One Coherent Point

In my previous post, I spoke of my problem with people using scripture to "prove" their point, while never actually making a coherent point. Lest I be accused of being unable to make a cogent point of my own, I will give an example here.
An idea which seems to be popular, but viewed in various ways is the notion of a "rapture".  It makes great fodder for fictional franchises. It has been used as a scare tactic to proselytize. I don't consider it to be a biblical doctrine, however.
 The scriptures used as proof texts for the "rapture" don't seem to say what is supposed by those who are proponents of the rapture idea when placed in context. For example, in I Thessalonians chapter 4; the Apostle Paul instructs his audience to live self-controlled, worthy lives. Verses 13-18, of which verses 16-17 are used to "prove" rapture theology, speak of life after death and are written as an encouragement not to lose hope because some will die before Christ returns. It seems clear by reading it literally that the raising of the dead and the raising of ALL who are left are both part of the same event, that is the return of Jesus, when He will judge everyone (the living and the dead).
There is another passage in the Bible, though; one which recounts the words of Jesus himself that makes me think that I would rather be one of the ones "left behind" than one of those taken.  From Matthew 13:
²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” ³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, ³⁹ and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear."  *
It seems pretty clear here, by Jesus' own word, that the ones "left behind" are the righteous. The ones who are taken away have a sad fate. 
While the notion of Christians being spared difficulty is attractive, it is simply not based upon the scriptures. Instead, we find that persecution and martyrdom are often the lot of those who dare to take up the cross and follow Jesus. We also know that in these sufferings we may count ourselves blessed. As Jesus said in Matthew chapter 5:
¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
¹¹ “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely^[b] on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  *
I hope that by using scripture to demonstrate this single point, that I may spur others on to take a more critical look at their own arguments.

* New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition