I'm saying, take the straightforward words of Christ, and forget all that other obfuscation.
Where is the word "rapture" found in the Bible?
It is a concept manufactured by modern fiction writers.
It's on the same level as the Da Vinci Code.
Winston, there are many Christians who share your belief/opinion that there is no Rapture. Some believe that because there is no literal word "Rapture" in the scriptures that the event doesn't happen.
I do though, as a Christian, believe in what is termed as the Rapture even though the word does not appear in scripture. I do believe that the event is described in no less than three areas for what it is. Here are three of the verses that I personally believe describe and predict the Rapture. One (the first) is from Christ own words and the second is Paul's writings then the Apostle John.
from Christ Words in Matthew 24
Matthew 24:30-31 (NLT)
{30} And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
{31} And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
from the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NLT)
{16} For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.
{17} Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
then from John in Revelation the reporting of seeing the actual results of the Rapture or above two verses played out before his own eyes.
Revelation 7:9-14 (NIV)
{9} After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
{10} And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
{11} All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
{12} saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
{13} Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?"
{14} I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
I will agree that the word Rapture does not appear as such however what it means, to be caught up is what I believe the above verses attest to and reflect. These are some of the reasons that I personally believe the Rapture to be a valid New Testament teaching but just as there is much debate among Christians as to if it will occur or if that's what the scriptures mean there is much debate about the timing of the rapture.
The rapture is considered, by many including myself, to be a fulfillment of God's promise, to the Church and His Saints, that we/they will not enter into His wrath or see God's wrath but that we will be protected from it, in much the same way that Noah and his family were offered protection from God's wrath (and judgment) of the flood against mankind and the world then. It is my personal belief that in much the same way as God protected Noah and his family God's people, in the end days before God releases His wrath upon the world again, His protection will be given. To the Jews first, in their sealing, foretold in Revelation 7:1-8 and then to the Church and body of believers both those who have passed (died) and those that remain alive till that day (that generation) when the cosmic signs (Revelation 6:12 & Matthew 24:29) occur signifying the Day of the Lord has come when God's wrath will yet again be released upon those unfortunate ones that are alive to experience it.
I'm sure you have reasons you believe there will be no rapture and for the sake of curiosity and my own knowledge I'd love to hear what is the most convincing points or Scriptures that lead you to believe there will not be a rapture.