Does the Rapture happen before Christ comes back to rule?
Yes. The Rapture is presented as imminent, able to happen at any time, and it occurs before Christ returns to rule. Christ will first take His own out unto Himself, because many things must yet take place between believers and the Lord before He comes back to rule.
Les explains that the Rapture is imminent and could happen at any time; Scripture does not set a date. He says he would be surprised if we are still here by January 1 or Christmas, though if it has not happened, that is fine. He ties this nearness to a world that is falling apart and reaching the perplexity of the nation. He also distinguishes the Rapture from Christ’s return to rule: Christ will first take us out unto Himself, because a lot of things have to take place between us and the Lord before He comes back to rule.