Steve,

That was a really great point!

In addition to the church not being mentioned by using the word "church" after Revelation 3, so, what would it be like if the church was here during the tribulation?

Wouldn't the church still be giving the gospel, still be persecuted, still be on the offensive, and wouldn't this scripture still stand?

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

But, how can that scripture still be true in the tribulation, if the following refers to the church still being here in the tribulation?

Revelation 13:7a And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them:

Would that mean, that, in the tribulation, none of the church are overcomers, but rather are overcome?

But what about the following?

I John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

  5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 

So, isn't Revelation 13:7a speaking of the exact same thing that Daniel saw?

Revelation 13:7a And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them:

Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

The church wasn't mentioned to Daniel, so, wasn't Daniel being told about saints of the children of Israel?