There is a huge difference between the pedestrian tribulations we experience here--or even the tribulations some experience that can result in death--and the Great Tribulation which is God's Wrath poured down upon earth.
God will not pour His Wrath upon His Bride. The rapture will come before that.
Now, whether it is before the 7 years, or the middle of the 7 years, I do not know. I can see arguments on both sides, though I lean towards the pre-Trib, rather than the mid-Trib, personally.
I am not saying the rapture will not take the saints out I am only saying it is bad doctrine to think we can avoid persecution.
I am actually a pre trip belief but I refuse to let it become a crutch and prefer to put my faith in entirely in Christ to carry my through.
TO many focus on the Rapture and a pending end time event and allow that focus to minimize their witness and acts of faith through service, we need to stop playing “Heaven’s Gate” games and just go about our Lord’s work, NO ONE KNOWS THE TIME BUT THE FATHER!