1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “…then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air;…”
First, this IS the Second Coming of Christ, which clearly follows the Tribulation, and not an event preceding or interrupting the Tribulation.
Second, it is very public and audible, rather than secret or hidden from those not “raptured”.
A pre-trib vs. post-trib discussion. Are you up to it? Am I up to it?
Dunno. I'm ready to relax on a Saturday night with a glass of merlot.
Do I dare say anything? I think if I knew there was a listening ear on the other end, regardless of pre-formed opinions, I might enter in. I only want to do this kind of stuff if I feel like I've really helped someone.
When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, who were obviously interested and concerned and not quite sure of the end times, Paul's main theme to them was that of comfort and reassurance. Among other things, he said, "For God hath not appointed us to wrath" (1 Thess 5:9). Whatever else the seven-year period of the Tribulation (the "beginning of sorrows" Matt 24:8) and the Great Tribulation ("the end" Matt 24:14) is, it is a time of "the wrath of the Lamb" (Rev 6:16) and "the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture" (Rev 14:10).
If you have questions about reconciling that with the Lord's return, I can help if you want.