Message of the Latter Rain - Kelvin M. Duncan

Ellen White's warning words spoken to the delegates at Minneapolis are
still full of meaning today: "God will withdraw His Spirit unless His truth is
accepted."[20] The reception of the Spirit in latter rain proportions is
inseparably linked with the truth which began to be proclaimed in 1888. The
specific truths embodied in the message which was recognized by inspiration
as the "loud cry" are inseparably linked with the "latter rain." We cannot
have one without accepting the other, fasting and prayer notwithstanding. To
seek the latter rain apart from seeking to understand that "most precious
message" which had its "first clear" public presentation at Minneapolis is
futile. The greatest need of the church is to truly receive both. A revival of
true godliness cannot come to us apart from the gift of the Spirit, and the
Spirit will not be poured out in latter rain proportions while "His truth" is not
accepted.
The Return of the Latter Rain
For many centuries, the Jews have been praying to God, asking Him to
send the long-expected Messiah. They pray in vain. God will not-- indeed,
He cannot--give them another Messiah. They must accept the One He has
sent. Likewise, Seventh-day Adventists have been praying for many decades
that God would send the long-expected outpouring of the latter rain, which is
to produce the loud cry. Apart from genuine repentance and a willingness to
receive the truth into which the Holy Spirit desires to guide us, we also pray
in vain. God will not give us another latter rain or another message. We must
accept that which God "in His great mercy" has already sent. The problem is
not that God has been negligent in providing. "The Spirit awaits our demand
and reception."[21]
What will we do? Will we study with the objective of understanding that
"most precious message" which was sent more than a century ago? Will we
receive it and receive the Holy Spirit with it, in a special measure? Will we
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