I have heard the words former rain and latter rain used in verious discussions, therefore, I thought I would see what the Bible has to say about it.

Here is one text that I came across:

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Hosea 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Joel 2:23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

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What is the latter and former rain referring to in the above verses?

By the way, as far as I can tell, those are the only two verses in the Bible where those words have been used. If anybody can find any others, please let us know here.

I found these (or, rather, the computer did):

Deuteronomy 11:14
"That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil."

Jeremiah 5:24
"Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in His season: He reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest."

James 5:7
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."

And also these, which mention the latter rain only:

Job 29:23
"And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain."

Proverbs 16:15
"In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain."

Jeremiah 3:3
"Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed."

Zechariah 10:1
"Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field."

From everything I've ever read, the former rain represents the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, Acts chapter 2. And the latter rain represents the yet-future outpouring of the Spirit upon God's church before the Lord's Second Coming. The latter rain is to be more abundant than the former rain was. (That's how the actual literal former and latter rains are in Israel too.)

From the 1858GC, chapter 32 "The Shaking"

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I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth in great power. It had effect. I saw those who had been bound; some wives had been bound by their husbands, and some children had been bound by their parents. The honest who had been held or prevented from hearing the truth, now eagerly laid hold of the truth spoken. All fear of their relatives was gone. The truth alone was exalted to them. It was dearer and more precious than life. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, It is the latter rain ; the refreshing from the presence of the Lord; the loud cry of the third angel.

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Also in the same book chapter 35 "The Third Message Closed"

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I was pointed down to the time when the third angel's message was closing. The power of God had rested upon his people. They had accomplished their work, and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain , or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of earth, who would not receive the message.

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Interesting that in Noah's day the rain was to be feared, but at the end-time it is to be what refreshes us (spiritually of course).

The latter rain IS the refreshing, IS the loud cry. What time of the year did the latter rain fall in Israel? I always thot it was in the Spring, but maybe i'm off.