Because ancient Israel was an agrarian society, the prosperity of the nation, was totally dependent on rain, of course.
In Israel, there are basically two seasons, winter and summer, although four are mention. It's essentially a sub-tropical climate, but that can vary because of the vast differences in altitude, depending on where you are in Israel. Winter is the rainy season, and the summer is dry and sunny. But there are two rainy seasons iduring the winter. The "former rain" happens in the Fall, the beginning of Winter, usually October and Novemeber. The "latter rain" usually occurred in March and April. The latter rains were eagerly anticipated, because they prepared the land for springtime planting and insured a plentiful harvest season in the Fall. If they didn't come, because of the dry summer, the Fall harvest was not going to be abundant.
The feasts of Israel are divided into Spring and Fall feasts. The Spring Feasts represented the First Coming of the Messiah, then you have the summer dry season, and the Fall feasts represent the Second Coming of the Messiah. The "latter rain" represents the promises of a fruitful Fall season.
This whole concept has been turned into a theological system, that is popular among the modern day "prophetic movement."
Wow! I picked up one little thing on a radio station and come to find out that there is a whole movement out there backing it up. Funny how a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Thanks for the insight, people.
I had not heard of the latter rain movement either, so I couldn't be a part of it. But I was curious as to what these rains were all about, both latter and former.
I like Ex10's info about the Jewish feasts. There may be some kind of symbolism going on here.
The whole subject is a fascinating one to look into. All the feasts of the Israelites were about worship of the one True God, and his requirements for such. And they also were to teach about the coming Messiah, and how He would fulfill God's purposes for all of Mankind, not just Israel. Of course, there is alot of symbolism.
One of the salient points to me is, that God required his people to come to Him on His terms, not their own. He had very specific qualifications for worship. Today, when I look at the Feasts and what God required, I learn so much about who He is, and who His Redeemer is. Jesus Christ is the final sacrifice for sin. Holy cow, or lamb! That truth takes on so much more meaning, after knowing a tad bit about the worship, sacrifice, rules and rituals of the OT.
If the later rain was a baptism that occured on Pentecost, wouldn't it be likely that there is a former rain coming as a baptism in the fall? Would this baptism be different from the latter rain baptism?
ex10, I guess living in a cold climate prevented me of realizing there are winter crops too in some areas. Two harvests in a year are foreign to me.
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cman
Most modern Christian western beliefs will tell of this as a rain.
It takes a spiritual look to see spiritual things.
They cannot be diagnosed on a table with books and your own will.
The Lord himself will open the eyes of the blind and ears of the deaf.
It is not in man to but in the spirit that you will know.
And what woulkd be between these 'rains'?
Certainly one dare not try and figure it out? or should we?
Sure we can look up definitions and texts and history.
What does it mean NOW, would be most satisfying.
For who can cause it to rain on the just and the unjust.
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ex10
Dirty Dozen,
Because ancient Israel was an agrarian society, the prosperity of the nation, was totally dependent on rain, of course.
In Israel, there are basically two seasons, winter and summer, although four are mention. It's essentially a sub-tropical climate, but that can vary because of the vast differences in altitude, depending on where you are in Israel. Winter is the rainy season, and the summer is dry and sunny. But there are two rainy seasons iduring the winter. The "former rain" happens in the Fall, the beginning of Winter, usually October and Novemeber. The "latter rain" usually occurred in March and April. The latter rains were eagerly anticipated, because they prepared the land for springtime planting and insured a plentiful harvest season in the Fall. If they didn't come, because of the dry summer, the Fall harvest was not going to be abundant.
The feasts of Israel are divided into Spring and Fall feasts. The Spring Feasts represented the First Coming of the Messiah, then you have the summer dry season, and the Fall feasts represent the Second Coming of the Messiah. The "latter rain" represents the promises of a fruitful Fall season.
This whole concept has been turned into a theological system, that is popular among the modern day "prophetic movement."
Hope this helps.
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JumpinJive
Well, apparently there is a 'Movement" out there. Is it relevant?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latter_Rain_Movement
-JJ
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DrtyDzn
Wow! I picked up one little thing on a radio station and come to find out that there is a whole movement out there backing it up. Funny how a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Thanks for the insight, people.
Jerry
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cman
whayever that movement is i ain't part of it
nor heard of it
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DrtyDzn
I like Ex10's info about the Jewish feasts. There may be some kind of symbolism going on here.
Jerry
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VeganXTC
I use to be part of the purple rain movement. :)
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Combination
The former rain fell at Pentecost I would suggest, and the latter at the second coming or immediately prior thereto.
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ex10
Jerry,
The whole subject is a fascinating one to look into. All the feasts of the Israelites were about worship of the one True God, and his requirements for such. And they also were to teach about the coming Messiah, and how He would fulfill God's purposes for all of Mankind, not just Israel. Of course, there is alot of symbolism.
One of the salient points to me is, that God required his people to come to Him on His terms, not their own. He had very specific qualifications for worship. Today, when I look at the Feasts and what God required, I learn so much about who He is, and who His Redeemer is. Jesus Christ is the final sacrifice for sin. Holy cow, or lamb! That truth takes on so much more meaning, after knowing a tad bit about the worship, sacrifice, rules and rituals of the OT.
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cman
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DrtyDzn
If the latter rain prepared the soil for summer growing season, what did the former rain prepare for, the coming winter?
Jerry
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ex10
Jerry,
There was also a harvest season in the Spring as well.
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cman
It's about baptism I believe, Jerry.
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DrtyDzn
If the later rain was a baptism that occured on Pentecost, wouldn't it be likely that there is a former rain coming as a baptism in the fall? Would this baptism be different from the latter rain baptism?
ex10, I guess living in a cold climate prevented me of realizing there are winter crops too in some areas. Two harvests in a year are foreign to me.
Jerry
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cman
All that is in the world and history is a figure of what happens personally.
Baptism is not a time line but an individual experience.
Rain is the Word, the Spirit at work within.
Like I said what would be between these rains.
The baptism of fire. As promised.
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DrtyDzn
Jerry
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cman
You say you know that the baptism of fire would be a cleansing.
And you want to know about the harvest?
Before or after ........ the fire?
I have no book on baptism for you.
Christ does though.
To know it, you must experience the vengeance of our God.
Unafraid and a heart that can die and be born in it's heat.
The cool water will lead carry and lift that which is the
manifestation of the sons of God.
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