It is true that the term "day of the Lord" can refer to more than one thing depending on the context of what you are reading. But for sure the term does refer to the second coming of the Messiah. In 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 are definitely talking about the second coming of Messiah, and we agree that at that time the saints will be caught up into the air to meet Him, but the verses in question never say that we will go to heaven, simply that we will always be with Him, it doesn't say where. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 does not explain what happens after we are caught up into the air, but the prophet Zechariah does.
Zechariah 14:1-5
1. Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst.
2. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3. Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle.
4. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
5. Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You.
the term "day of the lord" here is also speaking of the scond coming of Messiah. Notice that at that time Zechariah tells us He will come down, set His feet on the mount of Olives, it will split making a valley. And at this point Messiah will come down and "His saints with Him". 1 Thessalonians tells us that when Messiah returns the saints will be caught up into the air to meet Yahushua, the dead in Messiah first then those who are still alive, Zechariah tells us that after that Yahushau will come down on Jerusalem, with us who had just met Him in the air, (His saints)to begin His reign on earth. Who else could Zechariah be refering to as "saints" if not us? If you believe that the saints will be going to and living in Heaven you will need to provide Scripture to prove it brother.
Zechariah 14:1-5
1. Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst.
2. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3. Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle.
4. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
5. Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You.
the term "day of the lord" here is also speaking of the scond coming of Messiah. Notice that at that time Zechariah tells us He will come down, set His feet on the mount of Olives, it will split making a valley. And at this point Messiah will come down and "His saints with Him". 1 Thessalonians tells us that when Messiah returns the saints will be caught up into the air to meet Yahushua, the dead in Messiah first then those who are still alive, Zechariah tells us that after that Yahushau will come down on Jerusalem, with us who had just met Him in the air, (His saints)to begin His reign on earth. Who else could Zechariah be refering to as "saints" if not us? If you believe that the saints will be going to and living in Heaven you will need to provide Scripture to prove it brother.
We all have understanding from the LORD but not one of us has complete understanding
which is why we are to speak with each other and remind one another of the scriptures