On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38)
When I say that for years in response to God’s promise we have gathered during the Feast of Tabernacles to receive what He promised to do during this Feast, which is the double outpouring of His Spirit – the former and the latter rain in one swoop – what do we visualize to happen when this occurs?
To answer this we must first ascertain what happened and what were the results of the first or former rain poured out in Jerusalem on the very day of Pentecost (as the former and latter rains will be poured out during the Feast of Tabernacles!)
There are according to the account we find in the Acts of the Apostles five aspects worthy of noticing:
I. It first came upon them like a mighty rushing wind, which filled the place where they were gathered.
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:1-2)
Just as the Lord describes by way of the prophet Ezekiel the Holy Spirit coming as a Wind upon Israel.
Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ‘ ” (Ezekiel 37:9)
II. It resulted in them receiving the heavenly gift of tongues – a foretaste of the other gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:3-4)
How wonderful in prospect: No more translation devices will be needed!
III. Through this gifting they were able to communicate God’s Rhema Word to those waiting outside, EACH HEARING THE MESSAGE IN THEIR OWN TONGUE AND LANGUAGE!
And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs–we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:6-11)
IV. They were able to deliver the Word of God with power and conviction resulting as seen in many revivals in deep repentance towards the Lord, leading men and women to saving faith in the Lord.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:36-39)
V. Mighty signs and wonders flowed from them – they sometimes did not even need to pray for hours for a person to receive God’s healing touch. Peter’s shadow was enough to heal the sick as was the hem of his Lord’s garment to bring healing.
And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. (Acts 5:12-16)
They healed the sick – that is something else than just praying for the sick. The hapless lame man at the gate beautiful wasn’t prayed for by John and Peter – he was healed on their command because they had received the power from the Lord by His Spirit “to heal the sick.”
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6)
If these then are some of the amazing heartwarming results of just the former – Pentecost – rain, what can we not expect – as Jesus already said and promised – what greater works will be the result of this renewed double outpouring of the Holy Spirit during a coming Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. So what at time and place to come to during this coming Feast of Tabernacles in 2015!!!
Jan Willem van der Hoeven, Director
International Christian Zionist Center
