"Then we which are alive and remain."

The saints who survive the government of Antichrist and the great tribulation indeed will be ready for the change that will be required in order for them to be caught up in the clouds along with the resurrected saints of all ages.

Obviously, flesh and blood humans will not be caught up along with resurrected saints. The living saints must first be changed into immortality.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (I Corinthians 15:50-52)

The "resurrection chapter" (I Corinthians, Chapter 15) does not mention the catching up of the believers, the so-called "rapture." The chapter emphasizes what God emphasizes—the change from corruption to incorruption. This is the true hope of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

If we are to be caught up along with the resurrected saints of all ages we first must be changed from corruption to incorruption.

Many that are last in time shall be first in the Kingdom of God. The believers "which are alive and remain" will have a unique experience. Their bodily processes will die while they are standing on their feet. Their digestion, breathing, and other functions will change from blood and oxygen to the life and power of the Spirit of God.

They will not die and then be resurrected like all other believers. They will pass from mortality to immortality while standing on their feet.

This will mark the end of their flesh and blood existence, including their family relationships. They no longer will be "Adam" but life-giving spirits. They no longer will be of the race of mankind. They no longer will be mammals, warm-blooded, capable of nourishing their young with milk from the breast.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (I Corinthians 15:50)

Can you imagine the faith that will be required in order to pass through such an experience without "looking back." Every blessing we receive from God requires that we press through in triumphant faith to total victory. The change from corruption to incorruption will be no exception.

How many believers of our day possess enough faith to hold steady in God while their bodily processes wither, die, and pass away, to be replaced by the Spirit of God?

If Enoch, who apparently was not required to experience change from flesh and blood life, was lifted up to God by faith, what kind of faith will be required to change from a human being to a personality animated by spiritual life?

To be continued.