Chondra,
I throughly enjoyed reading your response, honestly.
You appear to have a gentle spirit.
I really did want to learn about this subject from someone like you.
The most salient point that you made was the following:
Both verses (and others) are talking to believers and about the last days.
If salvation was an automatic “rapture”, why bother with the above wording,
Your question, "Why bother with the above wording?" really got to me.
It was the kind of thing that I was looking for.
I have no answer to your question.
It makes a lot of sense.
I will be thinking about this a lot more now, and other things in light of what you said.
Lastly, the ending of your letter,
"God Bless Gino, hope this helps and doesn’t add more confusion!"
really comforted me and lifted my soul.
Thank you so much!
Gino