Where did Rapture Come From

Our modern understanding of rapture appears to have little or no connection with the eschatological event. However, the word is properly used of that event. Rapture is a state or experience of being carried away. The English word comes from a Latin word, rapio, which means to seize or snatch in relation to an ecstasy of spirit or the actual removal from one place to another. In other words, it means to be carried away in spirit or in body. The Rapture of the church means the carrying away of the church from earth to heaven.

The Greek word from this term “rapture” is derived appears in 1 Thessalonians 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."
translated “caught up.” The Latin translation of this verse used the word rapturo. The Greek word it translates is harpazo, which means to snatch or take away. Elsewhere it is used to describe how the Spirit caught up Philip near Gaza and brought him to Caesarea (Acts 8:39) "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."
and to describe Paul’s experience of being caught up into the third heaven
(2 Corinthians 12:2-4)
2.  For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
3.  And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 
4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

Thus there can be no doubt that the word is used in 1 Thessalonians 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."
to indicate the actual removal of people from earth to heaven.

There are two stages or phases within the process of the Second Coming.
These are separated by a 7-year period of time.

The Rapture is the next occurrence on Elohim’s calendar and is the literal, visible, and bodily return of Yahusha in the heavens. He shall return as he left.

(Acts 1:9-11)
9. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up (lifted up – 1384 Wycliffe)(harpazoet / lifted - Latin); and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Yahusha, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Also known as: Trump of Elohim
Along with a shout and the voice of the archangel, the trumpet will sound to summon the dead in Christ and the living believers to heaven.

(1 Thessalonians 4:16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Only believers will hear this trumpet as the Rapture is a silent Exodus. Trumpets in scripture were used as a summons to assemble people.

(Numbers 10:2) Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
Also used to announce Elohim's divine presence

(Exodus 19:16) And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

One can easily know how he departed by studying
(Luke 24:39) Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

He had a new resurrected body of flesh and bones a body that could be seen, touched, and fed.
(Luke 24:41-43)
41. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42. And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb.
43. And he took it, and did eat before them.

When he returns in the Heavenlies, all believers, dead and living, will also be taken bodily to meet him in the clouds. We shall be changed as this mortal body puts on immortality and is transformed to be like Yahusha body.

(1Corinthians 15:51-54)
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.
53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
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.

(Psalms 17:15) As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

(1 John 3:2) Beloved, now are we the sons of Elohim, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
This happens in the moment in a Twinkling of an Eye.
This event ends the church age and ushers in the Tribulation period. The Rapture of the church involves the resurrection of the Christian dead as well as the exit from earth of the believers living at that time.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Yahusha will God bring with him.
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.
16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (snatched Up-1384 Wycliffe)(raptus - Latin) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Regarding the Christian dead, the Bible teaches that the body is asleep in one place (the grave) whereas the soul is alive in another place (Heaven). To be “absent from the body” is to be present with the Lord.

(2 Corinthians 5:8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

When Christians return at the rapture, he brings those that sleep (are dead) with him.
(1 Thessalonians 4:14) For if we believe that Yahusha died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Yahusha will God bring with him.

How can he bring the dead with him and still come for the dead?

(1 Thessalonians 4:16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
The dead in Christ are in two places!! The souls and the spirits are with the Lord, but their bodies are in the grave. Hence Christ brings the dead (souls and spirits) with him so they may be reunited with their bodies. That is why the dead in Christ rise first.

The return of Christ for his church is a sign less and always immanent event. Even the New Testament writers expected the Lords return at any moment.
Philipians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Yahusha the Christ:

All signs of the Lords return have to do with the coming of Christ to set up his kingdom. They are only indicators of the approaching rapture because that went precedes the establishments of the kingdom by seven years… in fact, we must be raptured so, as to return with him. The moment the antichrist signs a seven-year peace treaty or otherwise known as the Tribulation period, will begin and a time table will be evident. Date setting will now be conclusive, and Christ’s return will no longer be imminent. It will be exactly 84 months or 2,520 days until Christ returns to establish His kingdom. The Rapture must proceed the Tribulation hour.

The Church is not to be the recipient of wrath. When one considers God’s purpose for the Tribulation, it is difficult to place the Bride of Christ into such a horrendous scene. Why should Christ Bride suffer the Judgments for the 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 vials found in Revelation Chapters 6,8,9,11,15,16, when the church can’t be found in the 3rd chapter of Revelation? No, the Tribulation hour is primarily a time of judgment upon a Christ-rejecting, God-rejecting world – Jew and Gentile.

(Ezekiel 20:37, 38)
37. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
38. And I will purge out ("choose out" 1384 Wycliffe) from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

(Micah 5:15) And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. Paul assured the Thessalonian Christians that they would not go through the Tribulation.
(1 Thessalonians 1:10) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Yahusha, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
(1 Thessalonians 5:9) For Elohim hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Yahusha the Christ,
(Revelation 3:10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
(Jerimiah 30:7) Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Although the church is not all it should be, the world is better because the church is present. The Holy Spirit, working through Christians, holds back the tide of evil sweeping the world. When his influence in this manner is removed at the Rapture, think of the wickedness that shall follow!

During the Tribulation Period on earth, the raptured Christians have an appointment with Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(2 Corinthians. 5:19) To wit, that Elohim was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

(Romans 14:10,12) 10. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
12. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to Elohim.

Rapture Views

Pre-Tribulation

Controversy surrounds the subject of the return of Christ for his church – whether it is before, during, and after the Tribulation period.

(Revelation 3:10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them ("Tempt men" – 1384 Wycliffe) that dwell upon the earth.

The seven churches in Revelation Chapters 2 & 3 represent the professing Church in seven successive epochs from the day of Pentecost to the time of the Lords return. Each church fits chronologically into its respective place in history. The sixth church Philadelphia escapes the Tribulation hour, but the seventh Laodicea is rejected by Christ. True believers, professing Christ, are kept from the hour of temptation that immerses our entire planet:
(1 Thessalonians 5:9) For Elohim hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation – ("Purchasing of Health" 1384 Wycliffe) by our Lord Yahusha the Christ,

orgē
or-gay'
From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment: - anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.

(Revelation 4:1) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up ("Ascend" - 1384 Wycliffe)(ascende huc - Latin) hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

ἀναβαίνω
anabainō
an-ab-ah'ee-no
From G303 and the base of G939; to go up (literally or figuratively): - arise, ascend (up), climb (go, grow, rise, spring) up, come (up).
Many believe the “Come up Hither” ("Ascend" -1384 Wycliffe) pictures the Rapture of the church prior to the beginning of earth’s holocaust.

The 24 elders represent believers of all dispensations, members of the royal priesthood.
(1 Peter 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;

Revelation chapters 4 & 5 are the direct outcome of the Rapture. The church is present in Heaven and the 24 elders or representatives of Gods people are singing about the blood of the lamb. They are arrayed in white and have received their crowns before the first seal of Judgment is broken in Rev Ch 6. The church can’t be found in the book of Revelation during any of the judgments, but is seen returning with the Savior in Revelation Ch 19 where the Tribulation concludes.

(2 Thessalonians 2:7, 8)
7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

When the Thessalonians Christians were fearful, thinking that perhaps they were experiencing the Day of the Lord or Tribulation.

(2 Thessalonians. 2:1-5)
1. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Yahusha the Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away ("departing away" 1384 Wycliffe), first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called Elohim, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Paul assured them that it couldn’t have come yet because there first had to be a departure from the faith and the antichrist had to be revealed. He further stated that the antichrist couldn’t be made manifest until the One who restrains the antichrist appearing was removed, namely the Holy Spirit

(2 Thessalonians 2:7, 8)
7. For the mystery of iniquity (private of wickedness 1384 Wycliffe) doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

The Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of believers, our bodies constitute his temple during the church age.
(1Corinthians 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of Elohim, and ye are not your own?

Therefore, when he ceases to hinder the appearing of the antichrist, his temple, the believers, must be removed via the Rapture.

The Tribulation is called “the Time of Jacobs Trouble”

(Jerimiah 30:7) Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out ("delivered" 1384 Wycliffe) of it.

(Romans 11:26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Daniel’s seventieth week in Daniel Ch. 9
In history, the first 69 weeks of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream involved Israel.

(Daniel 9:24) Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Why wouldn’t the seventieth or final week also involve Israel? Why revert to the church of the Lord Yahusha the Christ?

Mid Tribulation

Christians would pass through the first half of the Tribulation but be raptured at the Seventh trumpet judgment. This destroys the biblical teachings of imminence, which is that Yahusha could come "at any moment" meaning there are NO signs to occur, NO prophecies to be fulfilled before Yahusha returns for the rapture of the church

Partial Tribulation

This position is not concerned with the time of translation or Rapture in the relative to the Tribulation Period, but with the people being raptured. They believe that not all believers will be taken, but only those who are “watching and waiting” who have attained some plateau of spiritual standing that makes them ready. This undercuts Christ’s atonement which frees the sinner from condemnation and makes him acceptable to Elohim.

The distinction between law and grace is lost, as is the distinction between the church and Israel when passages intended for Israel are applied to the church. Nowhere in scripture teaching on rewards does the rapture appear as the reward for watching while an undeserving part of the body of Christ is left to suffer through the Tribulation, separated from the rest of the body. The body is one and can’t arrive by bits and pieces in heaven.

(1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

(Ephesians 5:30) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Remember after the Rapture, at the Bema Seat the bad in:

(1 Corinthians 3:15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he he shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Is judged with the good, and the ashamed are present

(1 John 2:28) And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

As far as works go, these couldn’t have been worthy or ready

Post Tribulation View

This view does not look for Christ to com for His own until after the tribulation. The Church is not looking for "the Blessed Hope" of the return of Christ, but judgments and horrors of the Tribulation Period.

This theory destroys both the doctrine of imminence and the teaching of Dispensationalism. The Rapture is not based on any specific set of signs because it is imminent. The Rapture is connected with imminency while the Revelation is not. The Rapture takes place in Revelation 4:1, and the signs begin in Revelation 6. The signs point to the Revelation, or Christ's return to the earth in (Rev 19:11), "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war".
This second phase or revelation of Christ is not based on the Bible teaching of imminence. Instead, one can definitely know when Christ’s return to earth will transpire by the signs pointing to it in Revelation, Chapters 6-18. The following passages mention Christ's coming for His own without any specific timetable:

Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Yahusha, which is "taken up" (taken up - Wycliffe 1384)(assumptus - Latin) from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Taken Up
analambanō
an-al-am-ban'-o
From G303 and G2983; to take up: - receive up, take (in, unto, up).

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Yahusha the Christ:
Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
1 Timothy 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Yahusha the Christ:
James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
1 Peter 3:3,4
3. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of Elohim of great price.

Error or change in 1611 KJV Pointing to Pre Tribulation Rapture
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
1. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Yahusha the Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away ("departing away" – 1384 Wycliffe), ("arise the first time" -Latin before translated) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called Elohim, or that is worshipped; so that he as Elohim sitteth in the temple of Elohim, shewing himself that he is Elohim.

This is one of the most misunderstood verses concerning the rapture - all because of a bad translation down the pike.
The context of the chapter is the Rapture, "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Yahusha the Christ and our gathering together to Him" - and the timing of the Tribulation, "as though the Day of Christ had come".

The Day of Christ, the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31) "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.", the Day of Wrath (Zephaniah 1:14-15) are terms for the Tribulation period.
14. So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. 
15. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

The word day here is not a 24 hour day as one might assume. The usage is likened to if you were to say, "Back in my day, we did not have access to free and informative websites to learn about Bible Prophecy. We had to buy books". Day refers to a time period. Here it is Daniel's 70th Week - the Tribulation Period.

Paul had written a first letter to the church of Thessalonica prior to this second letter and revealed the rapture to them in 1 Thessalonians 4. It seems a second letter was necessary to clear up confusion because someone had forged a letter in Paul's name telling them that they had missed the rapture and that the Day of the Lord had begun. Paul notes above that they were troubled by this - as they should have been had it been true.

This alone tells us that the early church was taught that they would NOT be going through the "Day of the Lord" - the Tribulation. This should be enough to convince any thinking person of the very early and true teaching of the pre-Tribulation rapture, but we can unpack much more evidence.

A Falling Away or The Departure?

Let us get this first point clear right out of the gate. The Word was NOT originally written in English. The Word was originally written in Aramaic/Hebrew and Greek and was translated into English more than one thousand years later. Latin preceded the English.

Read this carefully - ALL English Bibles are poor TRANSLATIONS of the Father's intended message and that is compounded by the fact that they have many errors. A true scholar will look to the original languages for the truth. The term "falling away" of the Bible translation above is improperly derived from the Greek noun apostasia. Departing away in Thesauraus abandon, starblast, disappear, escape, evacuate, exit, go, pull out, quit, remove, retire, vacate, withdraw.

The first seven English Bible translations of apostasia all most appropriately rendered the noun as either the "the departure" or "the departing".
Wycliffe Bible (1384)
Tyndale Bible (1526)
Coverdale Bible (1539)
Cranmore Bible (1539)
Breeches Bible (1576)
Beza Bible (1583)
Geneva Bible (1608)

Unfortunately, as time goes by, we see our English translations progressively faltering in greater and greater ways. Supervening these early Bibles, The King James Bible of 1611 was the first to actually change the above correct translations from "departure" to "falling away". To this day, no good reason has ever been given.

It is terribly unfortunate that most English translators have followed the KJV in departing from translating apostasia as "departure". This has caused much confusion as to the timing of the coming of our Messiah and our gathering to Him. It has also darkened the abilities of many to rightly divide the Word.

You may have noticed that many combatants of the factual pre-Tribulation Rapture pitch their tent in the "KJV Only" camp. This cult (as many have called it) mistakenly worships a translation which they have been deceived to believe is somehow perfect. Let me assure you that no translation of Scripture is without error. Man cannot help but tamper with it. Only the original books and letters by the original authors are perfect.

Many of the later translations continue the confusion. We find translators have used the words "apostasy", "revolt" and "rebellion" and push the view that it is "apostasy from the faith" in the latter days. However, extensive studies in the Scriptures confirm that this word in almost every case means "departure from" - a physical departure. It cannot be an abstract departure from faith in this context. The facts give a staggering amount of weight that this "departure" is the very physical rapture itself - the changing of bodies from corruptible to incorruptible
(1 Corinthians 15:51-53) BEFORE the Man of Sin is revealed.
(1 Cor. 15:51-52)
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.

1 Cor 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The Latin Vulgate - St. Jerome's Latin Bible translation from the late fourth-century (prior to all English translations above) used discessio which translates as "departure". E. Schuyler English, one of our finest Greek scholars translates this word in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as "the departure". The Revealing of the Man of Sin

Let me be clear. The Man of Sin - The Lawless One - The Antichrist, will be revealed to the world at the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation period whether those left behind know who he is or not. Most people will not understand who he really is even when he sits in the newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and declares himself to be Elohim
(2 Thessalonians 2:4) "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called Elohim, or that is worshipped; so that he as Elohim sitteth in the temple of Elohim, shewing himself that he is Elohim.".

These unfortunate souls likely failed to read their Bibles - and mocked those who did. If they were to understand who he is, and if they were in their right mind, they would never follow him, take his mark or worship his image (abomination/graven image/idol). However, Scripture clearly states that many will eternally burn in the Lake of Fire for doing so (Revelation 13:16, 14:9-11, 16:2, 19:20). Remember, he is the beast and a deceiver.

Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Rev 14:9. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Rev 14:10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 14:11. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Rev 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

When the first seal is broken in Revelation 6 and a rider (The Man of Sin) on a white horse hits the world stage, the Tribulation period begins and the Man of Sin is considered revealed.

In the Book of Revelation, the picture of the rapture is shown to us in chapter 4 when a Voice like a trumpet calls John up into heaven immediately after the church age of chapters 2 & 3. The Tribulation begins in Chapter 6. Two, three, four and five precede six. Chronology.

Remember what Paul wrote in his first letter to Thessalonica when revealing the Rapture to them in
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, "Comfort one another with these words". Paul's intention was to make clear to us and them (the church body) that the church is not appointed to the wrath of the Tribulation period. He stated this early in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Yahusha, which delivered us from the wrath to come." and again in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 "For Elohim hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Yahusha the Christ,".

Paul clearly intended for them to be comforted by that fact. Notice 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 covers the Rapture and THEN chapter 5 covers the Tribulation. Chronology.

The chronology of events is then reiterated by Paul for even more clarification and comfort to the church in
2 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 
8. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

where he states that the One who restrains, the Ruah haQodesh (Holy Spirit) will be removed (same as the departure) and THEN the Lawless One will be revealed - Rapture first THEN the Tribulation period.

Mistranslation Clarified

Understanding the precise meaning of the Greek word apostasia ends the debate. If not for an irresponsible translation from the 1611 KJV, there would hardly be any confusion as to the timing of the pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church. Just the root word alone "apo" denotes movement away from the surface of an object. "Apo" denotes movement away from the surface of an object.
if your Bible has one of the above mistranslations, "falling away", "apostasy", "revolt" or "rebellion" you can confidently make the appropriate correction and simply write "departure/rapture" in the margin of
2 Thessalonians 2:3. The departure/rapture comes first and THEN the Man of Sin is revealed. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.