For Matt C and possibly one answer to his questions.  I have a strong belief that Christian maturity is a big factor in who escapes the Tribulation (Rev. 3:10) and who does not (Rev.3:16).

Romans 8:19 tells us that all of creation is "waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God."  Perhaps this is what happens in Rev. 12:5 with the taking up of the "man child" just before the 1260 days begin on this earth.....a time of testing for the remainder who are left behind (I Cor.3:15..."he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.")

There are those who will argue this point and say that the "man child" is Jesus Christ....and, in a way it is because the "man child" is the part of His body (the Church) who have matured and have earned the adoption at this time.  When a baby is born into this world, he/she enters one part at a time....and the two feet also come out with one foot first and then the other one.

T! his is a very good article which explains this process by what happened to Jesus, Himself, during His lifetime on this earth.

http://www.sonstoglory.com/spiritualadoption.htm

We start out as "babes" in Christ, and then are sanctified all during our Christian life as we grow from being "little children" to "fathers"....see I John 2:12-13, for one example.  So this, then, might determine who the firstfruits are, and also, who the man child is.  If so, then the remaining Tribulation, after the "birth" of the man child up to the throne of God, will be 1260 days.  I believe that those left behind will be a part of the "two witnesses" who will be taken up just prior to the wrath of God on the remaining unbelieving world.
Few escaped the flood (as it was in the days of Noah), and Lot and his daughters got out of Sodom immediately before God's wrath came down (as it was in the days of Lot).  In this way, it may be that the "man child" portrays the Noahic days, and the remaining Church is taken up just prior to God's wrath and portrays the days of Lot.

And it's true what John Tng wisely says.....we all have differing opinions because we are not only Christians, but we are still human as well.

YsiC,

Arlene