Through the experience of the
apostles, God has outlined what He
expects from us as we anticipate the
outpouring of the latter rain. The steps
they followed in preparing for the early
rain are the steps we need to take now
to be prepared for the power that will
finish the work. Understanding that
they made up the corporate body of
Christ, the apostles bound themselves
together and, through God’s power,
were of one accord.
What was the result? On the Day
of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was given
to them. Boldly they preached Jesus as
the Messiah and His resurrection. Three
thousand responded to the invitation
of salvation. After the healing of the
crippled man at the gate of the temple
and Peter’s discourse to the multitude
of worshipers who were eyewitnesses
of the miracle, 5,000 believed (Acts
4:4). As the Holy Spirit further opened
opportunities for the apostles to witness,
“believers were increasingly added to
the Lord, multitudes of both men and
women” (Acts 5:14). So “the word
of God spread, and the number of the
disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem,
and a great many of the priests were
obedient of the faith” (Acts 6:7).
Acts presents to us a picture of a
church that was on fire for Christ. The
Spirit removed all fear and replaced it
with a burning desire to proclaim the
risen Messiah.
Under the power of the latter rain,
what can we expect? A repeat of what
is recorded in Acts—God’s remnant
taking the initiative in tearing down
the strongholds of Satan. Seventh-day
Adventists call it “the great
controversy.” Ellen White does not
hesitate to call it for what it really is.
“Our work is an aggressive one, and as
faithful soldiers of Jesus, we must bear
the blood-stained banner into the very
strongholds of the enemy. ‘We wrestle
not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high
places.’ If we will consent to lay down
our arms, to lower the blood-stained
banner, to become the captives and
servants of Satan, we may be released
from the conflict and the suffering. But
this peace will be gained only at the loss
of Christ and heaven. We cannot accept
peace on such conditions. Let it be war,
war, to the end of earth’s history, rather
than peace through apostasy and sin.”*
We have only two choices, (1) lie
low, do not disturb the devil, keep things
religiously neutral or “peaceful,” and
lose heaven, or (2) continue to pray for
the latter rain, receive the power of the
Spirit, carry out the mission given to the
remnant church in the great controversy,
and welcome our Savior at His return.
The second choice will become reality
and will be the heaven-ordained result
of revival and reformation through the
Holy Spirit’s power.
- Ted N. C. Wilson serves as president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.
www.revivalandreformation.org
*Review and Herald, May 8, 1888
