Hi GB,
Matthew 24:29-31 is referring to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, not the Rapture. We know this because we are told in Matthew 24:30, "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
At the Rapture, only believers will see the Lord in the clouds. For the Lord will come, we know not when, like a "thief in the night" and take us, snatch up, rapture, His church from earth. This will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52). In other words, the Lord will appear in the clouds -- then, we Christians will be snatched up, raptured, in a split second -- so fast that the world will not know what has happened. To them, suddenly millions, maybe billions, of people were there -- then, quicker than they could blink their eyes -- they were gone.
In the case of the Rapture -- He will come FOR His church.
Now, those who have read of or been told of the Rapture -- will begin to put two and two together and realize what has happened. But, unfortunately, these folks, even though they see the Light, will be left behind and will have to endure the Tribulation. We know from the Bible that the harvest of souls, those saved, during the Tribulation will be a number too great to count. In other words, the Rapture will cause many to reevaluate their lives -- and get on the path to glory with God. But, still, these new Christians will have to suffer, and many die, be martyred for their faith, in the Tribulation.
Yet, at His Second Coming -- all the world will see Him coming in glory -- and He will be coming WITH His church, the Bride of Christ. All the world will see Him during His Second Coming and they will mourn -- for they will know that it is now time to pay the piper -- to settle accounts with the Son of God.
Yes, Christians will endure the Tribulation -- but, only those who became believers AFTER the Rapture.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
