The Rapture is a Biblically non-existant doctrine.
It is a misguided interpretation by people who have not studied the bible enough to have an educated opinion, or have adopted the opinion of another person as their own.
The bible sets forth many concepts, and their definitions need to be biblically understood. If the Biblical concepts are defined by a dictionary definition or with a doctrinal slant they can be misguided.
The biblical concepts themselves must be individually understood before the interpretation of a parable incorporating these concepts can be interpreted.
So to the point.
The so-called rapture verses begin with 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and continue through 1 Thessalonains 5:11.
These verses are simply directions to the Christian not to attempt to correct willfuly sinful/backslidden brethren. This concept is simply and clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 5:11
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
The individual Christian is told not to "Go before" the willfully sinful or "sleeping Christian". This is a "command or word" from the Lord Jesus from 1 Thessalonians 4:15. Jesus did not command those believers who were alive and remaining not to "go before" the sleepers just to convey to them the following information - "the living Christians will not get to Heaven before the dead Christians".
That is a simple information exchange. A command or word from Jesus (given through Paul the Apostle) would do more than convey information already obvious to the follower of Christ, it would direct the follower of Christ in a direction, as if to say don't do this etc.
The reason that the remaining brethren are told not to "go before" their sleeping brethren is seen in verse 16.
The Lord Himself will deal with that willfully sinful or backslidden person (sleeper), through the application of judgement.
The judgment is called - the "Day of the Lord". This judgment is to be carried out by Jesus. The judgment takes the form of Jesus allowing the "thief" or devil to inflict limited (limited by Jesus), discipline upon the "sleeping Christian" until the sleeper "wakes up" and stops sinning.
After the correction the formerly backslidden believer will be welcomed back into fellowship with the believers who "remained" faithful to Christ Jesus.
They will meet Jesus in the Spirit (or cloud) at that time and they will do this in the air - or in this earthly life - wherein we are surrounded by "air".
This entire ordeal is then biblically summarized by 1 Corinthians 11:32.
1 Corinthians 11:32 King James Version (KJV) 11:32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
The end.
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