THE GREAT OUTPOURING IS COMING!!

Joel 2:28-32 (NKJV)

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; 29 and also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls.”

A GREAT OUTPOURING IS COMING UPON THE EARTH

The prophecy in Joel 2:28-32 speaks of an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will occur in the “last days.” This momentous event began its first fulfillment at Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:17-21, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples in Jerusalem. However, this event was only the “Former Rain,” a foretaste of a more abundant and powerful outpouring that is still to come.

In this passage, Joel foretells a divine outpouring that transcends age, gender, and social status: “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh…” (Joel 2:28). This is a universal promise, emphasizing the inclusivity of God’s grace. The prophet’s words were radical for their time, as they declared that the Holy Spirit would not just rest upon the priests or the prophets, but upon all believers. The fulfillment of this prophecy in Acts 2 was just the beginning, but it will find its ultimate fulfillment in the final days before Christ’s return.

THE FORMER AND LATTER RAIN

The biblical concept of the “Former Rain” and “Latter Rain” draws from agricultural imagery. In the ancient Near East, the “Former Rain” was the rain that fell in the fall, preparing the ground for planting, while the “Latter Rain” came in the spring, preparing the crops for harvest. These rains were essential for a bountiful harvest, and God uses this imagery to speak of spiritual seasons of revival.

Joel 2:23 (NKJV)

“Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you—the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.”

The “Former Rain” occurred at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit first descended upon the Church (Acts 2). However, the prophecy also speaks of the “Latter Rain,” which began to manifest in a significant way in the early 20th century, most notably during the Azusa Street Revival in 1906. This was a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit that led to the widespread Pentecostal movement, bringing signs and wonders, speaking in tongues, and healing ministries to the forefront.

The “Latter Rain” is not only a past event but continues to manifest in the Church today. We are living in the season of the “Latter Rain,” which will culminate in the greatest revival the world has ever seen before Christ’s return. This will be a time of extraordinary signs, wonders, and miracles—an outpouring of God’s Spirit unlike anything in history.

THE FINAL GREAT OUTPOURING

Joel’s prophecy points toward a great and awesome day of the Lord (Joel 2:31), a time when the earth will experience supernatural upheaval, including cosmic signs like the sun turning to darkness and the moon to blood. These events, though yet to occur in full, point to the final days leading to Christ’s return.

The apostle Peter, in Acts 2:19-20, referenced these signs as part of the larger outpouring of the Spirit that began at Pentecost, but he also indicated that these signs are part of a future fulfillment. Jesus Himself spoke about these cosmic disturbances in Matthew 24:29 (NKJV), just before His return:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

These signs will be a precursor to the final harvest of souls—a massive revival that will take place just before the Day of Judgment. The Church will be empowered to bring in a great multitude, but it will also be a time of shaking for the world, as God’s judgment will be poured out upon the earth.

THE SEAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

One of the theological implications of this great outpouring is the role of the Holy Spirit in sealing believers for the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit serves as both a guide and a guarantee of the inheritance that awaits those who are in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) makes this clear:

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

This “seal” of the Holy Spirit is what will mark God’s people as His own in the coming outpouring. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit will be empowered to proclaim the gospel, heal the sick, and prophesy in the final days, as the Spirit moves in an unprecedented way.

THE CALL TO REPENTANCE

In Joel’s prophecy, the promise of the outpouring of the Spirit is also linked to a call to repentance and a promise of deliverance. Joel 2:12-13 (NKJV) calls the people to return to God with sincere hearts, fasting, weeping, and mourning. This was a call to spiritual renewal, which would precede the outpouring of God’s blessings.

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.”

Before the final outpouring, the Church must be in a state of purity and readiness, as Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV) illustrates through the parable of the ten virgins. Only those who are prepared, filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit, will be ready for the coming of the bridegroom (Christ). The foolish virgins, who neglected to prepare, were left behind when the bridegroom came. Similarly, the world will be divided between those who receive the outpouring of God’s Spirit and those who reject it.

THE RAPTURE AND THE FINAL HARVEST

The coming outpouring of the Holy Spirit will coincide with the final harvest of souls. The Church will experience a mighty revival as part of the preparation for the rapture of the saints. In Matthew 24:14 (NKJV), Jesus says:

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

This final outpouring will be a supernatural event, spreading the gospel message to every corner of the earth, fulfilling Christ’s command and ushering in His return.

THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM REVEALED

God will also reveal mysteries during this great outpouring. The Seven Thunders in Revelation 10:4 (NKJV) represent secrets that will be disclosed in the final days before Christ’s return. These hidden mysteries will be unveiled through prophets, evangelists, and believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus revealed deep truths to His disciples through parables and teachings, so will the Church in the last days be given divine insight into God’s ultimate plans for the world.

Revelation 10:7 (NKJV) says:

“But in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.”

This is the time when the final mysteries of God will be revealed, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will be key in understanding and participating in the divine plan for the earth.

THE WARNING TO THE CHURCH LEADERS

In the final days, many church leaders will be tempted to reject the new moves of the Holy Spirit, just as the Pharisees rejected the works of Jesus. The same danger lies ahead for those who are not spiritually discerning. The outpouring of the Spirit may bring new manifestations of God’s power that may seem unfamiliar, but those who are led by the Spirit will recognize it as the work of God.

Matthew 24:24 (NKJV) warns of false prophets and false signs in the last days: