Biblical explanation
Paul writes: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God." 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Then he says that the resurrected righteous and living believers will be: "caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." 1 Thessalonians 4:17 The word commonly translated "rapture" comes from the Latin translation of the idea of being "caught up." The biblical event is therefore real, but Scripture presents it in connection with Christ's visible return, the resurrection, the trumpet, and the gathering of His people. Scripture clearly teaches that believers will be caught up to meet Christ. The word "rapture" itself is not found in the Bible, and Scripture does not explicitly describe a separate secret coming years before Christ's visible return.
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.