NOTE the early and latter rain but REFUSE to say in their heart: "let us now
fear the Lord our God,":
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.
And still another:
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance?
AND THEN...in the END...
they will say:
Matt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done
many wonderful works?
...and JESUS will say:
Matt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
