CORRECT! I am so glad to see that you have grasped that fact. As you know, The rapture and the second coming of Christ are often confused by many well meaning Christians. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a scripture verse is referring to the rapture or the second coming. However, in studying end-times Bible prophecy, it is very important to differentiate between the two.
Allow me to list the important differences between the rapture and second coming ............
1)
At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (
1 Thessalonians 4:17).
At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (
Revelation 19:14).
2)
The second coming occurs after the great and terrible tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19).
The rapture occurs before the tribulation (
1 Thessalonians 5:9;
Revelation 3:10).
3)
The rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17,
5:9).
The second coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (
Matthew 24:40-41).
4)
The rapture will be secret and instant (
1 Corinthians 15:50-54).
The second coming will be visible to all (
Revelation 1:7;
Matthew 24:29-30).
5)
The second coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place (
2 Thessalonians 2:4;
Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6–18). The rapture is imminent; it could take place at any moment (
Titus 2:13;
1 Thess. 4:13-18;
1 Corinthians 15:50-54).
Now, the thing which is of most importance and what actually makes all the difference is if the rapture and the second coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent—there are many things which must occur before He can return (Matthew 24:4-30).
Rev. 3:10...........
"Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."
So you can see that we can take comfort in knowing God will keep His promises. His wrath will be poured out in the earth, but not on His people. That is really good news! All the unrepentant sinners in the world will mourn when they see the sign of the Son of Man in the sky (Matthew 24:30) because they will know it means they are doomed, but believers will not be here to mourn with them. God’s people will be rescued in the rapture.
Now you stated that......
"BTW, did you know that Paul says in 2 Thess 2 that "the coming of the Lord and our gathering unto Him" cannot take place until AFTER the Antichrist rises?"
I do not find that to match the Scriptures my brother.
2 Thessalonians 2.7: ............
"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."
"HE" IMO is the Holy Spirit that actually makes up the church as HE indwells the believers.