INTRODUCTION

In I Cor.15:51 the Holy Spirit reassures us that even though it is appointed unto all men once to die (Heb.9:27), not all believers will have to keep that appointment. Both Acts 2:34-35 and I Cor.15:25-26 promise us that our last enemy, death itself, will be destroyed. Virtually all Christians, regardless of their theological perspective, would agree that at some point in history, a generation of believers will experience something which no generation has experienced before them; namely, that which is mortal will become immortal. While they may disagree as to when this will occur, they do agree that it will happen. Another point of agreement appears to be that the timing of this event is totally within the control of Father God (Mk.13:32).  

The question which is examined in this study is rather simple. If this is in fact the generation in which death is to be destroyed, who or what determines which members of this generation will actually be alive when that last trumpet sounds? After all, the generation of Israelites which left Egypt was supposed to go into the promised land. However, because of unbelief, grumbling and numerous other reasons, all the members of that generation who were 20 years old or older died in the wilderness - all that is except Joshua and Caleb (Nu.14:1-45). Since I Cor.10:1-11 warns believers upon whom the end of the ages has fallen to be cognizant of this period in Israel's history it would appear that there is more than a mere possibility that simply being born into that end time generation is no guarantee that you will be one of those who actually come into God's presence without tasting death.  

If being alive and remaining and taking part in that experience is to be a matter of pure happenstance, why does Jesus use such forceful language in Mk.13:32-37 when He tells us to be on guard? What part if any does the believer's love of God, faith, attitude, actions, knowledge, maturity level, vigilance etc. play in the process of determining which end time believersbecome part of the foot company which the Most High uses to crush that last enemy?  

The answers to these questions are important. The issues which they bring into focus are life changing. In fact, in one sense they are a matter of life and death (Prov.1:32-33). While you may not be sure of some of the conclusions which are presented, if you were previously unaware of the issues discussed in this study, you can no longer afford to ignore them. My prayer for you is twofold. First, that the Lord will use this study to help reveal to you what He has in store for us in this present age. And second, that you understand that His Word contains a treasure which is hidden for us, and not from us (Prov.2:1-5).