After the Rain

'And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions' (Joel 2:28).

The promise of Joel 2:28 began to be fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, and it was continued in the converting grace and miraculous gifts conferred on both Jews and Gentiles (Matthew Henry). Taking a close look at Joel’s prophecy, it is clear that after the rains or the massive outpouring of God’s spirit things change. The converting grace and the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit are the results of the rain. The outpouring of God’s spirit at the upper room transformed the disciples and caused them to do the extraordinary. Peter, who was on the run, was now boldly declaring Christ and over 3,000 people got saved after he preached a single message, not forgetting the great manifestation of spiritual gifts (Acts 2:41). Now peoples’ shadows were not scaring Peter anymore, rather his shadow was scaring demonic spirits and casting them away. The fruit of the spirit, Love, Joy, peace, longsuffering etc., were also evident in the church (Gal 5:22-23).

Acts 4:33-35 paints a clear picture about the aftermath of the rain, ‘Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need’. Acts 4:33-35 is a true litmus test of a revival. There may be the ‘Ananias and Sapphiras’ in the Church, but those bad nuts are in the minority during a true revival. Two words that can summarize the aftermath of the rains are the power and love of God.

A few centuries ago people like John Alexander Dowie prayed for and experienced the Revival of God. ‘Born May 25, 1847, in Edinburgh, Scotland, John Alexander Dowie shook the world at the turn of the century with his passion for truth and zeal for the work of the Spirit. He brought to the forefront divine healing and repentance by shaking up a complacent Church and slaking the thirst of a parched society. He is known as the Healing Apostle of the late 19th century. Untold millions came to a revelation of Christ and the living power of the Holy Spirit through his deep conviction, unwavering faith and expansive vision. Against hypocritical, opposing clergy, fierce slanderous tabloids, murderous mobs, and relentless city officials, Dr. Dowie wore his apostolic calling as a crown from God, and his persecution as a badge of honor. Dowie was a force to be reckoned with’ (God’s generals).

As a church we are at risk of obliterating our significance if we neglect the works of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, anything built will be a mere social organization, falling short of God’s spiritual standard, no matter how good the packaging is. It is time for the church in this century to do away with all complacency and be hungry for the latter rains, a true revival that will bring in a harvest of souls. No matter your race, age or gender you can be used by God in this latter rains, ‘For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him’ (2 Chron 16:9).