Chapter 4:6-7
6 And it shall come to pass in that time, and at that moment, that ye shall call upon the name of the LORD, even upon his goodness, and the LORD shall hear you, and he shall give goodness by an ephah worth an homer, a shekel shall be worth a talent, and it shall cause your hearts to burn, even as ye pull out your hair in anguish over your souls and the souls of your fathers. As a young woman waileth who hath just lost her firstborn at the time of his weaning, so shall ye wail. Lift up thy wounds with thy cry, O Zion, and I shall stretch forth my hand, and I shall bring forgiveness.
7 As I live, saith the LORD, I will not forebear. Thou shalt look up and feel the latter rain as before. As a wineskin that is sliced open shall I pour out my spirit upon Israel. Even as thou art overwhelmed at my graciousness, even more shall I overwhelm thee with my mercy, and thy sons and thy daughters shall come to me, and I shall polish their pockmarked hearts.
In the Book of Jachanan Ben Kathryn, rain is not merely a symbol of physical nourishment but also of divine knowledge. This knowledge has been poured out in two distinct phases: the former rain, which nourished the true followers of Christ before His first coming, and the latter rain, which is being poured out now in preparation for His second coming. This concept echoes biblical passages that speak of rain as a symbol of spiritual revelation, including the prophetic passages in Isaiah.
The Tenfold Increase of Knowledge in Verse 6
Verse 6 of the Book of Jachanan Ben Kathryn speaks powerfully to the abundance of knowledge that will be given to God’s people in the last days. When God’s people call upon Him, He will not only answer their requests for knowledge but will provide a tenfold increase of what they are asking for. This is reflected in the symbolism of the ephah and homer.
- An ephah is a smaller unit of measure, and a homer is ten times larger than an ephah. In verse 6, the metaphor of receiving knowledge by an ephah but being given a homer signifies that God will give His people ten times more knowledge than what they seek. This points to the abundant outpouring of divine revelation that will prepare them spiritually for the challenges and events of the last days.
This tenfold increase of knowledge corresponds to a spiritual awakening, where the faithful will experience a flood of understanding and revelation far beyond what they anticipated.
Realization of Human Nothingness and Need for Repentance
The latter half of verse 6 goes deeper into the spiritual state of God’s people in the last days. As the knowledge from the latter rain is poured out, the people of God will come to a sobering realization of their own nothingness before God. This realization is a call to humility and repentance, where the people see how much they need God’s mercy and grace.
- This acknowledgment of nothingness is a recurring biblical theme, echoed in passages such as Isaiah 64:6, where all human righteousness is described as “filthy rags” in comparison to God’s holiness. This deep understanding of one’s dependence on God brings about a sincere turning of hearts, preparing God’s people spiritually for the return of Christ.
The Role of Kings and Queens of the Gentiles
The mention of kings and queens of the Gentiles (God’s Elect People) in Isaiah 49:22-23 closely aligns with the prophetic vision in the Book of Jachanan Ben Kathryn. These Gentile rulers act as proxy saviors, assisting in the gathering and restoration of the God’s people (His Son’s and Daughters). They serve a crucial role in the last days, helping to guide and nurture God’s people as they prepare for Christ’s second coming.
The kings and queens are depicted as nurturing fathers and mothers, carrying the sons and daughters of Israel on their shoulders. This imagery shows that, although the Gentiles were once outside the covenant, they have received the latter rain of knowledge and are now instrumental in assisting the faithful in their spiritual journey.
Sons and Daughters: A Shared Theme in Isaiah and Jachanan Ben Kathryn
The term “sons and daughters” is significant in both Isaiah 49 and the Book of Jachanan Ben Kathryn. In both cases, these sons and daughters represent God’s people, those who will be gathered and nurtured in preparation for the final redemption. The parallel between these two texts highlights how God’s people—those who have remained faithful to the covenant—are being spiritually prepared and cared for by Gentile kings and queens, acting under divine direction.
In the Book of Jachanan Ben Kathryn, the sons and daughters also come to realize their own nothingness, symbolizing their acknowledgment of their complete dependence on God for knowledge, guidance, and spiritual renewal. This realization is the catalyst for their repentance and the outpouring of the latter rain, which leads them to spiritual maturity and readiness for Christ’s return.
Conclusion
The latter rain, as described in the Book of Jachanan Ben Kathryn, is a profound symbol of the divine knowledge being poured out on God’s people in preparation for the second coming of Christ. When we look at Isaiah’s prophecy of the kings and queens of the Gentiles as proxy saviors, we see a clear connection: the Gentile Elect, having received the latter rain, assist in the gathering and nurturing of God’s people, the sons and daughters of Israel.
As we live in these last days, the call to repentance, humility, and preparation is clear. Those who open their hearts to the latter rain of knowledge will be abundantly blessed, receiving far more than they ask for, and will be prepared for the return of the Lord.
Other Scriptural References:
Deuteronomy 11:14
Joel 2:23
James 5:7
Job 29:23
Jeremiah 5:24
Hosea 6:3