The Final Reformation (The Latter Rain)
God will not end the work on earth with less power than that with which He started it. Under the symbols of the former and latter rain, God had promised showers of blessing that would bring the harvest to ripening. As God’s power was manifested at Pentecost when the fledgling church was empowered to take the gospel to the world, so God’s power will be manifested when the church completes its witness. The symbols of the early and the latter rain (Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23,28-32; Acts 2:16-21) represent not only the outpouring of the Spirit on the church, but also on the individuals that constitute the church. Each individual must also have a former and latter rain experience. The former rain represents the rebirth whilst the latter rain is to bring the character in line with the character of Christ. They also refer to justification and sanctification or “us in Christ” and “Christ in us”. (John 14:20)
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 NKJV
At the end of time, God will have a people that will represent Him and His truth before an apostate world. As in the days of the disciples, the truth will be triumphant - the latter rain will do its work to bring God’s harvest to fruition.
Time of the End
The time of the end is not to be confused with the end of time. The phrase “time of the end” is used five times in Daniel chapters 8-12 and refers to a time before the second coming of Christ. There would also be a definite appointed time when that time should arise. (Daniel 11:35) In Daniel 7:25, the prophet refers to the 1260-year period of papal dominance, and in Daniel 12:6,7, the same period (time, times and half a time) is mentioned with regard to the time of the end. With the completion of the 1260-year period of papal dominion in 1798, commences the time of the end. The great truths concerning the ministry of Christ had been trampled on during the period of papal dominance, (Daniel 8:11) but these truths were to be restored.
The prophet Daniel himself did not understand the vision of the cleansing of the sanctuary (Daniel 8) at the end of the 2300-day period, nor did he fully comprehend the events that would unfold during the time of the end. The reason for this is that the prophecy was sealed unto the time of the end. (Daniel 8:17,26; 12:9)
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Daniel 12:4
In the Hebrew, the definite article is given with the word “knowledge”, which indicates that knowledge of the book of Daniel itself will be increased at the time of the end. It is noteworthy that only the wise and none of the wicked will be lead to an understanding of these prophecies. The wise would also lead many to righteousness. (Daniel 12:3)
Wisdom in a biblical sense comes from a relationship with God that is built on trust and obedience, and cannot be compared with worldly wisdom. In Psalm 119, we read:
Thou, through Thy commandments, hast made me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Thy testimonies are my meditation. Psalm 119: 98,99
Wisdom is associated with the law of God and the word of God. Understanding comes from obedience to God’s law (Psalm 119:100,104) and to the testimony, the Word of God revealed through the prophets of all ages (Psalm 119:125, 130, 144). If truth was to be restored, then knowledge and understanding of the Biblical concept of truth is essential.
Three definitions of truth are given in the Scriptures:
...I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me. John 14:6
Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy word is truth. John 17:17
Thy word is very pure; therefore Thy servant loveth it. Psalm 119:140
Thou art near, O Lord, and all Thy commandments are truth. Psalm 119:151
Truth restored contains all these elements. It is Christ centered, it is word-based, and it involves obedience to the law of God. As Jesus Himself pointed out:
If ye love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15
At the time of the end, there would thus be a movement to restore all things and to unveil the sealed prophecies of the book of Daniel. History confirms that a great resurgence of interest in the Scriptures, accompanied by missionary zeal commenced around the year 1798. In 1795, the London Missionary Society was organized, followed a year later by the New York Missionary Society, the first in America. The great Bible societies of the world were also formed in the period between 1798 and 1844, which is the close of the 2300-year prophecy. Associated with this resurgence of interest, numerous health and temperance societies were formed, and by 1807 William Metcalf had even founded the vegetarian and teetotaler “Society of Bible Christians of Philadelphia”. It is noteworthy that this time period is also associated with the great technological advances of our age.
The first steam engine was patented in 1769, and this opened the way for steamboats (1810-1807) and the railroads (1825). The gospel was to be spread to “all the world” and God saw to it that the means to achieve this end would also be available. In the world of music, the great Biblical themes were a prominent source of inspiration with Handel’s “Messiah” focusing attention on the King of kings and Haydn composing the “Creation” in 1844.