Chapter 15

The Pentecostal Latter Rain

Ask ye of the LORD

"Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field." Zechariah 10:1

At the beginning of the 1900s God answered the prayers of the Holiness believers and a mighty influx of the Holy Ghost's power descended from Heaven! This flood has risen until today great showers of blessing are spreading across the continents and it has become evident that we are now living in a special hour of prophetic fulfillment. During the dark ages the earth was forlorn beyond description. God's people were present but most were forced to hide to avoid cretin martyrdom. God has now turned the tide and Bibles are multiplying while the person of the Holy Ghost is filling millions! We are informed that PENTECOSTALISM has "450 million adherents worldwide!" ⁸⁷

Foreign missionaries report that many non-PENTECOSTAL (i.e. Baptists) groups enjoy a full Pentecostal experience! During the past 30 years the continent of South America has ceased to be a Catholic stronghold and has emerged as a haven for Pentecostal Evangelicalism. Billy Graham observed while in Argentina that there is "a revival of some sort or another taking palace every where you look." In the midst of great persecution the young Chinese Church is growing with all vigor! God is doing a remarkable thing and only the unbelieving shall remain empty.

A New Thing?

The early pioneers of PENTECOSTALISM have been explored in many other volumes. The reader may want to do outside study to discover the wealth of documentation connected to the awakening at the beginning of 1900. ⁸⁸ In this book we will not attempt to restate their often told history. We have another message that must be told.

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⁸⁷ Sojourners, September-October 1995. Vol. 24, No. 4.

⁸⁸ The Holiness - Pentecostal Movement in the United States, -- Vinson Synan, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company , Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Our modern Pentecostal revival is not based upon a few receiving at Topicka Kansas or many receiving at Azusa Street. The source of today's PENTECOSTAL revival is Heaven. When it rains no one exclaims, "This was the first drop to fall and that one drop spawned all the rest that followed." No, we all recognize showers are an act of God and when God gives he gives abundantly! No earthly mortal can organize the showers of heaven! (Job 38:28) In the early 1900s Pentecostal showers simultaneously fell in may quarters. Because of that early outpouring a mighty river now flows in the earth.

Remember, the Pentecostal revival of 1900 contained nothing new in the way of spiritual manifestations. God's gifts have been in operation since the day of Pentecost. There are only two elements that set our modern PENTECOSTAL revival apart from past awakenings.

First, TONGUES WERE OFFICIALLY DOCTRINALIZED AS THE INITIAL EVIDENCE of the Holy Ghost baptism. Today's PENTECOSTALS are the first organized group to formally define this truth in agreement with the early Church. (Acts 10:45-56) However, the Holy Ghost baptism was not new and the practice of tongues and other miraculous gifts were quite common though out history. Many individuals spoke in their favor and enjoyed the benefit of the Pentecostal sign.

Secondly, the aforementioned PENTECOSTAL message and Pentecostal baptism are spreading to all nations AS MULTITUDES OF LOST PEOPLE ARE FINDING CHRIST! Until this century only the early church had reached such a wide cross section of humanity with the Gospel. We believe that today's awakening may be a sign of the soon return of Christ. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14) We now look for Christ with great expectancy!

Pentecost at Work!

In the early 1900s the Holy Ghost began to fall in many locations. People set their hearts to seek God and were finding Him in his Glory. We read of Pentecostal revival appearing in Wales, Scotland, India, Los Angeles, South Carolina, North Carolina, and more. Souls were saved, sick bodies were healed, drunks came home to their families, thieves put away their stealing, and the timid became flaming witness for Christ. This was Biblical revival and was certainly initiated by God.

It is interesting to note that when the 1900 PENTECOSTAL awakening first started its adherents believed that world evangelization would quickly be accomplished. Their vision for a lightning fast conclusion was not fulfilled. However, as we view history in perspective and consider the centuries of darkness since Christ, we cannot help but see that today is a very special day. Pentecostal power is now moving to the ends of the earth with unprecedented speed. If the leaders of today's revival remain true to Scripture we may finally realize the great commission. (Mark 16:15-18) If modern PENTECOSTAL leaders fail, the common solder in God's army will nonetheless move forward. How? Christ alone is the captain of this anointed host.

Pentecostal Tongues, Then and Now

The PENTECOSTAL awakening of 1900 was quickly associated with the gift of tongues as experienced in the book of Acts. Believers were expecting and receiving the fruit of their faith as supernatural tongues came upon one seeker after the other. Bilingual individuals repeatedly confirmed that the ecstatic manifestations were actual speech and gave glory to God or called for repentance and reconciliation. Often the foreign observers remarked that not only were the tongues understandable but also, that the accent was totally correct! Some foreigners were lead to Christ as they heard the Gospel through Pentecostal tongues from above. Such confirmation of PENTECOSTAL tongues has repeatedly taken place through out this century.

In today's revival the manifestation of Pentecostal tongues is universal among those that receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Just like on the day of Pentecost we hear people speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Many do not speak in tongues beyond the initial infilling while others continue in their gift and frequently enjoy this heavenly blessing. In either case the gift of tongues is not an end but an entry. Pentecostal tongues are understood to be the least of the spiritual gifts.

Coming into Pentecostal Ministry

After receiving the Holy Spirit the believer moves forward and is empowered by God to be a greater witness for Christ. Thus, in the PENTECOSTAL meeting not only the minister prays for the sick but groups of inspired individuals join in unified prayer and lay hands on sick folks while trusting God for divine healing. All types of needs are similarly ministered to in PENTECOSTAL meetings. Common believers move into their priestly ministry. (Rev. 1:6) Sinners are lovingly lead to Christ, broken hearts are lifted into heavenly places, binding vises are shed like leaves in the fall, and everyone goes away saying, "It has been good to be in the house of the Lord."

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength (Neh. 8:10)

Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable (I Pet. 1:8)

One element that is most indicative of the true PENTECOSTAL meeting is the presence of joy. Who could possibly tell? -- Who has the ability to describe? -- Truly, one of the greatest benefits accrued in the Pentecostal experience is the joy of the Lord. The joy of the Holy Ghost exceeds all pleasure found upon earth. Such joy strengthens the believer to go forward and to hold nothing as dear as Jesus. The joy that the Holy Ghost brings is the joy of "First Love." (Rev. 2:4) Holy Ghost joy amplifies the joy of conversion and brings a sense of assurance that words can never describe. If sinners only knew what they were missing, they would all run to Christ! If the saved but non-PENTECOSTAL believer had any inkling of Pentecostal glory, they would seek until they were filled to overflowing!

Pentecostal Prophecy

Today's PENTECOSTAL revival has brought renewed vigor to the prophetic ministry. Such a ministry has been evident in all revivals of the past. The Reformers were prophets in their generation and through the power of the Holy Ghost spoke God's Word and changed the world! The ministry of innumerable prophets similarly marked the Old Testament. Christ has irrevocably placed the ministry of the prophet within his Church. We dare not contradict the Scripture by rejecting this truth and God's gift.

Prophecy can be described as divinely inspired preaching, warning, foretelling, exhortation, rebuke, encouragement and confirmation of direction. We add very cautiously the word direction because without the proper checks and balances many pretenders are changing a legitimate gift of ministry into something more akin to palmistry. Be Careful! As surly as God has his man the devil always creates an imitation. (II Cor. 11:14) These false prophets are generally proficient in human manipulation and physiology but they know little of the true message of Scripture. Watch out for them, listen to their doctrine and you will quickly discern their origin! (John 7:17, Acts 2:42, Ro. 16:17, Eph. 4:14, I Tim. 4:16)

Nonetheless, the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy (Rev. 19:10) and this Spirit is found in the mouth of God's best servants. In the hour of need the anointed prophet speaks healing and encouragement and more often than not a scripture is recited with fresh power from God's throne. Pentecostal prophecy brings life to the body of Christ as we gather in the meetinghouse. When God moves through an individual and they speak an anointed message many bondages are broken as both our spirits and understanding are lifted.

I have personally received encouragement through prophecy. I was once warned of physical danger but was told not to fear because that "no weapon formed against me would prosper." (Is. 54:17) In a short time I was on the mission field and some enemies (Perhaps communists?) were making moves against the mission station. Screens were torn open and the women were being terrorized. I was assigned to stand watch but in the darkness and terror of many nights I had a promise! The invisible weapons of God were greater than the threats of man. Fear was overcome by faith as I held to Scripture and embraced my prophetic word of assurance. Furthermore, when Satan attacked me with malaria it seemed the end was near. God was not yet through but was only beginning. About two years later I was healed and totally delivered from the recurring attacks. Now, 30 years later the disease has never returned! God's word is true and his promises are sure.

Discernment of Spirits and A Word of Knowledge

Only the very slow of mind deny the existence of evil spirits in the earth. Paul described the presence of evil spirits and the desperate need of sinners to be delivered from Satanic bondage. (2 Timothy 2:26) Jesus frequently cast spirits out of both physically sick and mentally oppressed individuals.

With the advent of the PENTECOSTAL awakening Satan was again put to flight. Now, not only great ministers are mighty warriors for God. Today, armies of Spirit filled believers are moving across the earth. These all have power to throw down the works of Satan and to pray until the gates of Hell are shaken ajar. (Luke 10:19) Thus, Satan's captives are escaping to the cross to find a sure rock of hiding in Christ Jesus. When things look impossible and the devil seems to have the upper hand a little granny rises in prayer to shake the very seat of Lucifer! This is the power of Pentecost!

Many that receive the Holy Ghost have their spiritual eyes opened and their once callused heart sensitized. Thus, sin appears very sinful and the presence of evil is quickly discerned. With such spiritual sight the PENTECOSTAL prays more effectively and Satan is defeated before he affects his evil cause. We know that Satan comes to destroy while Jesus brings life. (John 10:10) Through the discerning of spirits PENTECOSTAL believers are warned of Satan's traps, devises, plans, and assaults. With such spiritual knowledge prayers go out before trouble comes and thus catastrophes are miraculously diverted before they arrive. I have personally known many people that were in mortal danger but a Spirit filled believer at another location was suddenly lead to pray in their behalf. God brought a mighty deliverance and often life threatening circumstances were diverted as Satan's plans were shattered!

Scripture Fulfilled -- Pentecost has Come!

On the day of Pentecost the apostle proclaimed, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel." Today we join Peter's litany and declare, "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:" (Acts 2:16-17) With Jesus we say, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."

A Fresh Outpouring?

Honest students of History cannot miss the recurring cycle of revival that comes every one hundred years. Sense the Reformation it seems that God always does something wonderful on or about the turn of each new century. Therefore, we set our hearts with expectancy looking for God to move ahead in greatness as we meet the year 2000. We know that mighty revival has already begun and will increase in notable measure! The latter rain is now falling. We direct our prayers toward our nation and its sin accepting religious community and earnestly pray for a restoration of Holiness and Holy Ghost baptism. Lord, may it come in our day!

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