"I am also personally turned off by extrapolations from text that support theories like The Rapture, which at best has a loose metaphorical basis in biblical text. I find advocates of that point of view creepy and self serving (it will be hell on earth but of course they will be spared). That smacks of a strange ego and indeed a form of mental illness. Buttressed by the giddiness of some of the advocates of that point of view (they seem genuinely thrilled that they will be spared and everyone who doesn't agree with them get to live through hell on earth), I find adherents of that view creepy, off putting, strange, and immature."
You're describing a rapture that happens before the tribulation. While that is maybe the majority view, I do not share it. I believe in a rapture (a removal of the believers) afterwards, when believers will be dealing with the ultimate Hitler for a few years, just like everyone else.
Works for me. Like I have said, I turn to God in any event. Whether the Rapture is Pre-Tribulation or Post-Tribulation, I personally don't think it's very important vis a vis how I have to live my life, and my own judgment.