Most people don't like to think of the great tribulation because of all the pain and suffering which will take place. Some believe that those who believe in Jesus will be raptured out of this world before the tribulation begins. It is a comforting thought, but the more I study the subject the more I am convinced that we will all be here for the great tribulation.

 The Book of Revelation is a hard to understand book with a lot of symbolic language. It speaks of candlesticks, stars, waters, dragons, and many beasts and the image of the beast. There is no literal beast with ten horns, or a literal whore which sits upon many waters. This is all symbolic language. 

 But many take Revelation 13:11-18 literally where it talks about a beast whose number is 666. Everyone will be forced to receive his mark—either his name or his number on the right hand or on the forehead. Those who refuse to take the mark will not be able to buy or sell, and those who will not worship the beast will be killed.

 This is what most people think of when they think of the great tribulation. Even unbelievers are familiar with the number 666 and its association with satan. Because of this it makes me wonder whether it will be a literal mark or number that people will be forced to take.

 Perhaps it is meant to be taken literally, but I believe the mark of the beast is a symbolic language and goes much further than just a name or number being put on the hand or forehead.

 As for those being killed for not worshipping the beast, I can see it happening literally because Christians have been persecuted and killed since the first family walked upon this earth and is still going on today.  

Jesus and His disciples (all except John, who wrote Revelation) were martyred and faced horrible deaths. If God did not spare them, why would He choose to spare anyone during the great tribulation by rapturing them into heaven?   

Some believe the great tribulation is the time when God will pour out His wrath upon the earth. I believe God will find a way to protect his people from His wrath during the tribulation, or pour it out after the tribulation, because He has not appointed His people to wrath.

 When reading through the Old Testament, we see that when God sent the flood He instructed Noah to build an ark where Noah and his family would be protected from the waters during the flood. God didn't take them out of this world, but instead protected them.

 In the same way when fire came down on Sodom and Gomorrah, God spared Lot and his two daughters by asking them to leave. They obeyed and were saved, but Lot's wife turned back and immediately became a pillar of stone.

 Then again when the plagues came upon Egypt God spared the Israelites. 

In the same way God can protect those who believe in Him during the great tribulation. 

In Revelation 9:3-4 it says there will be locusts on the earth, which will be given the power of scorpions. These locusts are commanded to torment only those who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads.  

This is God pouring out His wrath upon those who do not obey Him, and the believers are saved from this event. The only torment which believers will face is the persecution of men. 

In Matthew 24 Jesus gives a brief description of what the great tribulation will be like. 

 He begins with the false prophets, warning His disciples against their deception. Then He goes on to speak about an increase of wars, rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes, but, "these are just the beginning of sorrows" (v. 8).  

 He then shifts back and speaks about the false prophets, the abomination of desolation, and then back again to the false prophets. According to Jesus the false prophets are the main characters in the great tribulation.

 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (v. 21.)

 He spoke of a spiritual tribulation with spiritual battles, He said in verse 23, "Then if any man say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not." 

 He said false prophets would come and deceive many with "great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (v. 24.) This is the great tribulation according to Jesus, and He warned his disciples to "take heed that no man deceive you." (v. 4)

 The great tribulation is a spiritual tribulation with spiritual wars and spiritual hunger. Yes Christians will still face persecution and death, and the death toll will increase, but the physical suffering of each individual will be no greater than what Jesus or His disciples faced.

 It is the spiritual suffering which will increase as more and more antichrists arise with their false doctrines and other religious activities. Many of these doctrines will seem so right and so easy to listen to, but will cause many people to suffer and die spiritually. They will be pulled in so many directions they won't know who to trust. Jesus said "do not go forth" and "believe it not." (v. 26.)

 I believe the tribulation which Jesus spoke of is the same tribulation described in Revelation. I believe it is a spiritual tribulation of spiritual wars, starvation and deception.

 The great tribulation is nothing for the Christian to fear, Jesus said "see that ye be not troubled:" (v. 6). Those who love the truth will not be deceived. God will give His people the strength they need to endure all suffering. Jesus will pass on the same strength which He had on the cross to everyone who asks.  

He promised He would be with us till the end of the world; He will never leave, nor forsake us.