“At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.” Daniel 12 1-2
This scripture speaks of the Tribulation and the Rapture of the Church.. The Tribulation is a natural consequence of the Rapture. You may think the world today is degenerating into rampant greed and immorality, and indeed it is. When all Christians are removed from the earth, the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit will be completely absent. The result will be horrific. Jesus Himself described what will happen next: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:21–22). Christians will escape the Tribulation. Christians will escape the seven-year nightmare of the Tribulation. I believe the Bible clearly teaches that one of the coming great events in the fulfillment of prophecy concerns the Church. This is the personal, bodily return of the Lord in the air to remove His waiting Church from the earth and to reward them according to their works. This will take place before the Tribulation period during which time the judgments of God will be poured out upon the unbelieving world. I believe there are more Scriptures to support the imminent return of Christ for His Church prior to the Tribulation than during or after it: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)