Introduction

Substantial evidences of scripture prove the impossibility of a pre-millenial, pre-tribulation secret rapture because the position must bow to a multiple phase first resurrection, in fact, an oxymoron. I uphold the facts of only one Acts 24:15 first resurrection of the just, only one second resurrection of the unjust, and only one rapture of all the saints of God. I give a strong challenge for a single first resurrection, “the dead in Christ” who rise first, and then the rapture of the church. The key question is, when is the first resurrection? The answer is in the title of the book, at Revelation 20:5!

Part I: Of no small importance is the battle for the beginning, the interpretation on the beginning of creation, which is under attack not only from the outside world but also most discreetly from within the church. The battle is over whether we read the Bible literally or interpret it allegorically, or symbolically. How we understand the beginning in Genesis affects how we interpret the end times in Revelation and all that is in between. Of note is the method by which you obtain the meaning of the “First day” in Genesis 1:3 has much bearing on the meaning you receive from “First resurrection” in Revelation 20:5. Is the first day multiple days or ages; is the first resurrection multiple phases? The answer is in the literal rendering of the word first.

Part II: The most common eschatology of Pentecostals is a pre-millenial, pre-trib rapture position of which I adhered to for five decades but a question nagged me for many years concerning 1Thes. 4:15-17, “…And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…” Clearly all agree that this is a resurrection of the dead and happens fractionally before the rapture! If the dead in Christ who rise first is a resurrection, then how is it that Revelation 20:5 clearly states, “This is the first resurrection” which occurs after the antichrist is revealed, after the mark of the beast, and after the great tribulation that firstly Jesus taught and then Paul?

Part III: The question was asked of Jesus, “What is the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” The first prophetic sign that Jesus answered was, the deception of many. Ironically however, many churches today are void of Biblical and prophetic knowledge to even recognize the first sign. Jesus’ ratio of the many over the few is indicative of apostasy. The present day churches that replace doctrinal teaching with “relevant” fables and illustrated sermons to itching ears, have played an integral part in providing fertile ground for another gospel, the Emergent/Contemplative/New Age Christianity and now even Chrislam. Demonstrating exponential growth and massive worldwide influence, this aspect of the church appears to be leading the race to a one-world religion.

Part IV: Establishes what it means to be truly born again—Lordship salvation, and the holiness of God’s people is necessary to understand before we proceed to examine the doctrines of the Holy Spirit.

Part V: Gives condensed important instruction extracted from the book The Promise of the Father, concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Promise of the Father examines in great detail all of the Pentecostal doctrines, evidence and experiences of tradition, the 1906 Azusa Revival and other so-called revivals such as the Latter Rain and the Toronto Blessing. Also examined are non-Biblical signs and wonders such as slain in the spirit and experiences of the last century that are common to New Age mysticism and Eastern religion.