There is no rapture, it was created for people that do not trust the Holy Father and fear satan more then they worship God. They read the doom of the end times, and they created a false doctrine to comfort themselves and many flock to believe this falsehood because it makes the fear go away. But satan uses our fears and worry to cause us to turn from God all the time, by thinking we are not going to be here he has claimed victory over many because none will seek their purpose during that time thinking they will not be here so they skip over Revelations. But when it does come, they will be in the dark alone with satan himself face to face, since he will be coming down to Earth in person and they will have no idea what to do.
Several places in the Bible talks about the tribulation of Christians by satan himself when he comes to Earth, and for those that read the book of Revelations knows satan himself does not appear until the end of the Tribulation. First is false prophet which will create the new "Christian religion", then Babylon which is the government to make is stronger and back it up with power/money, then satan will come to rule the established "nation".
Matthew 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.
Matthew 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.
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Matthew 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.
Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Revelation 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
So to the question; when is the "rapture" of
1Thessalonians 4:17?
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Come key words to look at, "trump", which speaks of the trumpets that separates the stages of events in Revelation. The second thing to look at, is that it tell us "the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven", so we know the second coming of Christ happens BEFORE the "rapture" and third this is when he rises the "dead in Christ" first to him.
1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So here we learn two very important things about the end. One; that the trump that the "dead shall be raised" is the "last trump". So that is very important, in regards to the timeline set in the book of Revelations in the stages of the seven trumpets. The second thing we learn, is that the dead will be "raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed". This is a little side meat for those interested, the rising of the dead is not literal dead, it is the flesh we will be raised from, and when Jesus returns we will all be "changed" to our Spiritual bodies during the thousands years of Jesus' reign.
Revelation 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Revelation 11:11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Revelation 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Revelation 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Revelation 11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Now we get a little more of the timeline, as we see here that the two witnesses shall be killed by satan and left for three days. On the third day, just like with Jesus, they will be called to Heaven and the same day "the seventh angel sounded" and "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord" as he will have returned.
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Matthew 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
The gathering of the "dead in Christ" is now answered, when he does return at the last trumpet after the tribulation, Jesus will gather all people and separate the Christians from the non-Christians. This goes to the gathering up to him, the Christians will go into the cloud while the non-Christians will remain on Earth during the thousand years. For the "in the clouds", it is another side note and not really needed to answer the question, but God the Father is so amazing he gives us more answers then what we need....
Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Revelation 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Revelation 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Revelation 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
During the tribulation the temple in Heaven will be opened to the World, but none will be able to enter it until after the tribulation. It shows that the Angels and Jesus is at the temple on a white cloud, and there they will "reap" the Earth. So the going into the clouds with Jesus, is saying we will be gathered at the end of the Tribulation after we passed the test of satan into the temple in the sky that was opened.