When will the great tribulation begin?

Les teaches that just as Jesus was speaking, He knows what He is talking about. When the Antichrist moves into the temple and defiles it at the midpoint of the tribulation, then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, nor ever shall be. Les points out that there have been tremendous calamities in history, like the Flood and the Holocaust, but this will be unparalleled. He also notes that Israel will be back under the law, so they should pray their flight not be on the Sabbath, because the law limited how far they could walk. They are to flee to the mountains southeast of Israel, possibly into Moab, with the Red Rock City of Petra a distinct possibility. The context shows a complete cross-section of society—retired people, working people, young mothers, and mothers-to-be—affected by this time.