Question about the Jews and the Sixth Seal

Question: Most pre-tribulationists believe that 144,000 Jews are protected by God during the seven years of tribulation (Revelation:7:1-8 [1] And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. [2] And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, [3] Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. [4] And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. [5] Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. [6] Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. [7] Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. [8] Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
See All...) by receiving “God’s seal in their foreheads.” If the seven seals of Revelation are part of the tribulation period, then why do the Jews have to wait until after the sixth seal to receive God’s mark of protection?

Answer: The answer is fairly simple: they haven’t been commissioned until then, so there were as yet no 144,000 chosen by God to seal “in their foreheads.” Whatever disasters have happened on earth prior to this time, these 144,000 have been spared. It is only at this point that they are chosen (other than in God’s foreknowledge), so there was no way to seal them for protection before. From that point on, they “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth” (Rv 14:4).