The Rapture constitutes the first stage of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Rapture is clearly explained by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, so that you do not grieve over them, just as others do who have no hope beyond the grave. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those also who sleep in Jesus.
 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 not precede those who have fallen asleep.
 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
 Then we who are alive and remain [on earth] will be caught up
 together with them [those who were resurrected] in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be (for eternity of eternities) with the Lord.
 Therefore comfort one another with these words