I can’t be absolute on it, personally, as the scriptures including the one you cite can and do lend themselves to different interpretations. This is not the place to debate it, nor do I want to. But I will say that in case the “what is coming” should happen in my lifetime, I’m trying to prepare myself for the distinct possibility that I might need to die for my faith, as have countless others who’ve gone before.
For those who see it only the one way, I in turn hope that their faith would be strong enough to still hold firm, even if or when things might turn out otherwise. For this reason, I myself would be rather uncomfortable attending a church where belief in an escape by rapture was an integral part of their dogma. Only God knows.
Re 1735
I believe what you are saying. I’ve always thought Christians would stand like warriors in the end times.
I seem to remember a scripture or something saying the generation which sees the rebirth of Israel will also see the end times?!/?