"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."(James 5:7-8 NIV)
It is the latter or spring rain that is the precursor to the coming return of Jesus. However, we are to be patient looking for both rains not knowing for sure which is which. When we get rain, we know that growth of the crop is the likely result and then the harvest will come. With the seasons we know that the harvest will follow the growth of the crop after the spring rains. However, with prophecy how do we know more specifically when the "spring rain", has come and then the harvest (coming of Christ). If we can discern the season, then we can know whether we are experiencing the winter or the spring rains. Nevertheless, the key topic in James 5:7-8 is patience.
When Jesus greeted his disciples after his resurrection, they asked Him if this was the time when he would restore His kingdom to Israel. It was all about them. It was all about Israel They still didn't get it. So He told them, it is not for them to know the TIMES or EPOCHS (seaons or period of time); what the Father does He does at the TIME He sets according to His own authority.
Instead, He has work for them to do which He will empower them for. This is kind of like Jesus when He said "I must be about my Father's house (Luke 2:49)." And what is He doing in His Father's house? He is preparing it for you and me and for the many others we will bring into his kingdom through our witness (John 14:2,3). Do we want something from God? Do we want vindication for a wrong committed against us? Pray for patience and in the meanwhile, do the work of God.
Pray: "Lord, help me to be patient even though things are not going my way. The times and seasons are of the Lord. We only know this: He will come back soon enough."