Then we, the remaining living ones at the same time with them will be snatched in clouds into the meeting of the Lord in the air; and thus, we will always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
When the Lord returns, the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds of saints. Thus, we all go together, for when we see Christ, we will be like Him, and none of us will precede another (1 John 3:2). Our first appointment will be at the Bema seat, where our works will be judged. After being purified, we will be presented before the Father in the third heaven. From that point forward, we will always be with the Lord.
This event will occur in an indivisible moment of time (1 Corinthians 15:52), when our mortal bodies will put on immortality. Then the saying will be fulfilled: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
Therefore, with this happy hope, let us purify ourselves in all our conduct, looking forward to the day when He calls us home (1 John 3:3)
Yes, the dead in Christ (those believers who have died physically prior to this event) will rise to ground level. Then all saints will be snatched up off of the earth.
Note that the trumpet sound immediately preceeds the resurrection of the dead, which means that perhaps that sound is calling them out of their graves. Which means all others won't hear the trumpet sound. Why should they?
Do raptured saints need to be purified... Or just their works?
If that is the case then we will not need to be purified before we meet our Father. Thank you