Ah yes, The Rapture… It is actually written in the Word in PLAIN WORDS. The problem with man’s fictional pre-trib version is that they can’t read, I guess. Shame it is, but true… also. Matt 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (KJV)

So, the modern pre trib fable which began with the Jesuits (but of course) in the 1500’s, wound through the sick dreaming lady in 1830, Margaret McDonald, lodged upon John Darby, and found modern acceptance with Scofield study bible notes, is what the many modern rapturists base their fantasy upon. And they swear by it. They do have two main problems that they can’t really explain though. If you ask them, they give no answer, just ’gotta accept on faith, brother… they always go back to the same passages from Paul in 1 and 2 Thess, and 1 Corinthians 15:50-52. The more creative brothers use many others, usually widely scattered from Gen to wherever. I guess to show one how many bible verses they can use in a final sermon.

Try as they may, however, a few normally asked questions stump them totally:
1) exactly who are the dead who rise first? 2) Are they all ‘saved‘? 3) if they are not ‘saved’ why do they rise first… I’m saved, so how long do I have to wait? And it just goes from there. When it is a fantasy, there can be no consistent answers to those questions.

So, the standard answer is simply ’Well dear brother. There are just some things we don’t know yet, just have faith’. LOL

O, Really?, well How about these, dear brother…

Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you ALL things. (KJV)

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you ALLthings, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (KJV)

And this, the VERY Clear Words from Jesus Prayer To the Father In Jn 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (KJV)

So, were you, dear reverends, gone to the rest room when these words were said?

Well, cheer up, for the Word is just about to answer those tough questions for you. But, be warned, your fantasy tale will not like the answers.

By the numbers:
1) the dead who rise first? -- ANS: There are exactly 144,000 of them

2) Are they all ‘saved‘? ANS: yep

3) … I’m saved, so how long do I have to wait? ANS: 3 ½ days to be changed, then 1000 Years before you enter the kingdom, (if you make it). Pick it up in Chapter 20, after the angel finishes Chapters 12-19 showing John what happened leading up to the end in Chapter 11. John did not understand all of it yet either. But there it is plain for the world to see.

CHAPTER 11 IS THE END. Chapters 12-20 “fill in the blanks” and Chapter 20 begins the millennium.

Read it and weep: Or realize what lies you wove and REPENT beforehand.

-- In case you are now partially seeing, note that V 7-8 below describe who the dead are. The 2 witnesses are the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia. they were sealed (Rev 14).
-- They are “raptured” in V 11 --- see the ’come up hither?’ see the rapture?
-- then, the rest of the bunch get some lumps before V 15. Notice the seventh trump? The last trump mentioned in the Word? The same LAST trump that Paul told you of In 1 Cor? Well, Hyar Tiz. All are changed then, just like was said.

Rev 11:3-15
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (KJV)

Sorry to be so abrupt, Bethel, but it is what it is. Time is short. Quit playing games.