What happens to people who do not take the mark of the beast during the tribulation?
Those who do not take the mark are eligible for salvation, but they cannot buy, sell, or transact business. Without any means of exchange, they will become hungry, thirsty, and naked, and the 144,000 will suffer the same privations, including imprisonment, though no one can take their life.
Les explains that during the tribulation, if people do not have the mark of the beast, they are eligible for salvation, but they cannot buy or sell or transact business. He notes that seven years is a long time if you cannot buy groceries, pay rent, make a house payment, buy gasoline, or pay a doctor bill. Since they have no means of exchange, they will end up hungry, thirsty, and naked. Les also says the 144,000 will suffer these same privations: no one can take their life, but they will be thrown in prison and be hungry. Their only sustenance comes from believers who realize what a salvation these Jews have brought them and sacrifice whatever little they have to help them. Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you did it unto them, you really did it to Me.”