Scriptures Regarding the Pre Great Tribulation Rapture

[ChristB4Us]

This is His warning to the church at Thyatira to repent or else be cast into the bed of the coming great tribulation.

Now if all Christians are supposed to go through the great tribulation, then this warning is moot as the consequence is regardless and so why would Jesus say this unless the rapture is before the great tribulation for why some saved believers will be left behind for when God judges His House first?

Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

 

[ChristB4Us]

Here is Jesus exhorting this church in Philadelphia to hold fast or else they will not be kept from the hour of temptation that shall try all that dwell upon the earth; hence left behind on earth, the temptation to take the mark of the beast to buy & sell to survive in that great tribulation from which any that take the mark, will be cast into the lake of fire, no matter what per Revelation 14:9-11.

So there is more consequence than the loss of your crown as seen in the warning to the church at Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-25

Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

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.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

 

[ChristB4Us]

Paul gives the same warning about becoming a castaway and not just lose the reward of crown for engaging in the flesh.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

[ChristB4Us]

Paul warns believers about what they build on that foundation laid by Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 3:10 and although that foundation remains regardless of what was built on that foundation and cannot be moved Hebrews 12;22-29, thus salvation is assured, but anyone that sows to the works of the flesh, and heresy is one of them per Galatians 5:19-21, they defile the temple of God which is their physical bodies per 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 for why God will destroy that temple hence physical death per 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 although they are still saved per 1 Corinthians 3:15 when left behind in that day 1 Corinthians 3:13.

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

 

[ChristB4Us]

That is why Jesus Christ is warning believers to be ready or else be cut off and left behind with the unbelievers Luke 12:40-46 when He sends that fire on the earth Luke 12:49 as those unrepentant BUT saved believers will get stripes per the measure of knowledge they had for not being ready Luke 12:47 and lesser stripes for the knowledge they did not have for not being ready, Luke 12:48 but they are still His servants for why they are getting stripes.

Luke 12:40-49 for full reading.

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 12:40-49 - King James Version

The purpose of the stripes for why He still addresses them as His "servants" in Luke 12;47-48 with Hebrews 12:6 is so that they may be partakers of His holiness per Hebrewsc12:10 for not resisting sin Hebrews 12:4 by not looking to Jesus Christ daily to help them lay aside every weight ( provision for the flesh ) as well as the sin daily in thought, word, and deed Hebrews 12:1-2

Hebrews 12:1-10 for full reading.

Bible Gateway passage: Hebrews 12:1-10 - King James Version

We do not run that race to obtain salvation since those left behind are still saved, thus that would become a work of iniquity in denying Him as our Saviour, but we run that race by faith in Jesus Christ in living that reconciled relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, as He is our Good Shepherd & Friend to help us resist sin & walk in fellowship with the Father & the Son.

 

[ChristB4Us]

The reason why Jesus Christ will excommunicate those not found abiding in Him & His words from attending the Marriage Supper in Heaven can be seen by how God commanded through Paul for the church to excommunicate the unrepentant brother down here.

1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

So what the church is supposed to do in order to maintain fellowship & communion by, so will God definitely do for the Marriage Supper above.

8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Notice how the offending member is still called a brother in verse 11? Paul did not give the condemning judgment that he is not a brother or not a Christian or not a true believer. He simply stated to not eat with him & thus excommunicate him from the assembly as judging that brother in correcting him as a wicked person in the hopes that such excommunication would lead him to repentance.

 

[Dave G]

Now if all Christians are supposed to go through the great tribulation, then this warning is moot as the consequence is regardless and so why would Jesus say this unless the rapture is before the great tribulation for why some saved believers will be left behind for when God judges His House first?

Please read Matthew 24 and Mark 13:

" Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." ( Matthew 24:29-31 ).


" But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." ( Mark 13:24-27 ).

When is His second coming?
My friend, it's answered in the above.

May God bless you.

 

[ChristB4Us]

Please read Matthew 24 and Mark 13:

" Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." ( Matthew 24:29-31 ).


" But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." ( Mark 13:24-27 ).

When is His second coming?
My friend, it's answered in the above.

May God bless you.

Hi Brother Dave G

Matthew 24th chapter has Jesus answering 3 questions put to Him from His disciples and so discernment is needed as to which answer goes to which question since He is not giving them in order. Same would have to apply for mark 13th chapter.

There is tribulation which we are living in now in these latter days per John 16:33 & then there is the great tribulation that saved believers will be cast into Revelation 2:18-25 if they do not look to Him for help to depart from all iniquity,

Your references refers to the tribulation of the days we are living in NOW with false prophets and apostasy abounding for why many are falling away from the faith in these latter days as prophesied in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 & 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

Now consider that your references has the raptured saints as meeting the Lord in the clouds, right? It aligns with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Okay then.... in Revelation 19:1-10 there is that Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven verse 9.

But in Revelation 19:11-21 Heavens opens again, for when He comes back with the saints to do battle with the world's armies marching unto Jerusalem. This aligns with His feet touching down on the Mount of Olives in Zechariah 14:1-5.

Then after that battle is done and all over with and Satan is in the pit for a thousand years, per Revelation 20:1-3, then this so called "first resurrection" takes place as describing those that went through the great tribulation being resurrected in Revelation 20:4-6. The apostle John explained his use of the term first resurrection in verse 5 by explaining that this resurrection was to happen first before the rest of the dead are resurrected later on at the Great White Throne Judgment.

That means Jesus is on earth with the pre great tribulation raptured saints after having done battle with the world's armies marching unto Jerusalem and having Satan in the pit for a thousand years before that "first resurrection" takes place.

Jesus is not meeting those saints resurrected after the great tribulation in the air.

Your scriptural references refers to the days we are living in now as a warning for believers to be ready with His help or else.

May God bless you too, brother Dave G.

 

[37818]

Well, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 the rapture is post resurrection. John 6:44, . . . I will raise him up at the last day.

 

[Dave G]

Your scriptural references refers to the days we are living in now as a warning for believers to be ready with His help or else.

I'll try one more time.
Let's take a look in Mark 13 at the part of the passage prior to what I gave you in the above:

" But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains:
15 and let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter [therein], to take any thing out of his house:
16 and let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19 For [in] those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not:
22 for false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things." ( Mark 13:14-22 ).

According to the above, and including the whole of Mark 13:14-27, I see the abomination of desolation ( Anti-christ ) that is spoken of in Daniel taking place
Then comes the Tribulation.
Immediately after that, Christ sends forth His angels to gather His elect from the four corners of both Heaven and earth.

Putting all that together and using what is spoken of in both Matthew 24 and Mark 13 as an overall framework, I plug in the events of Zechariah 10 through Zechariah 14, plus 1 Thessalonians 4 and Revelation 19 ( as well as many others ) as they are described.
So, after years of study I now clearly see ( but did not always ):

First comes Anti-Christ, then comes "the Great Tribulation", then comes His second coming and "Rapture" where we are caught up together with Him in the clouds, and His elect then come to the earth with Him to rule and reign for 1,000 years... with Him sitting on His father David's physical throne at Jerusalem, His Father God is still in Heaven on His throne, and Christ is in the new temple spoken of in Ezekiel.

You don't see that when you read the words for yourself?
OK.


Nevertheless, I wish you well, sir.

 

[ChristB4Us]

Well, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 the rapture is post resurrection. John 6:44, . . . I will raise him up at the last day.

Thanks for sharing, Brother 37818 but consider this;

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Is there an order to this resurrection of the body of Christ with the firstfruits being at the re great tribulation rapture event and they that be Christ at His coming?

If so, can John 6:40 be applying the last day in respect to the firstfruits in their last day and those that be Christ in their last day?

We have 2 kinds of eternal inheritance that exists in His House.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Those who do not depart from iniquity will be left behind to die, but their spirits will be with the Lord in Heaven to wait for their resurrection after the great tribulation as vessels unto dishonor, vessels of wood and earth, to serve the King of kings on earth.

Again, another reference for 2 kinds of saints in that kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

So those who break even the least of His commandments and teaches others so are condemned as least in the kingdom of Heaven. Such a one would be condemned for being workers of iniquity for why they would be denied by Him & left behind.

So that is why I see last day as in respect to the two fold of His sheep from the one that followed His voice and the ones that went astray that followed a stranger's voice as they are His sheep as being of that other fold that did not follow His voice as He says He MUST bring them because they are His sheep and He will finish His work even in those left behind.

John 10:1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

It is akin to Matthew 25:1-13 where there are ten virgins that ARE the kingdom of heaven but five missed out on the wedding reception for being out to the market seeking to be filled with extra oil and thus a work of iniquity for why He did not know them, and so denied by Him to attend the Marriage Supper and yet still in that kingdom of Heaven.

 

[ChristB4Us]

I'll try one more time.
Let's take a look in Mark 13 at the part of the passage prior to what I gave you in the above:

" But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains:
15 and let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter [therein], to take any thing out of his house:
16 and let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19 For [in] those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not:
22 for false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things." ( Mark 13:14-22 ).

Let's begin with the chapter;

Mark 13:1And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Matthew reported 3 questions.

Matthew 24:13 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Now the questions were in response to what He has said regarding the Temple they were looking at. Notice how He is not answering that question right away?

I challenge you to find where He did answer when that Temple was going to fall.

So this is why discernment is needed because He is referring to the days prior to the rapture as the tribulation and the days of the great tribulation afterwards and He is not giving the answers in order as He goes back and forth answering those questions.

Now getting back to Mark 13th chapter; look at verse 10

10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Same as Matthew's account

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

After the gospel is published all over the world, then we read about the abomination of desolation both in Mark & Matthew, right?

Now look at Revelation 14:1-11 The first 5 verses testify of those "redeemed" as in raptured from the earth that makes up His personal choir in Heaven. They are not the only ones raptured, but that is who makes up His personal choir.

Then Revelation 14:6-7 is that angel with the everlasting gospel that spreads it everywhere all over the world so that no one has the excuse of not knowing the gospel.

Then the end comes with the fall of Babylon in Revelation 14:8 with Revelation 18:1-24 in detail with the left behind saints and why the voice of the bride and bridegroom will not be heard in her any more because the rapture has come & gone.

Then Revelation 14:9-11 has the 3rd angel warning everyone of the consequence for taking the mark of the beast which is the lake of fire to burn for all eternity.

These 3 angels sets up the hour of temptation that shall try all remaining on the earth.

So yeah... the gospel is published everywhere in the world and then that abomination of desolation exposes himself in that Holy of Holies in that third Temple built in the middle of that great tribulation.

It gets confusing because His answers are sometimes overlapping in answering the questions put to Him from His disciples, but it is a challenge as to when He answered that question as to when that Temple they were seeing would be thrown down.

I wish you well, too, Brother Dave G.

 

[37818]

Is there an order to this resurrection of the body of Christ with the firstfruits being at the re great tribulation rapture event and they that be Christ at His coming?

The rapture is post resurrection. And the resurrection is post His second appearing. His second appearing is post tribulation.

 

[ChristB4Us]

The rapture is post resurrection. And the resurrection is post His second appearing. His second appearing is post tribulation.

Well, brother, I had address your scripture and was able to align them with what I am sharing here and so if you believe I am not rightly dividing the word of truth here, then address the scriptures I have shared with you ad try to align them with your view.

 

[37818]

Well, brother, I had address your scripture and was able to align them with what I am sharing here and so if you believe I am not rightly dividing the word of truth here, then address the scriptures I have shared with you ad try to align them with your view.

Slow down brother. Scripture doesn't contradict itself. There is only one second appearing. Titus 2:13, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; . . .
1 John 3:2, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, 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.

 

[37818]

@ChristB4Us,
Somehow I am not hearing something in your view past my view.

 

[ChristB4Us]

Slow down brother. Scripture doesn't contradict itself. There is only one second appearing. Titus 2:13, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; . . .
1 John 3:2, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, 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.

I know scripture does not go against scripture but I believe not all scripture is being applied to see the truth on this matter for why how you are applying scripture is short-sighted, no offense since you are not alone in that view you hold.

Titus 2:13 & 1 John 3:2 must be applied to Luke 20:34-36

Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Those worthy are pertaining to the firstfruits of the resurrection who can never die nor marry,.

But those resurrected after the great tribulation has to eat from the tree of life for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

So why would those resurrected after the great tribulation need to eat from the tree of life?

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Does that tell you indirectly that the power of the first death, is still over them for why they, and the children coming from them, would need to eat from the tree of life??

Only those resurrected after the great tribulation do not have the power of the second death over them but the generations coming from them will have that hanging over them because when Satan is released from the pit after a thousand years, that generation will choose to either remain loyal to Christ or defect to Satan and we can know why the power of the second death will be over them.

Anyway, if you can explain how those resurrected after the great tribulation has to eat from the tree of life when two of your references along with Luke 20:34-36 says they can never die and therefore have no need to eat from the tree of life to align with your view, please do so. Not sure how you can though.

 

[ChristB4Us]

@ChristB4Us,
Somehow I am not hearing something in your view past my view.

Well with your quote below, maybe we need to clarify our position before we exchange some more in the Lord's iron sharpen iron ministry that is His to perform.

The rapture is post resurrection. And the resurrection is post His second appearing. His second appearing is post tribulation.

 

[37818]

Well with your quote below, maybe we need to clarify our position before we exchange some more in the Lord's iron sharpen iron ministry that is His to perform.

How do you understand 1 Thessalonians 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.

ου μη ? φθασωμεν ?

 

[ChristB4Us]

How do you understand 1 Thessalonians 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.

I believe that 1 Thessalonians 4:15 is conditional based on the exhortation at the beginning of the chapter because if any brethren despise God by living in unrepentant sinful living, God will deny them that verse 15. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

That would apply to the dead N.T. saints if they had died unrepentant for living in sin. So that exhortation that applies to brethren abiding in Him, that event in verse 15 is for them and those that have passed on that were abiding in Him unto death.

BUT in relation to our topic, they were meeting the Lord in the clouds when He descend with a shout. He is not on earth which is the event in Revelation 20:4-6 after dealing with the world's armies marching unto Jerusalem in Revelation 19:11-21.