The unfolding of events of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, which Christains like to refer to as the rapture, is somewhat mysterious.  Many have jumped on Paul's mystery passage in 1 Cor 15:51-52  (how we will be changed incorruptible in an instant, even in the twinkling of an eye) and tried to apply this to all three events of Thessalonians.  This is a little shallow and hurts our preparation for this fabulous time.  I am not adamant that the events will unfold as described below.  It seems truly as Paul said a little bit of a mystery, but I think we can gather much useful intelligence by examining some related scripture.  A little knowledge may help us greatly through this period.
 
I believe a careful reading of the events in the Parable of the 10 virgins (Mat 25: 1-13) as well as the events of Hezekiah's Second Passover in 2 Chron 30 (whole chapter) reveal much detail in how this mystery might unfold.  [There is a similar feast in Solomon's temple dedication in the seventh month, found in 1Kgs 8, but this is a fall feast. The in chp 9, God appears (comes down in a dream) to Solomon and establishes his and his father David's throne.  I think this has another fulfillment associated with Jesus' return as King.]
 
The 1Thes 13-17 passage is the same event as discussed in earlier Mk 12:25-27 & Lk 20:35-38.  These verses begin with an acknowledgement of the role of hope.  Before this is over, I will show you an interesting little number thing about faith and hope.  Vs 16 and 17 tells us that the Lord does not return to earth at this time, but calls his bride up to meet Him in the air.  Note we meet in the clouds (plural).  All three ascension events of the first resurrection (Acts 1:9, Rev 11:12, 1 Thes 4:17) are associated with clouds.  These are saints.  Jesus returns to earth in Rev 1:7 with clouds (pl).  The clouds here in Thessalonians represent the two different events of the dead first, then the living.  They are separated by time much as the doors of Mat 24:33 & Mk 13:29.  These are not a one time event going up in numerous clouds, but are two separate events.  Note the use of the word "remain" in vs 15 applicable to the living after the resurrection and departure of the dead.  How long is the question.
 
Paul is the apostle who wrote both the Thes and Cor passages and both these references are to the same thing.  There is another event in between the ascension of the dead and the ascension of the living. The living first must be changed to incorruptible.  We must receive immortal bodies before we can set foot in heaven.  It is this "changing" which is in an instant, the twinkling of an eye.  Scripture seems to indicate that those currently dead are brought out of their graves changed already (like Jesus at the resurrection) and immediately ascend into the air.  For the living there seems to be indicated a little time period not only between the dead resurrection/ascension, but also between the changing and the ascension.
 
The parable of the 10 virgins (Mat 25) should be read with all the detail that we spent analyzing the Sign of the Fig Tree passage.  It leads us through the events of 1 Thes with much more detail.  Note that the virgins have a discussion throughout the time period of events.  There is time to trim lamps and time to talk, even after the wise are changed.
 
First, there is a midnight cry.  Like Mat 24/Mk 13, it is a reverse image of the midnight cry of Ex 11 & 12.  The midnight cry is the resurrection and ascension of the dead.  It will get the world's attention with two different basic reactions.  The virgins, both wise and unwise, know enough about scripture to know the truth.  They are seen talking to each other and trimming their lamps.  You trim a lamp to give off the best light.  We Christians are supposed to be a lamp unto the world as was Jesus.  We are supposed to let our light shine.  That we have to trim our lamps at the midnight cry shows we have all been a little neglect.  My friends, there is going to be a lot of confessing and repenting going.  Pastors, for those who have been seeing a lot of empty seats, the pews are going to be overflowing and out the door.
 
However, the world will have an entirely different reaction.  We have already been bombarded through the media about aliens and UFOs as well as coming catastrophic events.  The unbelieving have been mentally prepared.  Satan's hosts will fill the air with UFOs.  Yes folks, those things are real, they just aren't all that "other" worldly.  Our media will fill the air with reports and sightings.  Our governments are already in support of the global deception.  Deception, which we in our lifetime have been fed constantly, will grow to such proportions as to deceive all but the very elect.
 
Sometime after this period of trimming lamps a "changing" takes place.  The unwise seem to notice there is a difference between them and the wise virgins and begin to ask questions.  The answer of the wise is not entirely clear to me, but I can't help but be a little amused by the possible sarcastic nature (I said possible).  They tell them to go buy oil from them that buy and sell.  Well, that's not where you get Holy Spirit from, so what is the meaning?  I'm going to venture a guess that what has gotten the lukewarm, spiritually carnal, unwise virgins in the trouble in the first place is that their primary focus has been on worldly matters, their stuff, their things etc.  The wise may just be giving them a little clue as to what they have to do in the near future to get close to Christ and over Jordan to the Promised Land.  Maybe it is not a sarcastic remark and they are telling the unwise they must go to Jesus to purchase the important things in life.  They need a close relationship with the Son and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Either way, there is time for conversation.
 
Finally, there is a departure of the wise.  The unwise notice, probably see their departure.  The door to the wedding is shut.  Another will not open for 7 years and it appears in Revelations that the only way to get through that door is death.
 
The unwise are left crying Lord, Lord, open to us, but He will not.  Other passages note there is wailing and gnashing of teeth (great remorse).  Lk 13:24-30 is one of these.  The unwise have been left out of the kingdom.  However, they have not lost their salvation.  The next letter I will explain their fate as well as their hope.  Jesus makes some great promises to them (though He won't let them in the door) in Luke 11:5-13.  At Pentecost (just like the original), Jesus again sends the Holy Ghost, but this time with twice as much power.  The next 3.5 years will be a worldwide revival like you have never seen as the White Horse conquers.
The unwise left behind still have hope to be a part of the first resurrection and serve with Christ during His kingdom, but they will have to face death, even a martyrs death.  They will not attend the wedding, but they have hope to attend the wedding supper (Rev 19:9).
 
Now, for the final question.  How long do these 3 events we call the rapture take?  Take time to read the Hezekiah's Second Passover celebration.  Other than Num 9, it is the only recorded celebration of this event in scripture.  This feast is found in 2 Chron 30.  Vs 26 says it was one of the two most joyous and memorable events ever in Jerusalem.  Remember, Second Passover is to be celebrated with all the same ordinance and manner as first Passover (Num 9:14).  The lamb is to be brought into the home on the 10th day of the second month and killed on the 14th.  The Passover midnight cry is that night.  Unleavened bread is also to be celebrated with it, even for 7 days.  But, because Second Passover is exactly 30 days after the First Passover, it falls two weekdays later.  The 14th falls on a Friday and the evening then is on a Sabbath, even the 4th Sabbath Omer of the Feast of Weeks, the exact cardinal midpoint.
 
Hezekiah's event is so joyful that it lasts 7 days and then they vote to make it last 7 more days.  During this time many are not sanctified or clean, but Hezekiah asks the Lord to pardon every one.  It is a feast of great gladness and many Priests are sanctified.  It ends with their prayers are heard all the way to heaven.  But, also notice in vs 10 that many in Ephraim and Manasseh did not come, even laughed and mocked.
 
I will leave it to you to read and study, but this 7 + 7 days is interesting.  It is much the same as the dream of the Pharaoh that Joseph interpreted.  Joseph told the Pharaoh the reason the dream was doubled was because it was a sign from God.  The years of plenty and famine followed in the same pattern.  The story of the 7 years famine in Gen 47:13-26 is very much a preview of events during the seals of Revelations.  Note Joseph's role.
 
The number 7 not only represents perfection, but also completion.  It is also related to judgement and judgement to division/separation.  If we take the 7 or the 7 + 7 and spread it across the time period of the Second Passover we might be able to see the three events of the rapture.  Starting from the 14th of Zif (Second month) if we add 14 days inclusive we come to the 27th, ascension day.  It may well be that the midnight cry (resurrection of the dead) occurs on the 14th or somewhere between there and the 15th and the ascension of the living on ascension day.  That would be following the protocol of the First Passover event of Jesus.  Maybe, in the middle, after 7 days of unleavened bread (confessing/repenting/removing sin), there is the changing of the living.  This would give us the pattern found in Hezekiah's Second Passover, i.e. a reason to vote to extend the celebration (watch) another 7 days.  Folks, can you begin to see a picture here?
 
Continuing to follow the pattern of Jesus First Passover events, 10 days later at Pentecost will be the Elijah/Elisha example (double Spirit) of outpouring of the Holy Ghosts on the repentant left behind.  The Holy Ghost is ready for His final great 7 year harvest of first fruit culminating at Pentecost with the resurrection of the two witnesses and the trib saints.  Then comes the wedding supper.
 
The above is exciting.  It is not quite how you hear it preached, but it sure fits the parable of the 10 virgins and the Hezekiah example.  It also follows the protocol established in Jesus' day.  The example of Noah fits in here pretty close with his events beginning on the 10th day of the second month just like the lamb is to be brought into the home.  Something may happen on this day as well as the 17th.  I am not sure, but the 7+ 7 seems to fit nicely from the 14th to ascension day.  The other consideration is this year they established Passover on a Tuesday instead of Thursday on the calendars.  This causes some day of the week confusion and frankly I don't know how the Lord would handle it if this spring is the big one.  I kind of lean toward that Friday to Sabbath midnight cry, but we will have to wait to find out.  From what I hear/read, they at least got the First Passover at the time when the Barley harvest was Abib.  That at least keeps us in the right month.  So, now we are just quibbling over which day.
 
I told you I would show you an interesting number count about faith and hope.  It is Saturday morning here and I'm afraid if I don't get this in, it will miss the post today.  I'll try to get it on Monday's post.
 
May the Lord open our eyes and reveal to us His truths.
 
Your friend, Steve