Paul says in 1Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Now let's make some sense out of this, Verse 15, this is talking about the dead and those who are still alive and both are coming back with Jesus to meet him in the clouds. So if it was a rapture, it wouldn’t make sense at this point, for one the great tribulation is over, second, the dead is being raise also with those that are alive, which is now called the first resurrection. Verse 16. The Lord is descending which means coming down from the Third Heaven, the voice of archangel and trumpet are sound, and then the dead in Christ shall rise first. Which also means that there will arise the dead again at another time, and what’s the point of rapture at this point anyway…the dead is coming back and the great tribulation is over. Heres the good parts (Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump). Let's take a look at that trump that is sounded....1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Now we see how all this verses and scriptures connection with each other. Last Verse 17.
Now we will meet the Lord in the clouds, those that are dead in Christ and those who are still alive and made it out the great tribulation or out of the place of safety (wilderness). Let's go into 1Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.