Why will God not be in the religious rituals during the first three and a half years?
God will not be present in those rituals because the participants continue to deny the Christ who died for them. Despite having temples, priests, sacrifices, and religious forms, the Shekinah glory and Ark are gone, leaving only outward practice without His presence.
Les explains that during the first three and a half years it will be much the same as at the time of Christ. They will have the temple, priests, and sacrifices, and go through all the rituals and religion aspects, but God won't be in it. The reason is that they are still denying the Christ who has died for them. The Shekinah glory and Ark of the Covenant are gone, so only outward religion remains. Later, the Antichrist will destroy this great world religious system so he can have full and complete control, according to God's will until the seven years end.