12.5 The Loud Cry
The Final Proclamation of the Gospel

Read Revelation 18:1–4; Habakkuk 2:14; and Matthew 24:14. How is God’s work on earth said to be completed according to these verses?

In Revelation, the angel announces the fall of Babylon and proclaims the glory of God in a way that illuminates the whole earth. This angel represents human messengers commissioned by the divine power and authority of Christ to proclaim the gospel. Similar to the disciples in New Testament times, to whom Christ had given authority over the powers of hell, the messengers of the end times will, with the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, illuminate the whole world with the glory of God.

The Greek word “exousia” in the New Testament often refers to Christ’s triumph over the powers and authorities of hell. In Matthew 10:1, Jesus gives his disciples authority over these powers. In Matthew 28:18, He sends them out again with “all authority in heaven and on earth.” Just as the New Testament church proclaimed the gospel in a few years, the end-time church, filled with the Holy Spirit, will proclaim the gospel with unprecedented power.

In the end times, the Holy Spirit will be poured out with unprecedented power, and the gospel will spread rapidly to the ends of the earth. Thousands will convert in a day, and God’s grace and truth will impact the entire planet. In this way, the world will be warned, and the gospel and the hope it offers will be spread worldwide.

The prophet Hosea says: “Let us strive to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6:3). This shows that God’s work on earth will be completed through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The early rain, which causes the seed to sprout, symbolizes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the apostolic age, while the latter rain, which ripens the harvest, points to the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the end of days to prepare the harvest of souls.

Overall, the great work of proclaiming the gospel will conclude with no less unfolding of God’s power than at its beginning. The prophecies fulfilled at the outpouring of the early rain will be fulfilled in the same way at the outpouring of the latter rain at the end. God’s servants, with faces shining with holy dedication, will hurry from place to place to proclaim the heavenly message. Thousands of voices will spread the warning across the entire earth, and miracles will happen, the sick will be healed, signs and wonders will follow the believers.

What holds back the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the latter rain, and the loud cry? However small our role as individuals may seem, what role can we play to be open and receptive to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?

The powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the latter rain, and the loud cry may be hindered by obstacles such as sin, indifference, worldly distractions, and lack of prayer. Our own weaknesses, doubts, and tendency to be overwhelmed by life’s challenges can also contribute to delaying this outpouring. Yet, despite these hindrances, as individuals, we can play an important role in being open and receptive to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

By:

1. Prayer: By giving priority to prayer and remaining in constant communication with God, we prepare our minds and hearts to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

2. Repentance and Cleansing: We should constantly examine ourselves to recognize and confess sin. By cleansing our lives and turning away from things that separate us from God, we open ourselves to the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit.

3. Bible Study and Meditation: Through regular study of the Bible and meditation on God’s Word, we can sharpen our spiritual perception and delve deeper into God’s plan. This enables us to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit more clearly.

4. Faith and Expectation: A spirit of faith and expectation allows us to be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit. By firmly trusting that God will do His work and actively striving to do His will, we pave the way for a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

5. Fellowship with Fellow Believers: By engaging in a supportive and encouraging Christian community, we can strengthen each other in faith and be prepared together for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

6. Service and Evangelism: When we actively seek to spread the gospel and tell others about God’s love, we open ourselves to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the world around us.

While our role as individuals may seem small, through our dedication, prayer, and faith, we can help overcome the obstacles that hinder the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. By willingly making our contribution and preparing ourselves for the work of the Holy Spirit, we can be part of a larger divine plan aimed at renewing the world and spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

The connection between these prophetic events and our everyday lives lies in the readiness for repentance, dedication to God’s work, and active participation in spreading the gospel. We can overcome the obstacles to the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the latter rain, and the loud cry by devoting ourselves to prayer, aligning our lives with the will of God, studying the Scriptures, strengthening our faith, and actively engaging in service and evangelism. Despite our individual weaknesses and limited abilities, through our dedication, faith, and willingness, we can contribute to the completion of God’s work on earth.

By prioritizing our prayer, purifying our hearts, and living in anticipation of the Holy Spirit’s work, we prepare the way for God’s powerful outpouring on earth.

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