In Matthew 24, Jesus was upon the Mount of Olives with His disciples, the early foundation of His Church. Pre-trib's play on words like 'saints' and 'elect' is foolishness. Christ's saints ARE... His elect, and definitely part of His Church. Pre-trib tries to push that stupid play all the time, confusing brethren that are gullible because they don't study God's Word for themselves.
The proof Christ gave His Olivet discourse to all His Church is in that Scripture itself. The two versions of His coming and gathering the saints in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 directly parallel what Apostle Paul taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 about the gathering of the Church. The Signs Jesus gave in His Olivet discourse parallel the Seals of Revelation 6, which is definitely... for His Church. There's so much Scripture evidence there that He was speaking to all His Church there that it's defies all common sense to say differently. Even at the end of Mark 13 what He said He said to ALL, to Watch! Watch what?? What the Signs leading up to His return and gathering of His Church that He gave there in His Olivet discourse, which His disciples asked Him about (Matthew 24:3)!
But if you want to be deceived, and heed those men that devised the Pre-trib Rapture lies, be my guest if you don't care any more about your soul than that.
Israel is also Gods Elect! Context determines which group and the olivet discourse is definitely about the Jews and not the church.
But it could also mean the Tribulation saints who are not part of the church as well. After all they all will pass before the throne of Jesus to be ushered into the millenial kingdom.
YOu forget that we don't word play, but look at all Scriptures.
Revelation 19
King James Version
19 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
3 And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
The church is already in heaven before Jesus returns so we can take part in our wedding to the Lamb!
Paul also clearly taught that the church will be delivered from the wrath to come which is the 70th week of Daniel or teh 7 years we call the tribulation and as Scripture calls it also:
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
We will be raptured before the sixth seal is fully opened, which is prior to the seventh seal being opened which brings the 7 trumpet judgments on the earth. Then after the events of the mid point of the trib- the seven angels pour out the final judgments on earth before the Lord returns.
