is widely and hotly debated in some circles of Christianity. The Book of Revelation doesn't make it sound like we are going to be spared. As a matter of fact it goes out of it's way to remind us that we need to remain steadfast in the face of what is coming. The one mention of being taken up into the clouds in Thessalonians is far from the last word on the subject. It would appear when taken into context it is just a reminder that the dead will rise again on the Day of Judgment. It doesn't give any indication of what order of events will take place before or after that event. So teaching that believers will be spared torment when they are raptured away is most likely completely wrong.
1Thessalonians 4:13-18
Believers Who Have Died
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
The only thing the Bible really promises is that eventually we will not be eternally separated from God when the world ceases to exist. It also makes it very clear we, as believers, are to expect hardship and even persecution. And we are somehow expected to remain firm in our faith. It doesn't tell us who, what, where, when, but it does say why. For anyone who needs literal and solid answers this is a real challenge.
That's why some people go through all sorts of mental gymnastics to make God conform to their world view. And some of those people are teaching doctrine that is simply nowhere to be found in the New Testament. The biggest challenge to Christianity comes from within it's own ranks. It's been that way since the First Century and it will be that way until the end.
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