A lot of opinions abound concerning the timing of the rapture (aka "the catching away"). Only one can be correct, but which one? First let me state that no matter what your opinion is, this is NOT an salvation issue. How you perceive the rapture does not determine if you will or will not make heaven your home. It may effect how well your faith stands when tribulation does come however and that may make you or break you. With that said on to the subject matter.
Matthew chapter 24 give us an rough outline of the time of the end. Or the end times if you prefer. When asked by his disciples when he would return (a response to his earlier declaration of not one stone left standing upon another of the temple.) : Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
he then answered them. For his complete answer read Matthew chapter 24.
He gave three primary signs as follows in brief.
a) Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
b) Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
c) Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
These same verses are reiterated also in Mark and Luke.So we see that first we will hear of wars and rumors of wars, then the abomination that makes desolate shall be set up, and many false Christs shall appear. All of this before the sign of his coming.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Also tribulation will be upon those that dwell upon the earth, which also happens before the sign of his coming.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
This takes place after the abomination of desolation is set up as well. All of this spoken by Jesus.
