What does the Bible teach about a place of safety?

Will all of God's people be protected from the terrible times of trouble before Jesus Christ's return?What does the Bible teach about a place of safety for the Church during the coming Great Tribulation?

Will all of God's people be protected from the terrible times of trouble before Jesus Christ's return?

The most specific reference to the protection that God promises for His people at the end of the age is in Revelation 12. Revelation:12:14 says, "But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent."

However, we find a further prophecy in the same context that tells us at least part of the Church will suffer persecution at the same time that God protects others: "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (verse 17).

The Bible records many ways by which God protected His people in the past, but does not reveal specifically how, where, when—or even all of the "who"—He will protect in the end. However, we have confidence that He will reveal what we need to know at the essential time. In the meantime, there can be no doubt our focus must be on the spiritual preparation for Christ's return and the establishment of our Father's Kingdom.

Who will escape the worst of the Great Tribulation during the prophesied dangerous times ahead? The Bible is plain that it's not knowledge or self-devised religion that makes a difference with God. Rather, it is the performing of His will in our lives and our sincere acceptance of Christ's sacrifice for our past sins that binds us to Him- Matthew 7:21-23; Galatians 1:4.

What should a person who desires protection from the coming Great Tribulation be focusing on and doing in the meantime? Surely the Christlike people with God's Spirit guiding their thoughts and actions will continue their focus on loving and serving God.

Here are some passages, one from the Old Testament and one from the New, that give us spiritual directives to be concentrating on each day.

"Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD's anger"

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore [be alert to your spiritual condition], and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" Luke:21:34-36

Those God chooses will be spared the horrible calamities of the climax of this age of Satan's world—those intimately close to God and His way of living."He sets on high those who are lowly [humble],and those who mourn are lifted to safety – Job 5:11