So then the tribes or families of the earth don't include everyone? You should have noticed that the mourning happens before the gathering.
Look at the same event from Paul's perspective -
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that
the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when
they say, "Peace and safety!"
then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But
you, brethren, are not in darkness,
so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
Paul defines those who will be alive and experience the reurn of Jesus Christ.
Them and you.
Your either a
"them" or a
"you" [ewe]
Sudden destruction comes upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.
Labor pains come unexpectedly. They cause the woman to double over with pain and mourn.
The reason there is such a violent reaction is that there is no time for the woman to "brace" or prepare for this unexpected shock wave of pain.
Not so with the children of light that know the signs that Jesus left for us in the scriptures.
They are expecting this event with joy and great expectation.
No reason to mourn.
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven,
and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
By the time the tribes of the earth see the Son of Man, The church will be gone.
In a twinkling of an eye.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
JLB