Let me assure you that we are probably pretty close in that - I see the 'tribulation' lasting much longer than the common dispensational idea of seven years - I do see the same final seven years in pretty much the same light - and would tend to assume that the Church will be raptured right at that point (close to the start of those seven years).
I think the Church is on the earth through the end of the Trumpets (at the sound of the 7th Trump) - and that is a fairly extended period of time - which technically puts me in a mid-trib position according to common interpretation, even though the reason for that is because I place the trumpets as occurring earlier, and over a much longer period.
And the antichrist seems to be active longer than those final seven years, because he is already in his power by the time of the 7-year covenant with Israel (else he would not be in a position to make such a covenant)... which means there has already been a whole lot of shaking going on by then. I don't think most dispensationalists allow enough 'pre-game' time.... the whole thing is too compressed...
And I also disagree with the general tone that the Church will leave unscathed - History would prove otherwise - It would seem to me that there will be plenty of opportunity for martyrdom.
As to the 144000, That is PRECISELY the point - to open people's eyes... and there are MANY church-type folks who are currently blind as bats, perhaps myself included.
But they are drawn from the 12 tribes of Israel. They are going to be understood by a Jewish audience.