There is a special word that occurs but three times in the New Testament. It is found in the parable of the girls with the lamps who go out to meet the bridegroom and then accompany him back. It also appears in the story of the brothers going out to meet Paul in order to accompany him into the city of Rome. And, finally, it occurs in 1 Thessalonians 4 where the saints arise from the dead to “meet” the Lord and accompany Him back to earth.
The word has to do with going out to meet a dignitary in order to honor him by accompanying him to the place where he is heading.
When a famous world leader arrives at the airport, a body of high officials are at the foot of the plane’s stairs to greet him. After appropriate ceremonies on the tarmac, they all form a motorcade to accompany him into the city.
That is what will happen at our Lord’s coming!
It is important to remember that it is His coming primarily; our going secondarily. He is the One to be honored on that Day!