1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

A glorious scripture on the promise of the resurrection.
More than that!
The appearance of the Savior to raise the dead in Christ and change the living in Christ.
Two words in text have caused much debate over the years and given the event a name.
The two words – caught up!
In the Latin text (the Vulgate) the word is rapiemur.
This gave us an English word – rapture.
Some say the event was unheard of until the 1800’s when someone took this scripture, twisted it for the purpose of removing the saints before the time of Great Tribulation.
We cannot know for sure what the Paulican church era believed about such events. Paul’s writings all preceded John’s writing of Revelation.
In my opinion the Bible gives poor details on such things as heaven and the after life.
We know both exists but with little explanation on what takes place.
I believe God is more concerned and gives us the key on how to live in this life.
On what it takes for salvation.
On how to treat one another.
Walk in faith, accept Jesus as your Savior, and let the word of God and the Holy Spirit guide you in the life you have.
God will take care of you in the here and now and the hereafter.
It doesn’t matter if you believe Jesus returns before, during, or after the tribulation of Revelation.
As Jesus said to Peter when he asked about the ministry of one of the other apostles – “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” John 21:22
There you have it. Jesus is coming back. You just need to keep your eyes on Him and follow!