I wasn't personally expecting a pre trib rapture. There are other possibilities, other potential timelines, other interpretations of Scripture. A multitude of eschatological viewpoints and near as many failed prophecies and disgraced prophets to go along with them. My brothers in Christ can subscribe to whatever end times viewpoint they desire, I've got mine too, go figure. I just wish we would all do more and better research. More digestion, less regurgitation.
Yes, the Bible doesn't say "pre trib" it says Philadelphia will be kept from the hour of trial. Also the term tribulation is very poor choice of terms since all believers go through tribulation. Think about all the martyrs during the church age. Luke 12 describes a wedding that takes place before the Lord returns to those servants waiting and watching for Him at the Father's house.
To understand that we need to understand the church age and when it ends. During the church age we are witnessing to others concerning the Lord Jesus and urging them to choose Jesus. Ultimately the whole world chooses the Antichrist. That is the "wedding", the covenant that ends this age and this is what the Lord told us. He came in His father's name and they rejected Him but later one will come in his own name and him they will choose. That is why this "Pact for the future" ends the church age. It is the official rejection of Jesus, Christians and Israel by the world.
Also Matthew 25 talks about the ten virgins and the midnight cry that the Bridegroom cometh. I believe that midnight cry is a reference to the Feast of Trumpets which announces the coming of the Messiah and the coming of the king with the cry of trumpet blasts.
Also the Lord said that the time was shortened otherwise no flesh would survive. This period is seven years long, that is a legal contract and cannot be shortened. However, the time of intense persecution and trial, that is not a full seven years. That is why at the moment it doesn't seem like we are in the tribulation.