Who are the people that are gathered?
Matt. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Luke 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
"This people" clearly refers to the Jews in Jerusalem.
So this is how it goes.
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, (cleanse Israel of her whoredoms of sin) assemble the elders, (of Jerusalem) gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: (Israel)
let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. (The Church!)
Here we see that the Church and Israel are not the same. BOTH have different roles to play. Adam and Eve were one flesh, yet they both had different roles and positions in God.
If because we are spiritual Jews and the same thing happens to both of us, and we have the same role, then explain the separation here.
Matt. 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Post-tribbers say we are all "spiritual Jews" partaking in ALL the same promises.
Also look at, Zech 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Clearly the Jews and the Gentiles play different roles here. The bottom line is that the un-repentant Jews and un-repentant Gentiles will be left behind at Rapture to suffer the wrath of God. Only through suffering and great birth pains will the eternal nation of Israel be born.
Richard Vizzutti