I believe "a great multitude, which no man could number" of us Christians will be in the great tribulation (Revelation 7:9, 14) for the same reasons Christians have always gone through "much tribulation." "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Note that the Greek word for "much" in Acts 14:22 is translated 59 times in the New Testament as "great." "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience" (Romans 5:3). "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation" (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4).

During the coming great tribulation the Lord will allow the enemy to try some of us to the limit, just as the enemy tried Job to the limit, not because he had done anything wrong, but to show that his love for God wasn't based on his material wealth, his family, or his health, but on the simple fact that God was his creator and sustainer, and had shown him great kindness (Job 2:10). Job did not sin when faced with every trial a man can face. He remained loyal to God unto the end.

I believe we are to look to the patient suffering of Job as our example: "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" (James 5:10-11). We Christians will need such patience in the coming tribulation: "Here is the patience and the faith of the saints" (Revelation 13:10). "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12-13).

Some say "If God won't protect all Christians, then he is either not omnipotent or not benevolent." But God's people do not go through tribulation because of God's malice toward them, but because God knows they will come out blessed from it (Romans 5:3-5). Nor do God's people go through tribulation because of any lack of power on God's part, for he has power to deliver them from every trial (Psalms 91), and to defeat all his enemies whenever he chooses (Revelation 19:19 - 20:10).

God allows Satan to continue to bring trials for two reasons: 1. To bring those that are not in sin to a point of complete submission to him (e.g. Job 1:1, 42:6), to where they will no longer have any faith in themselves (Luke 22:31-34). 2. To bring those who are still in unrepentant sin to a point of true repentance (Hebrews 12:4-17).

Satan actually never wins in the lives of those who love God, for God works everything, even trials, to their good (Romans 8:28, 5:3-5). And ultimately Satan will be cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10) and we will have no more trials forever (Revelation 21:4)