I'll show you the principal, for interpretation is based on cross-referencing and comparing scripture:
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"They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."
"But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
"Because you have kept the word of My patient endurance, I also will keep you out of the hour of the trial being about to come upon the whole inhabited world, to try those dwelling upon the earth."
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So, we have scripture stating that "Jesus rescues believers from the coming wrath, that we are not appointed to suffer God's coming wrath and we have Jesus' promise that he will keep believers "out of" the hour of trail, which is another designation for the day of the Lord, the time of God's wrath.
That said, since we cannot go through God's wrath and the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments are how God's wrath is going to be carried out, then we cannot be on the earth when those judgments are taking place and must be gathered prior to the opening of the first seal.
Another example would be found in Rev.19:6-8 where the church/bride is seen in heaven during the time of God's wrath, receiving her fine linen, white and clean. Then in Rev.19:14, we she the armies of heaven wearing that same fine linen, white and clean and following the Lord out of heaven riding on white horses.
Since scripture shows that the church/bride is already in heaven and follows the Lord out of heaven to end the age, then the church cannot be gathered after Christ returns, because the church is already with him.
Another truth that is relative to your question is as follows:
Revelation 1 thru 3 = Ekklesia/Church, but no Hagios/Saints
Revelation 4 onward = Hagios/Saints, but no Ekklesia/Church
The church is never mentioned anywhere during the narrative of God's wrath. Only those great tribulation saints are referred to who are introduced in Rev.7:9-17. These are those who believe in Christ after the church as been gathered and during the time of God's wrath and the beasts reign.