What must happen before God begins the tribulation with Israel?
Before God can begin the tribulation with the nation of Israel, the church must be removed. The church age, predominantly Gentile and totally insulated, must end. Only then can God pick up and begin that tribulation with Israel. Scripture gives no date for this removal, only its imminence.
Les explains that the church age began after Israel lost her temple and national state in 70 A.D., when God's time clock stopped. During this age, Christ is calling out the Body of Christ, which is predominantly Gentile and totally insulated. Les emphasizes that before God can pick up and begin the tribulation with the nation of Israel, the church must be removed. He warns against the teaching that the church will go into the tribulation, and he notes that no one can set a date for Christ's return because it is only imminent. Believers should reject anyone who sets a date as a false teacher, since Scripture gives no ability to do so.