The Return of Christ

Many, perhaps the majority, of evangelical Christians are looking forward with joyful expectation to the return of Christ to the earth. For some believers the return of Christ will be the most wonderful event of their lifetime.
But unless I am mistaken, for numerous professing Christians the return of Jesus Christ will be out of the frying pan into the fire, so to speak. We have been taught a lie. That is all there is to it!
As I prayed I sought the Lord to know what He is saying today. I haven’t preached on the coming of the Lord in some while, as I remember. A few of the issues went through my mind:
The fourth chapter of First Thessalonians, the so-called “rapture” passage. The verses included in this chapter are telling us about the invasion of the earth by a huge number of saints who will accompany Christ, not a carrying off to Heaven of the nominal, casual lukewarm “believers” of our day.
The twenty-fourth chapter of the Book of Matthew, which reveals that the coming of the Lord will not be a secret but an open manifestation of the power of God. This gathering together of God’s elect will take place after the time of distress.
The third chapter of the Book of Colossians, where Paul says when Christ appears we will appear with him.
The first chapter of the Book of Second Thessalonians, which tells us we shall be avenged on those who have persecuted us.
Revelation says every eye shall see him.