The "rapture" was invented by man in the early 1800's, because he just couldn't wrap his head around the bizarre wording of Revelation, and so added a demonic agenda, to lead the sheep astray. Isaiah chapters 24 and 34, 2 Peter chapters 2 and 3 Matthew chapters 24 and 25 should help explain the mysteries that cloud the thoughts while reading Revelation. If God didn't cut the tribulations short, no flesh would survive. Are you one of the 144,000,(that no man can count){just think of 1st century man and how high he could count} the white robed who were washed in blood and who God awoke and who stood at the foot of the alter? The "remnant". Faith without works is dead. No one is going to be whisked away in some secret "rapture". ALL of the tribulations required the patient endurance of the Saints. Are you, do you think you are above the Saints?