IN THE MIDST OF THE TRIALS AND TROUBLES OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS, JAMES GIVES THEM A SWEET PROMISE

• James very bluntly unveils the weakness of the Christians and the wickedness of this old world.
• He recognizes that it will take the coming of the Lord to make things right; reward & retribution.
• Like one used to waiting out the storm, he commands patience as we wait for the coming of the Lord.

James uses a refreshing promise of the latter rain to complete our waiting.

WHAT IS THE LATTER RAIN?

James specializes in illustrations from nature to show the workings of the plan of God.

FROM OF OLD, THERE HAD BEEN TWO PERIODS OF RAIN IN THE PALESTINE AREA, VERY MUCH LIKE OUR VALLEY.

• But 11:14 first told of God's promise to send the early and latter rain when the people obeyed.
• The early rain came at the time to prepare the soil and plant the seed - germinate- March, April, May.
• The latter rain came at the time of harvest - to ripen the grain, full harvest - October, November, December.

THESE BECAME SYMBOLIC TO ISRAEL OF THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH, BUT THEY FAILED TO UNDERSTAND IT.

• Hos 6:3 The Lord shall come as the latter and early rain - Did the prophet himself understand?
• Now that we have the entire Bible, we understand the Lord's coming in two advents - Saviour/Ruler.
• We even recognize that His second coming is in two phases- Rapture of the Church, and Conquest of the world.

BUT THE JEWS TOOK THIS TO MEAN TWO PERIODS OF BLESSING OF THE NATION ISRAEL; REVIVAL, NOT REDEEMER.

• Joel 2:23-32 Warning of the time when God would judge Israel for her sin - long, hot summer - no rain.
• The promise of a return of blessing - Solomon's glory and the time of restoration of that glory.
• Peter preached it in Acts 2:16-21, but he offered a spiritual salvation - not a national glory -

James was there when Peter preached, and it would seem that James adds another application-

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO JAMES?

• In his epistle, James had been describing the hot, dry period of trial of affliction of Christians.

IT IS CERTAIN THAT JAMES APPLIED THE LATTER RAIN TO THE CHURCH, AND NOT TO ISRAEL.

• His call is to the brethren - v.7a, and he relates it to the coming of the Lord - YET TO RETURN.
• So little is explained here; he knew those who read this epistle would be aware of the Promise.
• His message was to those who suffered, that they could endure death and crush of world until it rains.
• The wonderful illustration of nature - the grain of wheat in the ground- growing, trying - the rain.
• All the hard, dry summer of growing would be worth it all when rain brought ripening - perfection.

THE COMMAND GIVEN TO THE CHRISTIAN WAS TO BE PATIENT, AND NOT MURMUR, FOR THE LORD IS NEAR.

• The spiritual refreshing of the completion of our spiritual growth pains will be over - full bloom.
• The agony of the unfair treatment in this world will be over - 9b the Judge at the door.
• Can you hear the echo of the Lord's words - Matt 7:1 - don't judge each other lest you be judged.
• He commanded them to "stablish your hearts" - we must do our best - but II Thess 3:3 - 
• They could stand the planting, the weeding, the being trampled, the dry growing, for He comes!

If the prophets endured - v.10 - and Job had patience - v.11 - surely you may have happy patience!

WHAT DOES THE LATTER RAIN MEAN TO YOU?

We are a long time from the New Testament day our our problems look a lot different - no farmers!

THERE IS AN EARLY RAIN OF BLESSING, AND A LATTER RAIN OF REFRESHING REVIVAL IN OUR LIVES

• When we are saved, we are broken, crushed, and buried - but what a blessing - NEW LIFE, saved!
• After awhile we realize that our growth is through hard soil, hot summer, and little rain.
• But if we are patient, keep on trusting the Lord, there surely comes the second blessing - the latter rain.

AND AS WE LIVE LONGER, WE REALIZE THERE IS A SEASON OF RAIN AND REFRESHING AFTER EVERY SUMMER!

• The human  soul cannot stay under heavy blessing long, or, like the grain, we will rot in the heart!
• Zech 10:1 tells us we are to ask the Lord and He will refresh us - don't fail to ask Him!
• Note Zech 10:2,3 - there are false leaders, false promises, so don't ask wrong way, or an idol!

AS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING DRAWS NIGH, THERE IS A SPECIAL SEASON OF REFRESHING PROMISED!

• I would take this to mean that there is the promise of a great revival before tribulation's heat.
• We cannot know, nor choose the time, the fashion, nor the form His revival takes - nor Satan's tricks.
• But when it comes, I want to be a part of it - ready to catch any drop of His rain that falls.

The ground is prepared by chopping out the weeds, breaking the clods, and then the tender shoots climb upward.

ARE YOU READY IF THE LORD SHOULD GIVE US THIS ONE LAST REVIVAL BEFORE HE COMES TO JUDGE?

• If you are not saved, you had better let Him plow the corners of your heart- broken and planted!
• If are saved, the cultivator must plow under the weeds and keep your heart broken - ready!
• Look into your life for some old clods- pulverize them for Him - Baptism, church membership, tithing, or maybe some job He has laid upon your heart - visitation, work for Him.