Necessary and indispensable
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7
“The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man… Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.“ FLB 333.3; TM 506. 2
“While we cherish the blessing of the early rain, we must not, on the other hand, lose sight of the fact that without the latter rain, to fill out the ears and ripen the grain, the harvest will not be ready for the sickle, and the labour of the sower will have been in vain.” FLB 334.3; TM 507,508
“But near the end of earth’s harvest a special bestowal of the spiritual grace is promised, to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of men. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that the Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest “in the time of the latter rain.” In response, “The Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain.” My Life Today 60.5