The tribulation begins when the Antichrist signs a seven-year covenant with Israel.
According to Daniel 9:27, this covenant sets God's time clock in motion again after the church age. At the same time, the church is removed, and Israel resumes temple worship. The two witnesses also appear at the beginning.
Daniel 9:27 — This verse explicitly describes the covenant that starts the final seven years.
The Bible says that a prince shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (seven years), and in the middle of that week he shall cause sacrifice and oblation to cease (Daniel 9:27). This covenant is the starting point of the final seven-year period. At the midpoint, the temple is desecrated, and the abomination of desolation occurs, prompting Jesus to warn people to flee (Matthew 24:15-16).
Les Feldick teaches that the tribulation begins when the Antichrist signs a seven-year treaty with Israel, which restarts God's time clock that stopped at the cross. Prior to this, the church age must come to a close, and the final Gentile is brought in. Israel will be back in the land and will have rebuilt the temple, with temple worship already in operation. At the same time, God sends the two witnesses to Jerusalem, and the 144,000 Jews are sealed. The first three and a half years may seem peaceful, but it is not a time of real peace and prosperity; rather, it is marked by famine, pestilence, and earthquakes.
Les Feldick teaches that the signing of the seven-year treaty between the Antichrist and Israel is the trigger mechanism that begins the final seven years. This event puts God's time clock back in gear, which had been stopped since the cross. It is a specific event that starts the countdown to the tribulation.
Les Feldick explains that for the Antichrist to stop the sacrifice and oblation at the midpoint, temple worship must already be in operation. Therefore, Israel must have her temple rebuilt before or at the beginning of the seven-year period.
Les Feldick mentions that at the same time the tribulation begins, God sends the two witnesses to Jerusalem to proclaim the Word of God to the nation of Israel. Also, the 144,000 Jews are sealed and become evangelists to the world. He also notes that there will be a great Russian invasion into Israel sometime after the tribulation begins, and various judgments of God begin to fall.
Les Feldick warns against the idea that the first three and a half years will be a time of real peace and prosperity. He says that while it may seem so for a little while, it will be short-lived. There will be famine, pestilence, and earthquakes until the midpoint.
Tribulation's Opening Deceptions
Les clarifies that the first three and a half years will not be a time of real peace and prosperity; it will be short-lived as the Antichrist brings temporary peace.
Temple Worship Must Be Operating
Les explains that for the Antichrist to stop sacrifices at the midpoint, temple worship must already be in operation at the start of the tribulation.
Midpoint Desecration
Les references Daniel's division of the seven years and Jesus' warning to flee at the midpoint when the temple is desecrated.
Two Witnesses and Antichrist's Defilement
Les explains that at the midpoint the two witnesses are killed, and the Antichrist enters the temple to defile it and force Israel to worship him.
Israel's Early Amazement at Antichrist
Les notes that for the first three and a half years, Israel will be awed by the Antichrist's protection and may wonder if he is the real Messiah.
Seven-Year Treaty Kicks God's Clock
Les teaches that the Antichrist's signing of a seven-year treaty with Israel restarts God's time clock, marking the beginning of the tribulation.
Treaty Starts the Countdown
Les explains that when the treaty is signed, God's seven-year time clock starts, and at the midpoint sacrifices cease.
Trigger Mechanism and Initial Events
Les calls the treaty signing the trigger mechanism for the final seven years and mentions the two witnesses, the 144,000, and the Russian invasion as early events.
Daniel 9:27: And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Key verse describing the covenant that begins the seven-year tribulation and the midpoint cessation of sacrifices.
Matthew 24:15-16: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Jesus references Daniel's prophecy and instructs people to flee at the midpoint when the temple is desecrated.
The tribulation begins when the Antichrist signs a seven-year covenant with Israel, as described in Daniel 9:27. This event restarts God's time clock for the final seven years.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that temple worship must already be in operation for the Antichrist to stop sacrifices at the midpoint, so the temple must be rebuilt before or at the beginning of the seven-year period.
Yes, Les Feldick indicates that the two witnesses are introduced at the beginning of the tribulation, coming to Jerusalem to proclaim God's Word to Israel.
Watch the Teaching: From Adam to Tribulation: God's Biblical Timeline Explained