Why must the Church be taken out of the way before the final seven years?
The Church, as the Body of Christ, belongs to a Pauline revelation distinct from Old Testament prophecy and Israel. It must be removed so God can resume dealing with Israel and bring about the final seven years, divided into two 3½-year periods, culminating in Antichrist's appearance.
Les explains that after Pentecost, when Israel would not believe Jesus was the Christ, God sent them back into the mainstream of humanity and began something totally different: the outcalling of the Body of Christ, the Church Age. This is Pauline revelation, so it has nothing to do with Old Testament prophecy or the nation of Israel. Consequently, the Church, which is His Body, must be taken out of the way at the rapture before God can pick up again with Israel and bring out the final seven years. That final seven years is divided 3½ and 3½, leading to the appearance of the Antichrist.