James 5:7-8

James 5:7-8--"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."

This refers to the rapture, not the second advent, when the Lord will come in the air to receive the saints to Himself (James 5:7-8; John 14:1-3; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Corinthians 15:23, 51-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Ephesians 5:27; Phil. 3:11, 20-21; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-17; 5:9, 23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 7-8; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; 1 Peter 5:4)
 

The early and latter rains in Palestine, the early rain at seedtime and the latter rain at harvest time (Deuteronomy 11:14), are used here to picture the fruit of the harvest of souls. The early spiritual rain fell at the founding of the church (Acts 2:1-16) and the latter rain will be poured out at the end of this age when the complete harvest of the church age will be gathered (Acts 2:16-21). Cp. Hosea 6:3; Zechariah 10:1