Mainstream theological interpretation of the rapture

In Christian eschatology, the "rapture" refers to the belief that, at a specific moment in the future, believers in Jesus Christ will be taken up, or "caught up," to meet Christ in the air. This event is typically associated with the end times, before or during a period of tribulation and judgment on Earth. The concept is based primarily on several New Testament passages, particularly:
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:
"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. 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."
1 Corinthians 15:51-52:
"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." Main elements of the real rapture belief:
Sudden Event: The rapture is often portrayed as a sudden, supernatural event that can happen at any moment. Believers are instantly taken up to be with Christ, disappearing from the Earth.
Resurrection of the Dead: The dead in Christ will rise first. This means that those who have died as Christians will be resurrected, and their bodies will be transformed into glorified, imperishable bodies.
Transformation of the Living: Those believers who are still alive at the time of the rapture will be transformed, receiving glorified bodies without experiencing physical death.
Meeting Christ in the Air: Both the resurrected dead and the transformed living believers will meet Christ in the air, symbolizing their joining with Him before the period of judgment (tribulation) begins on Earth.
Escape from the Tribulation: In many interpretations, particularly in the pre-tribulation rapture view, believers are taken up before a time of great suffering and judgment on Earth, referred to as the tribulation. This belief holds that Christians will be spared from the wrath of God that will be poured out on the Earth.
Second Coming of Christ: While the rapture is distinct from the second coming of Christ, in some interpretations (like post-tribulation views), the rapture and Christ's return occur simultaneously, meaning believers are caught up to meet Christ as He returns to Earth to establish His kingdom.
There are different views within Christianity about the timing and nature of the rapture:
Pre-tribulation rapture: Believers are taken before the tribulation begins.
Mid-tribulation rapture: The rapture occurs in the middle of the tribulation.
Post-tribulation rapture: Believers are taken at the end of the tribulation when Christ returns.
Significance of the Rapture in Christian Theology
Hope for Believers: The rapture is viewed as a moment of great hope, promising believers that they will be with Christ and spared from future suffering.
End of the Church Age: Many theologians see the rapture as marking the end of the "church age," a period in history when God's focus is on the Christian Church. After the rapture, God's attention shifts to fulfilling prophecies concerning Israel and the final judgment.