The Bible teaches that the Rapture (to be caught up - the seizing up of believers from the earth) could happen at a contemporary period or in the near future. Also, no-one will be able to know the date of this supernatural event with any degree of accuracy. The Rapture is not a datable event, other than a very loose sense of impending arrival based on the fulfilment of future Biblical prophecy. In reality the Rapture can happen any moment between a contemporary period and the start of the Great Tribulation, which will last three and a half years, and forms the last part of a broader seven year period of ‘tribulation’.
Rapture (1 Thes 4:13-18).
It is an exciting reality that there very few events to be fulfilled before the rapture of Christ's Church: other than political manoeuvres and a temple building in David’s city.
These micro events inlcude many geophysical and socio economic 'perilous times'. These are merely the birth pains of the end times: convulsions of earthquakes, hurricanes, and increase of violence.
The rapture is a seizing up of living believers from the earth before the Great Tribulation begins properly. At the time of rapture there will be a duality of circumstances. As described above there will be the sign of the times - described as birth pains. Secondly it will be business (and culture) as usual. In theological terms this is cited ‘as in the days of Noah’.
This intervention in Luke 17: 26-30 will be a dramatic event. Jesus from clouds of glory will shout "Come up here!" (Rev. 4:1-2). All true Christians will instantly be with Jesus above the earth. (1 Cor. 15: 51-55 and 1 Thes. 4:13-18.)
Literally millions of people will be removed to the Lord and will be taken back to heaven, where He has prepared a place of eternal dwelling (Jn. 14:1-3).