The Spirit is preparing all things for the last great harvest.

The prophets — from Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel down to the minor prophets — reveal that in the last days God’s Spirit will once again fall on a prepared people. This event is referred to as the “harvest rain.” It is promised to be greater even than the “former rain,” which was the Spirit’s mighty outpouring at Pentecost.

The former (or first) rain came, watering the newly planted crops. This typifies what happened at Pentecost, when the “first rain” fell in a great outpouring of God’s Spirit. That rain watered the seed of the Word, and it grew and spread to become the worldwide church you see today.

Joel gives a vibrant picture of what it looks like when this harvest rain comes: “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice; for the Lord will do great things. Be not afraid, beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree will bear her fruit, the fig tree and the vine will yield their strength. Be glad then, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain.

“And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God that has dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed” (Joel 2:21–27).

Joel is saying, in effect, “Wake up, Look around you. What you see happening has been prophesied. It is beginning to rain, and the Lord has made the clouds bright and full of water. The Spirit is preparing all things for the last great harvest.”Satan knows about this final rain to come and the glorious harvest that will follow it. The devil knows what is written in God’s Word. And he is determined to hinder the great harvest he knows is coming. He has unleashed a furious attack on the believers of God, using every weapon he can to remove the peace of God’s people. Indeed, many Christians have been overwhelmed by the darkness now covering the earth, all set in motion by the fury of Satan’s activity.

The gloom and fear hovering over every nation has left people feeling helpless. Here in America, courts have made laws that glory in perversions. As the hour approaches, have nothing in your heart to hinder God’s work. He is preparing you to receive His latter rain. Be determined to continue doing just as Scripture instructed: “Be sober. Take everything to prayer. Show mercy to all.” Pray for rain in these last days!

Hold this powerful final image: “Upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe” (Revelation 14:14–15). And you’re living in that time.