Let’s take a look at the real biblical facts about the second coming of Christ.  Note: below is a picture of what the bible teaches about the coming of Christ and a list of the highlights concerning this biblical view.

So, the real biblical teaching says that, the anti-christ appears first, before Christ comes back to take the believers to heaven.       

II Thes 2  (v. 1) Now brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, (v. 2) not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled....as though the day of Christ had come. (v. 3) Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, (v. 4) who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

I Thes 4  (v. 15) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. (v. 16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.

(v. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Another verse that is worth mentioning about how Jesus comes back, is described in the book of Psalms: 

Psm 50  (v. 3) Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. 

Webster's Dictionary defines Tempestuous as: violent wind, turbulent, stormy, uproar.... Sounds too noisy to miss, can't see how they could cover this up secretly.   Let's look at another verse about how visible Christ will be:

Matt 24  (v. 27) For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. (v. 30) ....and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Rev 1  (v. 7) Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him....

Well, if every eye will see Him, how can it be a secret?   Let's now, take another look at 1st Thessalonians again and focus on the word "then" in reference to what tense it is?

I Thes 4  (v. 17) "Then" we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

The word “then” means that this happens right after something in verse 16.  ( the  NIV  uses the word “After that” we…shall be caught up )   What just happened in verse 16?

I Thes 4  (v. 16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

....the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout and the trumpet of God.... ( I Thes 4:16)

Then we….shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.... ( I Thes 4:17 )

Does that sound like “silent & secret”  or  “loud & visible”?

Attention: Does a thief in the night really only mean a secret rapture....or can it mean that He comes unexpectedly?

I Thes 5  (v. 1) But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

(v. 2) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

Whereas, a thief in the night can come secretly, they can also come unexpectedly!!  Which way does the bible really teach about this?  Comparing this verse with other verses, gives us a clue to what was actually meant!!

Matt 24  (v. 42) Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. (v. 43) But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. (v. 44) Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Does the bible really teach that we have a 2nd chance to get right with Him after we notice that He already came the 1st time and we missed it?   Is that the gospel that He taught when He was here on this earth?

A closer look at the bible will reveal that: This is not a secret or quiet coming, but a sudden one, He will come unexpectedly!!   Let's read that verse again.

I  Thes 5  (v. 2) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. (v. 3) For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

Who shall not escape?   The people who don't get to leave with Christ, when He comes back for us!!   It says "sudden destruction" comes upon them.   Let us now, compare that to another verse about the final end:

Rev 6  (v. 14) Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. (v. 15) And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, (v. 16) and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! (v. 17) For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

This is obviously talking about what happens when Christ comes back to this earth.  Now let's see what Christ says about our condition right before He comes back:

Rev 22  (v. 12) And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one....

And just before He comes, what is your condition?   It is described in the verse right before it, just read it for yourself:

Rev 22  (v. 11) He who is unjust, let him be unjust still....he who is righteous, let him be righteous still....

Whenever He comes back....you will stay that way....you will not have 7 years in advance to prepare for it.  There is no 2nd chance when Christ comes back!!