Jesus died for us on the cross, in our place. “He conquered death and the grave;” (1Corinthians 15:55-58) making it possible for believers to live in eternity with Him in Heaven at the time of their/our death. But this promise is not only valid for the time of death, it is also a promise that takes immediate effect for those who are still in the body at the time of Christ’ Appearing.

It is also noteworthy to mention that in the Book of Genesis we see a case of God taking someone up body and soul:

"And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:24)

'God took him' is how Enoch was 'snatched away;' that's the way it happened for him. Jesus was Resurrected; He floated upward. Philip was 'transmitted' to another location (Acts 8:38b-40a). The dead will rise before the living in the Rapture of the church. In Latin, it is known as the Rapture (1Thessalonians 4:13-18 & 1Corinthians 15:51-55). In the Greek it is known as Hapazo:

Greek/Hebrew Definitions. Strong's #726: harpazo (pronounced har-pad'-zo) from a derivative of 138; to seize (in various applications):--catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). Thayer's Greek Lexicon: ï"ï.

Look at what Peter has to say in 1Peter 1:5-9:

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, Receiving the end of your faith---the salvation of your souls."

Also See: 1Peter 1:10-12, as he continues in his explanation of salvation in this same 'end times' context.

AND there are more like this:

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:7)

"And the Spirit and the bride says, "Come!" And let him who hears say, 'Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17)

Through the examination of these passages, there emerges a clear furtherance of the doctrine of salvation; that Christ will appear to Rapture His Bride. We will then be with Him in Heaven instantly, and being with Him in His Physical Presence means there is no longer a need for faith; salvation is complete.

It’s interesting that Paul’s first Epistle was to the Thessalonians and that the first 3 chapters are lead-ins to the mind-blowing encouragement he provides regarding Jesus’ Coming to Rapture the Church to safety in chapter 4. His passion for his people led him to address their concerns regarding them, as well as their concern over their relatives who had already passed, for they worried the Rapture had already happened:

"not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come." (2Thessalonians 2:2) 

And not only did Paul reassure them that they had not missed the Rapture, he also comforted them that their ancestors will be the first to go up:

".....and the dead in Christ will rise first....." (1Thessalonians 4:16b)

As for Peter, his words reveal that human life begins with God in Heaven. We started out there, and were the born of our parents here. He called our earthly lives “the time of your stay here.” This affirms that this world is not our home, nor should we think of it as such:

"And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;" (1Peter 1:17)

And we see this also in the Book of Jeremiah:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

There are more verses like these in the book of James. In chapter 5, James exhibits skillful exhortation to his brethren over the importance of remaining patient as we wait for His Return:

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain, You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.” (V.7-9)

In conclusion, this study on salvation has revealed that our God has literally thought of everything in order to save all of us who belong to Him, and were known by Him before we were born. We can trust in Him unto salvation whether we are found in the body or not at the time of His Coming, as long as we love His Appearing more than this world and worship Him and Him alone, in other words, as long as we are truly saved.

Furthermore, due to His Promise to never leave us nor forsake us, we know that Jesus will save us from the messes we get ourselves into or others or circumstances dictate. Thus, we are saved more times than we even know and realize. This promise is found in several Scriptures, like Deuteronomy 31:8--

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

ALSO SEE: Psalm 71

More RAPTURE Promise Verses: we don't have to ashamed and we will be like Him:

“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His Coming.” (1John 2:28)

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1John 3:2)

THEREFORE, even considering all the rampant evil going on in this world right now, we can nonetheless rest assured that as we wait for Him either by way of death, or by the snatching away, in which those who have died are nonetheless an important part of, our Rescue is near. Therefore, we can live without fear because He will save us from our trials; He is our Refuge, protect us from evil, so we can stay committed to serving Him and His Kingdom on earth by spreading the Word of Truth, until that fantastic moment we finally become freed from our mortality. 

Furthermore, He saves us from trials, or out of trials, all sorts of messes we get ourselves into, for He is our Refuge; our Fortress. He saves us from ourselves, our circumstances and our enemies over and over again:

"My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart." (Psalm 7:10) 

Currently there is a lot of debate about the validity of the Prayer of salvation. This is silly, inasmuch as we know God looks at the heart. If one is sincere in saying this prayer and takes it seriously; going on to live their lives for the Lord, then the Salvation Prayer got them going in that direction and it worked out good for them due to their right heart condition.

However, there are those who think that merely saying the prayer is what saves them and rather than learn about the Lord and grow in Him, they forget all about it; they are actually trying to manipulate God by standing on this prayer when it's the furthest thing from their minds. This then, is not salvation.

The Salvation Prayer is only valid and useful if you mean what it says and go on to live your life for the Lord--

Lord Jesus I believe You died for me on the Cross and I thank You Lord! I want you to come and live inside of me and stay with me always. I'm so sorry for how I've lived. Please forgive me of all of my sins, Lord. Wash me clean in Your Blood Lord Jesus and help me to live for You from now on.

THE ABC'S of SALVATION is another popular form of prayer when said in prayer before the Lord--

A--Accept that you are in sinner in need of a Savior--Jesus Christ our Lord

B--Believe in Him, live for Him, put your trust in Him.

C--Call on His Name; confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. Commit to living your life for Him....

"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. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one anothe with these words." (1Thessalonians 4:16-18)

NKJV