Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Behold, I show you a mystery." He introduced that statement with,

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly (1 Cor. 15:45-49).

Paul then added, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." Something has to occur before "the image of the earthy" can be changed into "the image of the heavenly." The something that has to occur is an apocalyptic event where the dying of the image of the earthly dependency brings forth the life of the image of the heavenly reliance. In every apocalyptic event, the participant will be changed. Unfortunately, those who do not respond appropriately their lives will become more overwhelmed with stress, despair, or a sense of being forsaken and destroyed (2 Cor. 4:8-9). Paul simply stated, "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed:" the image of the heavenly will come forth or the image of the earthly will be enhanced. If the believer in Jesus Christ can have the "patience of Jesus Christ," he will be changed to something profoundly wonderful. He will experience the "corruptible . . . [putting] on incorruption, and this mortal . . . [putting] on immortality (1 Cor. 15:53). Amazingly, marvelously, "when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality," the miracle of all miracles has occurred. The resurrection of the human soul is experienced being raised out of the natural tendency of gloom, despair, and agony to "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" in the nearness of Christ (1 Pet. 1:7-8). Although told in much more descriptive word pictures of rich symbolism and metaphors, Paul's explanation of the mystery of how believers are changed is the story of Revelation. John wrote to the church in Smyrna: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11). After everyone born into this world experiences the first death of his existence (the fall from the high plane of spirituality to experience life in the lower base arena of fleshly sensations), he must be born again (original is "born from above"). The now perceived control of his life, due to the death of his spirituality, must die. This second death, however, as Paul implied "is swallowed up in victory." Through Jesus Christ, the believer can experience victory over the sting of death (sin) and the strength of sin (the law) in his "second death." Again, John wrote to the believers in Smyrna, "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Heavenly Father, my prayer today is simple. Deliver me from the sting of dying to self. Deliver me from the strength that my flesh holds over me. Swallowed me up in your great love. Swallowed me up in the power of your Spirit. Even in the midst of this terrible trial bringing me to the end of myself, let me rise in the power of your strength. Heavenly Father, swallowed me up in your victory.