Who will escape the worst of the Great Tribulation during the prophesied dangerous times ahead? Is it some particular group or denomination? Will those who study the prophecies of the Bible have a greater advantage? Does knowing about God's plans bring any special favor to a person?

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 and humanity as their reason for being.

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" (Zephaniah 2:3).

"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). GN