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The Message of the Latter Rain
Posted by: loving4christ | Mon, Feb 19, 2007 7:00 pm | Tag(s): Testimonies | Permalink |
In an article entitled “Christ and Nicodemus” (ST, April 18, 1900), Ellen White wrote:
The brazen serpent was uplifted in the wilderness that those who looked in faith might be made whole. In like manner God sends a restoring, healing message to men, calling upon them to look away from man and earthly things, and place their trust in God. That brazen serpent uplifted in the wilderness was a symbol of Christ. The faith which the believing Israelites exercised as they looked at it, we must exercise as we look to Christ. With the same simplicity sinners must receive the Saviour; for He alone can save from sin. He is our ransom…
Today God has given to men the truth with power. He has opened His Word to those who are searching and praying for light. But when these messengers [my note: is she referring to Jones and Waggoner here?] gave the truth they had received to the people, many were as unbelieving as were some of the Israelites. Today many are caviling over the truth brought to them by humble messengers. How can this message be truth? they question. How is it possible that by looking to Jesus, and believing in His imputed righteousness, I can gain eternal life? Those who have thus refused to see the truth do not realize that it is God with whom they are in controversy, that in refusing the message sent them, they are refusing Christ.
God designs that the message of redemption shall come to His people as the latter rain; for they are fast losing their connection with God…. [my emphasis]
As we search the Scriptures, the character of Christ will appear in its infinite perfection. He is the One in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. He is eternal life to all who will eat His flesh and drink His blood. Those who look to Him may be healed of the serpent’s sting. By beholding Him, we may become changed into the same image. Faith, love, and holiness will grow in the soul. “This is life eternal,” Christ said, “that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” When we realize the value of this knowledge, these glorious truths will glow in our hearts, tremble upon our lips, and pervade our whole being.
She also said, at least as early as 1897, that we are living in the time of the latter rain - so that’s at least 110 years, if not rapidly approaching 120! (See her article “Pray for the Latter Rain,” The Review and Herald, March 2, 1897).
May we all at this late day in earth’s history have an intelligent understanding of, and receive, the message of Christ and His righteousness (which Ellen White appears to be saying is the latter rain!). We are truly living in exciting times!
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3 Responses to “The Message of the Latter Rain”
loving4christ | February 20th, 2007 at 2:17 pmI have been told that the article, “Christ and Nicodemus,” referred to in my post, is an updated version of an earlier manuscript dated May 11, 1899, which has been published in full in The 1888 Materials, as Ms 75, 1899, pp 1687-1692.
jayfusnorma | March 24th, 2007 at 2:14 pmYes Christ lifted up will draw all men. That is our job to behold but the issue with the church is… which Christ? the modern day impostor who had no conflict with sinful flesh like we have? Surely not. But tempted in all ways like us yet without sin. Thanks for your special post.. Cool quotes!!
loving4christ | March 25th, 2007 at 7:44 pmYes - the “true” Christ, the “Word…made flesh,” the same One who overcame every temptation in that flesh, Who was crushed for our iniquities, so that we might receive His overcoming life, “the Obedience of the One” (!!see Romans 5:19 NASB), even His Righteousness. Praise the LORD!
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