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"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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." [1 Corinthians 15:51-53].

         Paul had just written a beautiful presentation on resurrection, first on the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, then "every man on his own order." He spoke of its certainty, its triumph, and even illustrated the manner thereof-- how God truly gives the new body with its glories as it pleaseth Him. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."
         It is also understood "that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." Then Paul makes it very clear that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." And so, he says, "I will shew you a mystery."  The Greek word for "shew" is "lego" meaning-- to lay out, tell, describe. And remember that a mystery is that which is known only to the initiated. Paul had received by divine revelation an understanding which he then desired to unfold to us, concerning our change. Since this corruptible cannot inherit incorruption, then there is necessity of a change from the earthy to the spiritual-- the heavenly.
       Furthermore, resurrection and change is an ACT OF GOD, HE RAISES UP, He appoints the time thereof. And so many will "sleep" and wait for that hour. But we shall not all sleep. What is meant by sleep? John 11:12-13. "Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death. " Word had come to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, and Jesus would go to him, and He told His disciples that "Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep." Because they thought that Jesus was only speaking of sleep as that restful slumber, repose, Jesus had to tell them plainly, "Lazarus is dead." Thus, physical death is likened unto sleep.
         Many have thought that physical death is a must, if we are to follow Christ all the way, because He experienced a physical death. "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living." [Romans 14:9]. It was needful for Him to experience even physical death-- because He would conquer and be Lord of that realm, too. Henceforward physical death holds no terror for the child of God, Christ is victor over that realm, and "whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."  [Romans 14:8].  But while He died physically, conquered that realm totally, is LORD OVER ALL THE DEAD, He is also LORD for us who "are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord." [1 Thessalonians 4:15].  And Paul clearly stated that "we shall not all sleep," because he foresaw that there would be those who were living at the appointed hour of their CHANGE.
         While it is true, should God's timetable go beyond our own allotted threescore and ten (figurative of our earthly sojourn ), and we do go the way of all flesh, into sleep, yet there is no loss, for at the time of His coming, "them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." [1 Thess. 4:14]. God does not penalize us for being born in the wrong time span, and even Job believed, and was able to declare-- "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another." [Job 19:25-27]. Our body may be sown in corruption, but it shall be raised in incorruption, because of the resurrection and change which is wrought, and thus God will give us a new body that pleaseth Him, like unto His own glorious body. Again Job said, "If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." [Job 14:14].
         But the mystery of the change is not limited to those who physically die, for "we shall not all sleep"-- and while it is obvious there is tremendous need for a change via resurrection for those who have died, it is equally self-evident there is tremendous need for change for those who are living. This flesh and blood body will not, cannot inherit the kingdom of God, it must needs be changed.
         In the unfolding of his revelation on this mystery of our change, Paul begins "IN A MOMENT . . . " The Greek "en atomo," literally IN THE ATOMS, it is a change that is wrought in the very atomical structure of our being-- the very atoms will be altered, (made other). That which is of the earth, earthy, will be completely changed in its atoms, and take on a totally new expression, and that is why "we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." [Philippians 3:20-21].
         Now we find Paul uses another Greek word, "metamorphoo" for the CHANGE, from which we get our English word metamorphosis, which is defined as "change of form, structure, or substance." It is not a change brought about from the outside, but one produced by the nature within. The example has often been used of the worm and the butterfly. Inherent in the worm is the nature and expression of the butterfly, it simply requires that a change take place. When we were by nature "the children of wrath," [Ephesians 2:3] there was no way we could manifest the image of the heavenly. It is the receiving of CHRIST to dwell within us, to become our new nature. HIS is the life which produces the change.
         "In Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession."  [Ephesians 1:13-14]. We have a measure within, a divine portion, and it is working in us of that change, but it is needful that this "Christ within" receive much more from the "Christ without" to complete the change. Therefore, we are admonished to "gird up the loins of our mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ." [ 1 Peter 1:13 ]. There is a certain metamorphosis taking place now, but it will climax when HE comes to us, and imparts that added grace which will complete the change.
        "All of us, with face unveiled, gazing on the mirrored glory of the Lord, are hourly being transformed into the same likeness, from a mere reflected glory into an inherent glory, as may well be, since it proceeds from the Lord, the Spirit." [2 Corinthians 3:18, A.S. Way translation].
         Wuest: "-- are having our outward expressions changed into the same image from one degree of glory to another according as this change of expression proceeds from the Lord, the Spirit."
         Until we receive Christ within, there can be no change, for HIS is the life which changes us-- if it is not within, it cannot be manifested outwardly. Reflections will not bring praise to God-- it is essential and imperative that it be a true expression of our inner state of being.
         There is little glory in the worm-- you'd have to love worms to see the beauty of that dimension, however limited that beauty and glory is. But once it has passed through the CHANGING PROCESS, the butterfly emerges out of the cocoon. Nothing was put into the cocoon as an outside additive, it is all the result of the IN WORKING.  And though natural illustrations are very limited in their scope of applications, the finite can never fully express the infinite, yet there is a sense in which nothing can be added to His life within us for our changing, it is all INHERENT IN HIS LIFE, flesh can add nothing, contribute nothing.  As already stated, the fullness of Christ will come to us and be added to the indwelling measure, but flesh will add nothing.
         "And be ye not conformed to this world: but be transformed (metamorphoo) by the renewing of your mind." [Romans 12:2].
         Obviously a great portion of this present working of the transformation process deals with the mind, in all of its related aspects.  A RENEWED MIND requires the process of repentance. The word "repentance" from "metanoia" meaning A CHANGE OF MIND. As the mind is changed, so also the outward expression will be changed.  Thus repentance is not a one-time experience, but a PROCESS, an on-going renewal, as we put off the old mind, and put on the new.  IF our thinking is in accord with the spirit of this age, even though we might have received Christ into our hearts, so that He dwell there by faith, still we will manifest outwardly the things of this world. It will not be a true expression of Him that dwells within, it a masquerade, expressing only the mind that is attuned to the world, not of the inner state of the heart.  But as the mind is renewed -- becomes one with the Christ within, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of the Christ," [2 Corinthians 10:5] then, as we are thinking, so we will express, even HIM.
         One thing this is not-- it is not just one covering over the other, it requires the process of a complete change-- changed in the atoms.  The image of the heavenly has no resemblance to the image of the earthy, than does the butterfly look like the worm.
         A brief look at the negative also produces some truth to be considered. "They changed ( Hebrew, mur, exchanged ) their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass." [Psalm 106:20].
         How did they do this? With a change of mind, involving a change of Gods. We are ultimately to be changed into the same image as our God-- man is to become the image and glory of his God. Now, if you change to "other gods," then whatever your god is, that is what you will become. On this occasion Israel forsook serving Jehovah, and made unto themselves a god in the image of a golden calf-- an ox that eateth grass. Then to share the glory of their god, all they had was the glory of an ox. Turning from the glory of the Creator, to take up with the glory of the created.
         This takes on vital meaning and application when we consider the creeds and doctrines which warp the minds of Christendom, so that in their mind they have the image of a God that is a despot, filled with wrath, vengeful, cruel. And imputing to God all the base emotions of carnal man, no wonder there is NO CHANGE IN THEM, their god is as base as themselves. You cannot be changed or redeemed beyond whatever your God is. "We shall be LIKE HIM, for we shall see Him as He is." [1 John 3:2].
         While there is to be an instantaneous climax to the process, nevertheless there is also that change from one degree of glory to another. "The righteousness of God is revealed FROM FAITH TO FAITH." [Romans 1:17]. "Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the ways to Zion. They? go from strength to strength, till every one of them in Zion appeareth before God." [ Psalm 84:5,7].
         To go from glory to glory, from faith to faith, from strength to strength, increasing in victorious power until each of us appears before God in Zion. What a challenge indeed! Certainly the processings of these days are preparing us for that glorious, climactic hour when HE shall appear and finish the work HE has begun, and the last atom of our being shall be fully CHANGED-- into His substance, structured like to His glorious body.
         There is a threefold process being wrought out in our change, which could be expressed as ,fusion, infusion, and transfusion.  A fusion is to blend, unite, for a union. "I in UNION with the, and You in UNION with Me, so that they may be perfectly united." [John 17:23, Williams]. "The man who is in UNION with the Lord is spiritually one with Him." [1 Corinthians 6:17, Williams]. "For it is in Him that all the fullness of Deity continued to live embodied, and through UNION with Him you too are filled with it." [Colossians 2:9-10, Williams].
         The Spirit of God UNITED to our spirit begins the process, this is the fusing. "If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." [John 14:23]. He dwells within, "Christ in you the hope of glory." [Colossians 1:27]. His Spirit and our spirit fused into ONE SPIRIT, to be the inherent life that will bring forth the changes.
         Then by infusion, the soul (mind, intellect, emotions, will) receives the illuminations, revelations, which change the mind. When the Word, the LIGHT, has illumined the mind in every part, every thought and imagination exposed to the light and brought into oneness with the light, then death is abolished. "To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." [Romans 8:6].
         From the Spirit to the soul passes all that is needed to bring forth the change and new growth, even as the umbilical cord sustains the unborn child, and from the soul to the Spirit passes the waste from the tainted blood of Adam's inheritance. Thus "old things are passing away, and all things becoming new." [2 Corinthians 5:17]. This infusion, pouring in of spiritual truth, some have experienced, that there is a definite reaction to sudden revelation, a quickened pulse, clearer thinking, and a surge of energy which can be noted even in these present physical bodies.
        While these changes are taking place in their cycles, there is still to be that climactic moment, with its TRANSFUSION, when He appears unto His own with that ADDED GRACE which completes the work within, and we shall all be changed. While beholding Him in bodily form, we shall receive of Him that divine inflow which shall fill us to overflowing with Himself, and so shall we be swallowed up into the image of the heavenly.
        Now, Paul spoke of our change also as threefold, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, IN ( Greek is in not at ) the last trump." In a moment has dealt with substance, our being changed in the atoms to be of His own substance. Next we find that "in the twinkling of an eye" is concerned with condition, while "in the last trump" refers to time. Reading this verse superficially, we might be inclined to believe that the bodily change of God's people will take place in a split second, or in the time it takes to wink the eye. This may have its application, too, but as we have already stated, there is a being changed by  degrees, from glory to glory, so that being changed is not just some drastic one-moment event, it is a process with a climax, the speed of the climax still to be revealed with the happening.
         The scriptures gives its own interpretation of its symbols, and it will be found that the eye is symbolic of the "spirit," for "the light (lamp) of the body is the eye." [Matthew 6:22]. And "the spirit of man is the candle (lamp) of the Lord." [Proverbs 20:27]. While Revelation 5:6 speaks of the Lamb having "seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God . . . " It is the spirit of man within which is the eye, beholding spiritual realities.
         Next, what about the "twinkling" of the eye. The word "twinkling," comes from the Greek meaning "the casting down," or the winking of the eyelid over the eve. The winking of the eye physically is most important, for by this means is the eye kept lubricated, and foreign substances cleared out. Even in application to spiritual truth this is so. So consider:
         2 Corinthians 7: l, "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and SPIRIT (typified by the eye), perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Many have relegated all cleansings to the removal of the lusts of the flesh, etc. but there is also to be a washing away of all filthiness of the spirit. Seems there have been many little things of the past that yet inhabit our spirit, sometimes to irritate a bit, sometimes to distort our true visions. We remember the glory of the good old days of past blessing and it keeps us from seeing clearly what is before us in the NEW. Doubts, fears, condemnations of self and others. They are not a part of the CHRIST-SPIRIT within us, but they are remnants of our own human spirit, or cast upon us by the turmoil of the atmosphere and conditions about us. But as the winking of the eye washes away the particles of dust, etc. and tears are often used to bring a cleansing, so this typifies that the brokenness, the tenderness, the humility comes to cleanse our spirit of all defilement, that we might be changed to see clearly.
        "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light." [Luke 11:34]. Not "IF" but "WHEN," for only when our spirit is totally single to Him shall we be filled with His light. Methinks that much of the chaotic happenings of these latter days is for the purpose of causing us to become so weary of this world's ways, that we will look ONLY into Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, and in so looking we shall see HIM, and become like Him.
         Being changed in the atoms, to be of His substance, and coming into the condition of a single eye unto Christ, with all debris and defilement washed away, we shall surely be brought to the hour of our total redemption, "IN THE LAST TRUMP."
         "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever." [Revelation 11:15].
         We are but presenting "whispers of the mysteries,'' with so much to yet be revealed and quickened by His Spirit. But it appears that the "last trump" harmonizes with this seventh and final trumpet spoken of in Revelation, and is also that which is referred to in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD . . . " Thus linking our CHANGE to the very COMING OF THE LORD.
         An added clarification is found in the word "shout," for He shall descend from heaven with a SHOUT. Conybeare translates it, "a shout of war." And in his footnote explains, "this word denotes the shout used in battle." Thus we could rightly term this A WAR CRY. This brings a whole new aspect into the truths of the coming of our Lord, and our change. It will be a time of great battle, the conflict of the ages coming to its climax, and the CAPTAIN OF THE HOST descending with a shout of war, to urge on, encourage, and give the command, "TIME TO POSSESS THE KINGDOM.'' No rapture Is inferred any place in this text, but rather HE COMES TO US, He brings that added grace which will complete His work in us. He will change our vile body like unto His glorious body, and then He will issue those commands to subdue the nations, and turn the kingdoms to righteousness.
         There is a specific time in view, it is "IN THE LAST TRUMP," even that trumpet which proclaims the coming of our Lord and the taking of all these earthly kingdoms to Himself. And since flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, it necessitates that ALL SHALL BE CHANGED, which change will first be realized in His firstfruits, then every man in his own order. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
         Due to some mistranslations, there is quite a lot of confusion as to whether "incorruption" or "immortality" becomes the goal toward which we press. In the past the glory has been placed in the immortality part, and the land where we'll never grow old. To determine the essential difference between incorruption and immortality, note two verses:
         "That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: When in His times He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." [1 Timothy 6:14-16].
        "Now unto the King eternal, immortal (Greek, INCORRUPTIBLE), invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." [1 Timothy 1:17].
         God, being INCORRUPTIBLE, makes it self-evident that nothing is greater than incorruptibility. Corruption signifies a change from a state of uprightness, truth, to a perverted state, or a defiled and pollute state. We realize that in our present realm, creation being made subject to vanity, and fallen into a bondage of corruption, there has been a changeover from pure spirit existence into a state of gross materialism, subject to decay. Now we need that changing back from this corruptible into that which is of pureness of spirit.
         "Who only hath immortality . . . " The Greek word for immortality, "athanasia," is only used three times in the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 15: 53, 54 and 1 Timothy 6:16.  ALL OTHER TIMES in the King James Version where the word immortality is used, it is an incorrect translation, and the word incorruption should be used.
         Bearing this in mind, Paul declared that it is "mortal" which must put on immortality, or un-death. To be mortal means to be in a state of dying, or one subject to death. This condition needs to be reversed, changed into one of HIS DIVINE LIFE. By this we can see, then, what Paul meant when he said that ONLY ONE had immortality. He certainly did not mean God, the Omnipotent Spirit, for as such God was never mortal. But JESUS, the manifestation of God to creation, was "found in fashion as a man . . . and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." [Philippians 2:8].
        Then, as the risen Lord, He declared, "I AM He that liveth and was dead; and behold, I AM alive for ever more. Amen; and have the keys of hell and death." [ Revelation 1:18]. Was dead, but now alive for ever more! This is HE, WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY, DEATHLESSNESS, but which state He also desires to share with those who are partakers of the fellowship of His sufferings, are made conformable to His death, and then receive the fullness of HIS resurrection life. Brought into oneness with Him, then no more can it be said that He only hath immortality, for it shall be our inheritance, also.
         Then we note that l Timothy 1:17 states that the "only wise God" Is incorruptible. As the Most High, in His highest form of Godship, He is incorruptible, yet it is not stated that He alone is incorruptible, for such a state can be attained unto as we become partakers of His Divine Nature, by His grace.
         Paul wrote that both incorruption and immortality must be put on, and he wrote this after Jesus had been raised from the dead, and hence THE POSSESSOR of them both. Paul could not state that Jesus alone was incorruptible, for God, Omnipotent Spirit, is also incorruptible. Why then did Paul so emphatically state that ONLY ONE hath immortality? Because God, being incorruptible, never mortal, made it unnecessary to state that God possesses "deathlessness," but now he was stressing the fact that JESUS ALONE, THUS FAR, was complete conqueror over death, thus to be Lord both of the dead and the living.
         That which is incorruptible, never given over to decay, cannot know death, for death is the fruition of sin. "Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." [James 1:15]. When one is brought into a sinless state (that blessed mystery of godliness), it is self-evident that death is annulled. Thus our desire is not just to be brought into a state of "no death," but into a place where there is no corruption, for then we will never have to face the ultimate consequence of sin, which is death. It is this corruption which must be swallowed up, CHANGED, into a state of incorruption, and then shall be brought to pass the saying, "death is swallowed up in victory." To become incorruptible makes it unnecessary to add that they are also immortal.
         Paul made his statements on mortality and immortality in his desire to point out that everything in a death-state must be swallowed up INTO LIFE, for "the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." [1 Corinthians 15:26]. But the process and conditions which make that possible is the outworking of the CHANGE, all coming into a state of incorruption-- then it is self-evident that death is forever conquered, for it has lost its sting, which is sin.
       HE SHALL CHANGE US! As to the time, we do not know the day nor the hour, but we are looking for our change, which necessitates that we also look for our Saviour, Who shall change us, for "unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." [Hebrews 9:28]. His first coming was to deal with sin, and to become our sin offering, and to conquer death, but He shall appear this second time to finish the process of putting away all sin, as we are completely changed and brought into a state of incorruptibility. When all are CHANGED, become new creatures in Christ, spirit, soul, and body, then this will be a mystery no longer, for all will have become a partaker of Its reality. Praise God!

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