Hi, Peggy McIlveene;
 
I used to believe in Pre-Tribulation Rapture but not anymore. 
 
One day, I just happened to read the Olivet Discourse in the Book of Mathew and that did it for me. At the time, I didn't even know it was called the Olivet Discourse or there was heated debate going on that subject of timing of Rapture. I just read it and thought "Hey, this is different from what I believe!"
 
Jesus was explaining the whole thing from the start to the finish. It had everything I needed to know which timing was right. It had the precise description of the Rapture and when it will happen. 
 
I find it almost impossible to change one's position on Rapture timing, although I succeeded converting(?) my wife. If one read what Jesus said in the book of Mathew but still don't believe him on the timing of the Rapture, it's doubtful anything can change his mind. What can be better than Jesus' own words.
 
Whether or not you will acknowledge the fault in your reasoning is upto you but here it is.
 
 
Here's your quote;

"You appear to be mixing two different events, Ed… the departure of the Church before the Tribulation (the Rapture… taken from the Latin word “rapio” and Greek word “Harpazo”), where we meet Him in the clouds, return to Heaven with Him, where He’s gone to prepare a mansion for us, and the Marriage of the Lamb and the Church will take place.  And the resurrection at the end of the Tribulation, where we will return with Yeshua, as His Bride, to fight the Battle of Armageddon."
 
 
1. According to your explanation above, it proceeds something like this;

Rapture of the Living (the departure of the Church) ------> Resurrection of the Dead
 
 
2. However, according to the scripture, it is the other way around.
 
Resurrection of the Dead ------> Rapture of the Living
 
 
1 Thessalonians 4 : 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
 
Above verse says the ones that are still alive will not precede those who have fallen asleep (the Dead).
 
There will be only one rapture when Jesus returns after the Great Tribulation but before the Wraith of God (7 trumpet/bowls plagues)
 
 
The danger of the pre-trib rapture theory is that

1. It makes us wait for the rapture and thus when the Great Tribulation is finally here we will think as though it's not the GT, because the rapture hasn't happened yet, we will think that it could not be the GT. The first half (3 & 1/2 years) of the GT will be a preparation time for Christians for the coming persecution of the Beast. It will be so hard to change one's position on the timing of the Rapture then as now, so, many will keep holding onto the pre-trib rapture belief and walk right into the reign of the Beast without being ready. Many will lose their salvation because of the persecution by the Beast.
 
2. Pre-trib rapture teaches that after the Rapture, you can still be saved during the Great Tribulation. Thus one might think, well I don't have to be ready for the return of Jesus, now. If worse comes to worst, then I will become a Martyr and can still be saved.
 
But, Lo and behold. Jesus comes suddenly and ones left behind (not raptured) will plea to Jesus "please open the door" but Jesus will not open the door. Ones left behind will tremble because the day of the Lord is here. Those not prepared to be pure bride of Jesus will receive the wraith of God that will fall upon the whole earth.
 
Anyone reading this post; please be ready for Jesus. Don't get caught off guard, sleeping. We have only one chance at the one and only Rapture. The 'left behind' series of novels say that there is still hope for the left behind. This is not true. If you're ever left behind, prepare to abandon all hope. So don't get ever left behind. Be ready for Jesus' coming.
 
 
Ed
 
esohn@rogers.com