What will be happening in Israel at the midpoint of the tribulation?
At the midpoint of the tribulation, Israel has enjoined temple worship. The Antichrist moves from his headquarters in Europe to the temple, defiles it, immediately stops all Jewish worship, and demands that he himself be worshiped as God. This triggers the final three-and-a-half years.
Les explains that the first half is not three-and-a-half years of peace and prosperity; there will be famine, pestilence, earthquakes, and various judgments until the midpoint. At that point, when Israel has enjoined temple worship, the Antichrist will move from his headquarters somewhere in Europe—whether Rome, Brussels, or whatever—to the temple. He will defile it, immediately stop any kind of Jewish worship, and demand that he himself be worshiped as God. That triggers the final three-and-a-half years. Les also compares these tribulation judgments to birth pangs that intensify as delivery approaches.