It is my firm belief that we are now living in the times of the birth pangs, and they are increasing. we are seeing lawlessness increasing, pestilences (Plagues) Famines are coming shortly, economic and military turmoil etc. it is not just here in the U.S. but worldwide. These things precede the Gospel of the kingdom being preached as per the Olivet discourse.
On your second question, you are understanding correctly. Before the harvest can occur, the latter rain must happen, which causes the final harvest to ripen in the fields. There are wheat that is harvested, there is the tares that are separated, The tares receive the strong delusion and are gathered for the fire by the angels, the wheat is harvested into the Barn. But before this the latter rain must occur for the fields to ripen to their fulness.
This is what the latter rain is agriculturally speaking, the late rains before the harvest. They ripen the fields to their fulness. You will see Nominal Christians travelling the path to sainthood unlike ever before, and many new workers in the fields working for the same days wages we have received, for the King of Kings is coming and those who are truly his subjects will know this.