Biblical explanation
Jesus compared His coming to lightning: "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:27 Revelation says: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him." Revelation 1:7 Paul describes the event with a "shout," "the voice of the archangel," and "the trump of God." The dead in Christ are raised, and the living righteous are caught up together with them. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Jesus also said that His angels would gather His elect "with a great sound of a trumpet." Matthew 24:31. Paul connects "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" with "our gathering together unto him" in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. The Bible clearly teaches a gathering of God's people to Christ. It does not explicitly say that this gathering occurs secretly while the world continues normally for years afterward.
Key takeaway
The great controversy reveals God's character as Christ ministers as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The dead await the resurrection, Christ's return will be visible and personal, and prophecy calls believers to faithful mission rather than date-setting or fear.