The Sequence of Final Events

1. A Time of Spiritual Decline

Before the latter rain, Ellen White saw the church in a lukewarm, complacent state—symbolized by Laodicea(Revelation 3:14–22).

“The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt…”

— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 217. Paragraph 2

📖 Purpose: This period awakens believers to their need for revival and reformation.

2. The Preparation for the Latter Rain

During this time, faithful believers:

• Seek God earnestly in prayer.
• Put away sin and worldliness.
• Unite in heart and mission.

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.”
— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 214. Paragraph 2

🌿 This is the key: The preparation time determines when the rain can fall.

3. The Latter Rain Falls

Once God’s people are ready, the Holy Spirit is poured out in full measure.

“When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come. Satan can no more hinder a shower of blessing from descending upon God’s people than he can close the windows of heaven that rain cannot come upon the earth.”
— The Review and Herald, March 22, 1887. Paragraph 7 {MYP 133.1}

🔥 Results of the latter rain:

• Deepened holiness among believers.
• Extraordinary power in witnessing.
• The message of salvation spreads rapidly.

This is often referred to as the time of the “loud cry.”

4. The Loud Cry (Revelation 18:1–4)

Under the power of the latter rain, God’s people proclaim the final warning to the world — the third angel’s messagein great strength.

“The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry.”
— Early Writings, p. 277. Paragraph 1

🌎 Effects:

• Multitudes respond to God’s call: “Come out of her, My people.”
• The gospel goes to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people in a short time.

5. The Close of Probation

When every person has made their final decision for or against God, probation closes.
No more intercession; human destiny is fixed.

“When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 490. Paragraph 2

6. The Time of Trouble

After probation closes, the seven last plagues (Revelation 16) fall upon the unrepentant.

“When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 627. Paragraph 3

During this time, the righteous are sealed and protected; they live without a mediator but are sustained by God’s power.

7. The Second Coming of Christ

Finally, Christ appears in glory to deliver His people.

“Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud… It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour… As the living cloud comes still nearer, every eye beholds the Prince of life.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 640. Paragraph 3

🔔 Summary Timeline