To Save My Soul
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5
Where is Enoch
Hundreds of years after Enoch supposedly “went to heaven” to be with God, Scriptures continue to challenge Scriptures, regarding this belief. Is he in heaven or not?
No man hath seen God at any time. I John 4:12a
&
And no man hath ascended up to heaven,
but he that came down from heaven,
even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 3:13
Since Jesus was with His Father from “before” the beginning of the world, it would seem logical his statement in John 3:13 is true, as He would surely know who was in heaven with them. So, what is truth? Does one Scripture have precedence over another in a situation like this or, should they all confirm each other, as in laying a foundation, with precept upon precept? What do you think and can you confirm your belief, so that you know that you know, what is truth and what is a different doctrine than what Jesus and the Disciples taught? What to do?
When I don’t understand something in the Bible, I try to read the Scripture first for what it literally says and then look for other Scriptures for a proof text. A proof text is defined as: a passage of the Bible to which appeal is made in support of an argument or position in theology.
I want to see all the pieces of the Scriptures fit together, so I can understand the messages in them. Just as when a prophet brings forth a living (rhema) word, it will never go against the written (logos) word (Bible), no Scripture will go against another Scripture. 2 Timothy Chapter 3 tells us why:
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
I study and seek to learn the ways of Yahweh to show myself well approved according to the Scriptures, so I can apply them to my life and share them with others. So, how do I know Jesus was with the Father
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory
which I had with thee before the world was.
John 17:5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
John 1:1-2
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
And He came down from the Father to the earth
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
John 17:4
But, it is written in Genesis 5:24
Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him
DOES THIS VERSE SAY Enoch went to heaven. NO!
What makes us think he did?
The verse says, he was NOT (NOT FOUND), for God TOOK HIM.
The verse does not say WHERE God took him! To say God took Enoch to heaven is only a presumption or human conjecture, which has no basis in Biblical FACT and it goes against other Scriptures.
Concerning this event Paul said this:
By faith Enoch was TRANSLATED that he should not see DEATH; and was not FOUND, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5
Many have assumed the word “TRANSLATED” must mean “made immortal”, which is wrong. The Greek word for “translate” is METATITHEMI, which according to Vine’s Dictionary of NT Words, this word means, “to transfer to another place.”
This same Greek word is rendered “REMOVED” in Galatians 1:6:
I marvel that ye are so soon removed
from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
In Acts 7:15-16
15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,
16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre
that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
Translated here is rendered “CARRIED OVER” where we read that after Jacob DIED his body was “carried over” removed, TRANSLATED to Sychem.
God took Enoch, He removed him – He translated him, so that HE WAS NOT FOUND. Nobody knew where he was!
The Greek text of Hebrews 11:5 is also illuminating in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, where it means, “to place, or transfer in a passive, horizontal posture.”
Forms of this word also occur in Acts 7:16 (“carried back”), Galatians 1 :6 (“turning away”),Heb.7:12 (“changed”), and Jude 4 (“turn”). It is used throughout the LXX (symbol for the Septuagint) with a similar range of meanings. However, it is also used in the fourth chapter of the apocryphal Wisdom of Solomon. Chapter four, verse ten reads:
“He pleased God, and was beloved of Him; so that living among sinners he was TRANSLATED.” [14]
An examination of the context of this verse reveals that it is not referring to Enoch in particular, but rather to the righteous in general in contrast to the wicked.
Here is Wisdom (The Wisdom of Solomon) 4:10 in context:
“But though the righteous he prevented with death, yet shall he [the righteous] be in rest.” (v.7)
“He [the righteous] pleased God, and was beloved of Him; so that living among sinners he [the righteous] was TRANSLATED.” (v.10)
“Yea, speedily he [the righteous] was TAKEN AWAY, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.” (v.11)
“He [the righteous], being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time.” (v.13)
“For his soul pleased the Lord; therefore hasted [God] to TAKE HIM AWAY from among the wicked.” (v.14)
“This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, that [God’s] grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He has respect unto Hischosen.” (v.15)
“Thus the righteous THAT IS DEAD shall condemn the ungodly WHICH ARE LIVING…” (v.16)
“For they shall see the END of the wise, and shall not understand what God in His counsel hath decreed of him [the righteous], and to what end the Lord hath set him in safety.” (v.17)
All of the above verses are from The Wisdom of Solomon, chapter four, verses seven through seventeen. This passage teaches that when the wicked live to be very old and the righteous die young it is because, God is merciful to the righteous!
God takes the righteous away from among the wicked to spare them from their contaminating influence.
The Greek word METATITHEMI, as used in the Greek text of Hebrews 11:5 and in the Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-17, simply means to be taken out of life, before one’s years are fulfilled or before one’s time.
This is in order to spare the righteous from the further corrupting influence of the wicked, thereby insuring that the righteous do not lose their reward!
It is wise to point out the parallels between the situation of “the righteous” in these verses and that of Enoch, as related in Genesis 5:24 and Hebrews 11:5, as there are many.
The author of the Wisdom of Solomon probably had Enoch in mind when he penned this passage, and could have used Enoch as an example of what happens and why– whenever any righteous person is prematurely removed from the land of the living.
Finally, it is apparent, neither the Aramaic text of Hebrews 11:5, nor the Greek texts of Hebrews 11:5 and The Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-17, teach that anyone was “translated” alive up to heaven.
As for the statement that Enoch “did not (see) death”(Heb.11:5, NKJV), this should be compared and contrasted with the statements of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6-8;
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
and of Peter in 2 Peter 1:13-15
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
These men had advance warning of their impending death. Enoch was removed suddenly and without warning.
In regard to Enoch’s REMOVAL, here is the commentary of one of Judaism’s greatest teachers: Rabbi Solomon, son of Isaac, of Troyes—commonly known as Rashi. Here is his interpretation of Genesis 5:24:
“AND ENOCH WALKED. He was a righteous man, yet [it was] lightminded (for him) to return to evil. Therefore the Holy One, Blessed be He, hastened and removed him and let him die before his time. That is why Scripture varies [the expression] about his death and writes, ‘And he was not’ in the world to complete his years. FOR HE TOOK HIM. Before his time…” (The Pentateuch And Rashi’s Commentary, Vol.1: Genesis).
Even though the comments of The Wisdom of Solomon and Rashi are very illuminating, because they establish that the language used of Enoch in Genesis and in Hebrews CANlegitimately refer to a premature death–NEVERTHELESS, the testimony of God’s Word must be our final court of appeal in this matter.
To further complicate matters, the teachings that Enoch and Elijah escaped death and are alive in heaven is an ancient one. And to those who believe it, the very antiquity of the teaching seemingly lends it a kind of authority. But antiquity does not equal authority. What is true is true, because it is true and not merely because it is old!
The serpent’s lie: “thou shalt not surely die”(Gen.3:4) is very, very old–but it is NOT the truth.[1]
The belief about Enoch and Elijah being taken alive into heaven does not appear anywhere in the Old Testament. It first makes its appearance in Jewish thought and literature during what is called the intertestamental period, which means this belief doesn’t appear until AFTER the Jews return from the seventy year long Babylonian Captivity, which led to the Jews being exposed to King Cyrus.
History reveals sometime after the Jews were taken into captivity, the Babylonian Empire was overthrown by the Medes and Persians. The state religion of the new empire was Zoroastrianism In fact, King Cyrus, the one who Isaiah named in prophecy, several centuries before he was born (lsa.45:1.4) and who allowed a remnant of the Jews to return to the land…King Cyrus was a Zoroastrian! [2]
Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; Isaiah 45:1
Zoroastrianism comes from Zoroaster (“seed of the star” or “star-seed”), which is what the Greeks called the Iranian prophet Zarathustra. The Zoroastrians had a number of doctrines, which more or less paralleled those of the Jews. They believed in a coming deliverer called Saoshyant (“savior”)
[3] who would be born of a virgin. [4] They believed in both angels and demons. And they believed in the resurrection of the dead.
However, in stark CONTRAST to the teachings of the Hebrew patriarchs and prophets, they believed at death the spirit of the righteous would ascend to Garo Demana (the heaven of light and the abode of Ahura Mazda), whereas the spirit of the wicked would descend to Drujo Demana (the house of the lie and the abode of Angra Mainyu) where it would dwell forever in “a murky glow and woeful wailings.” [5]
According to Scripture, before the Jewish remnant was allowed to return to the land of Israel, many Zoroastrians converted to Judaism (Esther 8:17).
“And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.”
As is often the case in such conversions the new convert brings some concepts from the old religion into the new one. This is especially so, when there already exist many parallels between the two religions, as was the case with Zoroastrianism and Judaism. Evidence of the infiltration of Zoroastrian ideas Post-Captivity Judaism can be found in intertestamental literature, in the Dead Sea Scrolls in Rabbinic traditions.
The word “paradise”(Aramaic=pardaisa and Greek=paradeisos) is derived from the Persian word PARDIS. “Pardis was the name of a famous palace and garden built by one of the Median kings about seven centuries before Christ.” [10] The Greek transliteration of this word is used throughout the Septuagint (LXX) [11] to translate the Hebrew words for “garden”(GAN/GANNA).
The Aramaic pardaisa was in common use in Palestine in the first century and survives in Rabbinical writings and in the Peshitta and other Aramaic (Syriac) Christian literature.
Since there is no evidence in Scripture that the Jews, prior to the Babylonian Captivity, believed in an intermediate state between death and resurrection, [12] and since Jewish belief in an intermediate state first appears in Judaism AFTER the Jews’ return to the land (along with a number of other concepts of Persian origin)—it is reasonable to believe that late Jewish traditions of an intermediate state are also of Persian (that is, Zoroastrian) origin! Still later, when Palestine would come under Greek rule, Hellenistic ideas would further reinforce this deviation from Biblical teaching.
I want to go back to Hebrews chapter eleven to see if that chapter can shed any more light on the fate of Enoch for us. Hebrews 11 lists the famous men and women of the Old Testament era and testifies of their faith:
By faith Abel…By faith Enoch…By faith Noah…By faith Abraham…”
After listing all of these faithful ones, INCLUDING ENOCH, Paul concludes in verse 13:
“These ALL died in faith, not having received the promises…
And again:
“And these ALL [again: INCLUDING ENOCH], having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise; God having provided some better thing for us, that they[INCLUDING ENOCH] without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40, NKJV)
In the Amplified Bible Genesis 5:21-24, we read Enoch’s days, alive on Earth, ended at 365 years old. The question is of course, was he taken to heaven alive, or was he transported to another location on earth?
21 When Enoch was 65 years old, Methuselah was born.
22 Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God after the birth of Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters.
23 So all the days of Enoch were 365 years.
24 And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].
Compare the same Hebrew phrase from Genesis 5:24 where it says, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not;
God took him” with the following Scriptures.
Psalms 37:36, “Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.”
Psalms 39:13, “O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.”
The Hebrew for these two phrases above are the same Hebrew as Genesis 5:24. As in the Psalms, the phrase means the person “passed away” or would eventually die.
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Here is the same phrase in the book of Genesis:
Genesis 42:13, “And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.”
This was spoken by the brothers of Joseph. What did they mean by “is not”?
Next, the brothers recount their previous discussion about Joseph with Pharaoh. When they first said, “and one is not,” they meant Joseph “is dead.
Genesis 44:20, “And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.”
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Matthew 2:18, “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.”
Where were Rachel’s children? Dead.
Hebrews 11:5, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:”
So, does the phrase that says Enoch “should not see death” mean Enoch never died?
Hebrews 11:13, “These all died [including Enoch] in faith.”
But not only that, verse 13 goes on to say that they did not receive the promises. One of the promises was a heavenly country (verse 16).
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Heb 11:16
Enoch is one of “ALL THESE” who have not yet obtained the promise of eternal life and inheritance. Enoch and all the worthies of old will receive the promise of eternal life at the return of Christ, the same time Christians obtain it (Heb. 11:40). That is yet future!
Since Enoch has not yet inherited eternal life he must be dead! This is exactly what Paul writes in Heb. 11:13! Paul says Enoch DIED! Notice it! “These ALL died in faith, not having received what was promised.
A question concerning physical death in Psalm 89:48.
What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.”
Why would this Psalmist ask such a question concerning physical death, if he believed Enoch did not see a physical death? The fact is, the Psalmist believed Enoch was in the grave and therefore asked this question.
So, what does the phrase “should not see death” mean?
Notice it is not in the present tense, that he “did not see” death, but that he “should notsee death.”
John 8:51, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death”
John 11:26, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
***This phrase must mean “the second death,” since all the Apostles kept Jesus’ sayings and yet died the first death.
Based on Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
And
Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises,” we must conclude that Enoch died the first death. To believe Enoch did not die is to deny the plain word of many other scriptures as well.
For example, Romans 5:12, “…so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” and Romans 5:14, “…death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned.”
Are we to believe that Enoch did not sin? Are we to believe that a man who was not yet cleansed of sin by the blood of Jesus could enter heaven and dwell in God’s presence?
Enoch’s translation
But what about his translation in Hebrews 11:5? Does that mean he didn’t die? That’s what most people carelessly assume without proof. The Bible does not say that Enoch went to heaven when he was translated. Instead, it says he “was not found.”
According to Strong’s, Thayer’s and Bullinger’s Greek Lexicons, “translate” means “to put or place in another place, to transport, to transfer.”
Nowhere in the Scripture does ‘translate’ mean to make immortal!
The same Greek word is rendered “carried over” in Acts 7:16 where Jacob’s body was ‘translated’ or ‘transported’ to Sychem, where he was buried!
The Scriptures say Jacob was translated to the place of burial!
God took Enoch and buried him somewhere so as not to be found, just as he did with the body of Moses in Deuteronomy 34:6. No man knows where Moses’ or Enoch’s grave is. God hid them for reasons known only to Him.
Notice another proof that ‘translate’ does not mean to make immortal. Paul wrote that the Father “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).
The apostle Paul says that he was already translated, even though he was still physically alive! Although he was once part of the darkness of this world, he was translated, removed from darkness, into the light of the kingdom of God while he was physically alive!
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At the age of 65, Enoch had a son named Methuselah.
But how long did Enoch walk with God?
Genesis 5:22, “And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.”
So, Enoch followed God’s ways for three hundred years.
Notice that the Scripture does not record that Enoch is still walking with God.
It says that Enoch WALKED with God for three hundred years, and not one year more. Why?
Because “all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years” (Genesis 5:23).
Paul says, in Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord.”
Enoch walked with God and pleased God. This is what Genesis 5:22, 24 means when it says,”Enoch walked with God.”
Note:
All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. Not just part of his days, but all his days! If Enoch did not die — if he was changed to immortality — and thus continued to walk with God, then his days would have been more than three hundred sixty-five. But the Bible plainly says that ALL his days were just that many, and no more!
This expression “all his days” is used in the same fifth chapter of Genesis about a dozen times and always it means that the person lived for that length of time ONLY “und he died.” So Enoch lived NO MORE than three hundred and sixty-five years because “all his days were three hundred sixty-five years.” As he lived only for this length of time THEN HE MUST HAVE DIED and like every true saint,
Enoch is awaiting the hope of the resurrection and the return of Christ. Jude 14, 15
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
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The Preeminence of Christ
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says that all die and all shall be resurrected, but Messiah must befirst in the order.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Enoch could not possibly have preceded him, especially if he were still flesh and blood as it says in verses 49-52.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 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.
JESUS HAS PRE-EMINENCE!!
Of all that have ever been FLESH & BLOOD – born of women – Jesus Christ ONLY has gained IMMORTAL LIFE! So says our Bible.
He alone of all humans was RESURRECTED to receive the promise of ETERNAL LIFE. He alone is the only one to be changed from MATTER into SPIRIT – from human to DIVINE!
Read it in your own Bible, never forget those plain verses.
“But now is Christ risen from the DEAD and become the FIRSTFRUITS of them that slept…For as in Adam ALL die (that includes, Enoch, Moses and Elijah), even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive (see Jn 5:25-29)
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
BUT every man in his own order: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS…” (1 Cor. 15:20-23).
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
It was not Moses that was first from the dead, nor was it Elijah or Enoch that first received eternal life – IT WAS CHRIST JESUS!
“And He (speaking of Jesus) is the head of the body, the church: who is THE BEGINNING, the FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD…” (Col. 1:18).
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence
Jesus was “the firstborn of every creature” (Col. 1:15).
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Yes, the FIRST Human to be BORN into life eternal.
Christ was the FIRST to be PERFECTED as an immortal being and so, “…being MADE PERFECT, He became the AUTHOR (the one who wrote the book on it – who led the way) of ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them that OBEY Him” (Heb. 5:9).
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Do you see it? It was NOT Elijah, Moses or Enoch who led the way to eternal life. It was not Noah, nor David, nor Abel, Sarah or Abraham. It was not ANY other human person but JESUS, He wrote the book on how to attain IMMORTALITY.
He ALONE is the author. He is the CAPTAIN, the leader into eternal Salvation (Heb.2:10).
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Why? “…that ALL THINGS He might have the PREEMINENCE” (Col. 1:18).
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Read that wonderful passage of scriptures in COLOSSIANS 1:15-19.
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Jesus was and is the FIRST in creating ALL things (it wasn’t Enoch, Moses or any other man). He is the FIRST, the head of the church (it’s not Elijah, Paul, Peter or any other man).
He is the FIRST from the dead (it wasn’t Moses or any other man). Jesus is FIRST in CREATING, first in the CHURCH, and first of any human in eternal SALVATION.
All children of God in by-gone ages who “died in faith” (including Enoch, Moses and Elijah) are awaiting the TRUMPET SOUND – when they, together with us who shall remain and be alive at Christ’s coming, will be raised and CHANGED from MORTAL to IMMORTAL
1 Cor.15:50-54
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 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.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1 Thes. 4:13-17
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.