Hi River,
But now that I look deeply into things and ask questions I doubt this 2nd coming idea.
Christ will not return until the Elect/Bride of every generation has been prepared and are ready (even though for most they are waiting in the grave), however many generations that takes.
Rev 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne;
v10 they cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before thou wilt judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?"
v11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
v8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Christ resurrects the Elect to join Him, "I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also," (John 14:3). Then Christ and the Elect will return together to rule the earth.
Rev 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
v12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
v13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
v14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
The resurrection/return of Christ is the hope and faith that the Elect have for Life or else what do we have? If we believe that Christ was the Son of God and was raised from the dead, then we can know that He will do the same for us (raise us from our grave).
1Th 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
v14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
v15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
v16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
v17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
v18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
mercy, peace and love
Kat