In my original reply, you actually agreed with the point I was making. You said:
"There's a verse that plainly states Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit are one. It's easy to use a minimum of two-three verses to prove this."
My point exactly, that many things are gleamed from Scripture by putting one thing and another together. As to verses about a "taking up" of the Assembly that Christ is building:
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
The act of "receiving" the assembly, unto himself, cannot be equated with the Second Coming. In the Second Coming of Christ, the Lord is descending to the Earth and every eye shall see him. What logic is there, in an interpretation of this event, where those who are gathered unto the Lord is for the sole purpose of coming right back down? Also, in John 14:2&3, Christ's conversation was not public but was for the ears of His own, only.
Paul also, was not speaking publicly when he wrote the assembly of like minded believers:
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.
This verse has created some confusion because many think it is talking about the Second Coming. However, the Greek word used here,
παρουσίαν, (Par-rah-see-an), is used in the sense of "being close" or "an appearance". This appearance is limited by this verse and the verses that follows:
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
1Th 4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Only the dead "in Christ" and the ones who remain alive, are caught up. Only they will see this appearing. The whole world will see His Second Coming, not just these. This was given to comfort believers, who were concerned about those who had fallen asleep,
This promise was made to the Assembly in Philadelphia, by the Head of the Assembly, Jesus Christ - for the purpose of comfort:
Rev 3:10 Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
The promise, is to keep the Universal Assembly, which Christ is building, form the coming "hour" of Tribulation or trial. This "hour" is defined here, as the one coming upon the whole world, to try those who still dwell upon the earth. This, by it's context, cannot be a local trial but must be global. Therefore, the Lord must have been speaking about the Great Tribulation.
Additionally, The judgement of the world in a Great Flood and the eight riding above the judgement in the safety of the Ark, is a type and foreshadow of the taking up of the Assembly.
In the end, it matters not what one believes is being taught. The Lord gave it to His Assembly for a blessing but if that blessing is missed, by faulty interpretation, the will of the Lord will take place regardless. If one believes in a pre-trib. rapture, they have possession of the entire blessing. If one believes in a mid-trib. rapture, they miss half of the blessing. And if one believes in a post-trib. rapture or non at all, they miss all of the blessing. Either wat, may the will of the Lord be accomplished.
Rom_11:25 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;
