early and latter rain

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.

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.

1. There are multiple outpourings

2. The former/early rains are the beginnings

3. The latter rain is toward the end

4. The latter rain, like the travail of a woman with child, comes more frequently and with increasing intensity as the hour draws near