Paul addresses those throughout history who persecuted Christians. In Matthew 24:28, Jesus discusses this group's fate. God commands the earth's birds to gather and consume the bodies of the many people who will be killed upon the return of Christ. The elect will be gathered by angels from all four corners of the earth and transported to Jerusalem. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, he will be accompanied by all the saints (the entire Church).
This raises the question of how the Church ascended to heaven prior to the return of Jesus. Paul also recalls this third group, which consists of the church saints who accompany Jesus. Before Christ's return, preparations have been made for the marriage of the Bride of Christ to the Lamb. No Church Saints will be absent at that time, indicating that not only deceased believers will accompany Jesus at His return, but all Church Saints will also be present. When and how does the entire church, living and dead, ascend to heaven prior to the return of Christ?
Jesus refers to this day as "the coming of the Lord," implying His Second Coming. However, we know that Jesus is not referring to that because the circumstances of the present day are so different. According to Jesus' explanation, we will examine this special day in three parts.
According to Revelation, Jesus will return at the end of the seven-year Tribulation. This day is radically distinct from the day of His Second Coming because the circumstances are diametrically opposed. God informed Noah in Genesis 6 that he would destroy all life on earth within 120 years, and he instructed Noah to construct an ark to save himself and his family. When Jesus states that "that day" will occur during the days of Noah, he cannot be referring to His Second Coming. Even though Jesus refers to this day as the return of the Lord, it is a day that is radically unique.
It is a return to deliver the Church to heaven before the Tribulation's judgments in order to save the Church. The example of Noah will be revisited as we move into the second portion of this day: how it unfolds.
Parable of The Fig Tree