Who will suffer privations during the seven-year tribulation period?
During the seven-year tribulation period, the 144,000 sealed servants of God will suffer privation throughout their ministry, and believers will also endure these privations. They are sealed so no one can take their lives, yet they still face hunger and hardship while proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.
Les explains that the 144,000 are going to suffer privation all through their ministry. In Revelation chapter 7, the angel says not to hurt the earth, sea, or trees until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. This sealing, like the mark God put on Cain, ensures no one can take their life. The 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes go out to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom. Les also links this to Matthew 25, where the privations that believers as well as the 144,000 will suffer during this seven-year period include hunger, with the promise “They shall hunger no more.” He reminds us of the mark of the beast in the forehead or palm of the hand; those who take it will never succumb to the gospel of the kingdom.