← All outlines

Outline 095 of 100 · Joel

Joel's Promise of the Latter Rain

Joel 2:23-32 — The outpouring of the Spirit before the great and terrible day of the Lord

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

After a devastating plague of locusts, Joel calls Judah to genuine repentance — 'rend your heart, and not your garments' — and promises restoration, symbolized agriculturally by the former and latter rain. But the promise expands beyond crops to a spiritual outpouring: 'I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered.' Peter quotes this prophecy at Pentecost as beginning its fulfillment, but its complete fulfillment anticipates a final, greater outpouring of the Spirit — the latter rain — preparing God's people for the closing work of the gospel before 'the great and terrible day of the Lord' arrives. The passage teaches that genuine repentance always precedes genuine revival, and that the same God who sends rain on crops sends His Spirit to ripen a harvest of souls for the final ingathering before Christ's return.

  1. I. Repentance called for

    • "Rend your heart, and not your garments"
    • Turning with fasting, weeping, and mourning
    • The gracious, merciful character of God appealed to

  2. II. The former and latter rain

    • Agricultural restoration promised
    • A picture of spiritual outpouring
    • God's faithfulness to restore what was lost

  3. III. The Spirit poured on all flesh

    • Sons, daughters, old men, young men, servants
    • No barrier of gender, age, or status
    • Prophecy, dreams, and visions given freely

  4. IV. The great and terrible day approaching

    • Signs in the heavens and earth
    • Whosoever calls on the Lord's name delivered
    • Urgency before the final day of the Lord
The appeal

God is calling for genuine heart repentance today so that He may pour out His latter rain before the great day of the Lord. Will you rend your heart, not merely your garments, and prepare for the final outpouring?

Key points

  • Genuine repentance of heart, not mere outward show, precedes true revival.
  • God's Spirit is promised to be poured out on all people without distinction.
  • The latter rain prepares God's people for the great and terrible day of the Lord.

Key passages

  • Joel 2:12-13
  • Joel 2:23
  • Joel 2:28-29
  • Joel 2:31-32