The “Rapture thing” is the catching up of the church BEFORE the start of the Tribulation - which is the pouring out of God’s wrathful judgement upon the ungodly world system. The Bridegroom is removing His bride so that she/us are not suffering that wrath.
Some people think that there’s been no promise from God that believers will be spared persecution, and that is true. In fact, we should expect to undergo persecution, trials and testing because we are Christ’s. But the Tribulation is different. It is not going to be the devil’s wrath being poured out but Almighty God’s. There will be great tribulation such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be again. He promises that we are not appointed unto that wrath.
I’d rather stay through this “Tribulation” than get caught up with this so-called Rapture. Can you imagine what would happen if a martyr of the early church came up to you and asked how you were martyred and your reply would be “Well I was in the Walmart parking lot in the middle of summer with two baskets of groceries and I saw my car had a flat tire, baby screaming ... etc etc”
PS: Again, all the verses prior to this Rapture talk about the 2nd. Coming then come the verses following that are used as proof texts for this Rapture.