The Latter Rain and the 1888 Message Was Rejected

Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4 p. 429. “The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here brought to view. The Advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in this country there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be far exceeded by the mighty movement under the loud cry of the third message. The work will be similar to that of the day of Pentecost. Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, hasten from place to place to proclaim the warning from Heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the message will be given. Miracles are wrought, the sick are healed, and signs and wonders follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the inhabitants of the earth are brought to take their stand.”

We must analyze this quote:

1. “The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory.”

This is speaking of the angel of Revelation chapter 18:1-4. His message is also known as the 4th angel’s message. He is the angel that is to give power to the third angel of righteousness by faith.

2. “A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here brought to view.”

The 1888 message is prophesied to reach the whole world with extreme power! This is the work that God has for the Army of Workers. This is the only reason why we are in existence.

3. “The Advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in this country there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be far exceeded by the mighty movement under the loud cry of the third message.”

What happened under the proclamation of the first angel’s message in William Millers time, from 1840-1844 was a super powerful manifestation of the power of God. This power from heaven enabled them to carry the first angel’s message to every part of the world. The whole world was awakened to religious things. A religious awakening hasn’t been seen like this since the reformation of the 16th century with Martin Luther and the other reformers. But according to the pen of Inspiration, these are to be FAR exceeded in glory and power under the mighty movement of the loud cry and latter rain, aka the 1888 message of righteousness by faith.

4. “The work will be similar to that of the day of Pentecost.”

Do you see how the work of the third angel and the angel of Revelation 18, which is the work of righteousness by faith, are linked with Pentecost? Pentecost was the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the early rain and since 1888 is linked with Pentecost, the 1888 message is linked with the latter rain and final outpouring of the Holy Spirit! The 1888 message is Penecostal in its nature!

5. “Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, hasten from place to place to proclaim the warning from Heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the message will be given.”

This is what the Army of Workers are being brought into existence to do. We are to give the 1888 message to the world. No other message are we to be preaching because no other message will bring the latter rain to close up all earthly scenes.

6. “Miracles are wrought, the sick are healed, and signs and wonders follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men.”

During the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we will be working miracles and the sick will be healed. Satan’s corny self with be working with counterfeit miracles too.

7. “Thus the inhabitants of the earth are brought to take their stand.”

Once this message goes to the whole world the inhabitants of planet earth will be placed into two categories; those who receive the seal of God and those who receive the mark of beast. Therefore the message of 1888 determines the close of human probation. It is a life or death message!

“God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions… God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals.” (Testimonies Volume 5 p. 82)

To finish the work God will raise up and exalt people who are taught by the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit than by going to one of these schools of ours. The pioneers were acting self-important and independent of God and the pen of Inspiration said that God will show and manifest that He is not dependent on self-important mortals. In other words, He will show that He’s not dependent on the unfaithful pioneers who rejected His message.

“During the summer of 1885, through the evangelistic efforts of E.P. Daniels, a revival began in Healdsburg, California. Deep heart searching and repentance had brought a wonderful manifestation of the Spirit of God which resulted in love and unity among many members. Some of the older workers J.H. Waggoner and J.N. Loughborough stepped in and put a stop to the meetings branding them as a delusion and fanaticism. When Ellen White who was traveling in Sweden, heard what had happened she sent several letters of warning. The work that had begun at Healdsburg was the very work that every Church needed. Yes, Satan would always send a counterfeit, but unless changes were made while fighting against fanaticism, men would “condemn the work of the latter rain.” (The Return of the Latter Rain p. 60).

Let’s look at this statement:

1. “Deep heart searching and repentance had brought a wonderful manifestation of the Spirit of God which resulted in love and unity among many members.”

If we search our hearts deeply and repent in our time, the Holy Spirit will be brought to us in wonderful manifestations as well. When He comes, love and unity will be the result. And this time we will not reject Him and thus receive the full and final outpouring of the latter rain.

2. “Some of the older workers J.H. Waggoner and J.N. Loughborough stepped in and put a stop to the meetings branding them as a delusion and fanaticism.”

Some of the older workers stepped in and tried to put a stop to the work of the Holy Spirit. Sister White warned them that if they kept moving like this they would put a stop to the latter rain when it comes! She prophesied that if the leading brethren kept moving like this and stopping meetings and calling the movings of the Spirit of God fanaticism, they would reject latter rain when it comes.

“In reference to the revival at healdsburg I am not in harmony with your treatment of this matter. That there were fanatical ones who pressed into that work I would not deny. But if you move in the future as you have done in this matter, you may be assured of one thing, YOU WILL CONDEMN THE WORK OF THE LATTER RAIN WHEN IT SHALL COME. For you will see at that time far greater evidences of fanaticism.” (E.G. White to J.N. Loughborough, J.H. Waggoner, E J. Waggoner, A.T. Jones, Letter 76 , April 1886; in Manuscript Releases Volume 21. pp. 147-149)

She wrote this in 1886, a couple years before the 1888 conference. She foretold the rejection of the latter rain if they kept moving how they were moving. They didn’t change and two years latter THEY REJECTED THE LATTER RAIN and fulfilled the prophecy of sister White!

To reject the 1888 message is to reject the latter rain, because the 1888 message is the latter rain!

Have you accepted the 1888 message? Do you understand that this message is the latter rain? Do you understand that this message brings the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit and closes up all earthly scenes?