^ Nope, you wrote "[to] meet them in the air"... the TEXT itself does not state this, as you suggest it does. [your Post #2008]
Also, the text states, "the dead in Christ SHALL RISE first"... it does not state "shall be CAUGHT UP first" as you've suggested it states. [your Post #2003]
I can't imagine what your point is--the dead rise and those alive meet them in the air--it's as if your putting some imaginary space of time between the two--one immediately follows the other. It's clear as the text CLEARLY says "will be caught up
TOGETHER WITH THEM.
The Return of the Lord
13Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death,
c so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.
14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.
15By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.
16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.
17After that, we who are alive and remain
will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
18Therefore encourage one another with these words.