"does make me wonder why we would think we are exempted from tribulations"
Don't you think there is a difference between tribulations we face every day, i.e."...In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) and the Tribulation mentioned in Daniel and Revelation?
I do agree with you here, duncan. I didn't mean to equate necessarily tribulations in general with the "Great Tribulation" referred to in eschatology discussions, although I do believe the former is a good supporting argument regarding the latter.
You're asking the wrong person. I make no pretense about understanding eschatology.
God is in control. Our Lord Jesus is our Great Shepherd who stands and watches over His flock. And until Christ returns like “a thief in the night” it is He who sustains us. It matters not whether we go through a “tribulation” or “The Tribulation”. It is God who sustains us.
I read through Daniel several times now and find the text problematic to build a whole concept around. I think it tends to be dangerous. Here is another view:
Daniel’s Seventy Weeks and Biblical Prophecy from THE 400 YEARS BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS