The seven-year tribulation is Daniel's 70th week, which begins with the Antichrist's covenant with Israel, is split into two 3.5-year halves, and culminates in great tribulation and God's righteous conclusion for Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that the tribulation opens when the Antichrist signs a seven-year treaty with Israel, triggering the final unfulfilled week of Daniel's prophecy (Clips 1, 4, 7). The period is always divided into two halves: the first three and a half years are not as severe as the last three and a half (Clip 1). At the midpoint, the temple is desecrated and the 'great tribulation' begins, unlike anything in history (Clip 3). God uses this time to deal with Israel and bring the believing remnant into His Kingdom (Clip 6).
Daniel 9:27 — This verse directly describes the seven-year covenant confirmed by the Antichrist and its division in the middle, which Les identifies as the opening event and structure of the tribulation.
Matthew 24:21 — Jesus describes the unprecedented great tribulation of the latter half, which Les references to explain the severity of the final 3.5 years.
The Bible's foundational prophecy for the seven-year period is found in Daniel 9. Daniel 9:24 declares, 'Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city...' The final week—a seven-year period—remains unfulfilled. Daniel 9:27 describes the covenant that begins it: '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...' This passage shows a full seven years divided at the midpoint. Jesus also spoke of the last half of that period. Matthew 24:21 says, 'For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.' He also warned of the abomination of desolation and told His disciples to flee (Matthew 24:15). Together these passages give the starting point, the two-part division, and the unprecedented severity of the seven-year tribulation.
Les Feldick explains that the seven-year tribulation is the final 'one week' of Daniel's 490-year prophecy, left uncompleted after Israel rejected the King and Kingdom (Clips 0, 5). He teaches that the church age (the body of Christ) is sandwiched between the 483 fulfilled years and the final seven; when the church is gone, God returns to His prophetic clock (Clip 2). The opening event is the Antichrist—'the prince that shall come'—signing a seven-year treaty with Israel (Clips 1, 2, 4, 7). Once that covenant is signed, Israel will lay down her defenses (Clip 4). Les stresses that the entire period is always divided into two 42-month halves (Clip 1). The first half is not the full wrath and vexation; the last 3.5 years are far worse (Clip 1). At the midpoint, the temple is desecrated and the abomination occurs; Israel is told to flee, and from then on it is 'great tribulation' such as never was (Clip 3). Throughout these seven years, God deals primarily with the nation of Israel (Clips 2, 6). Israel returns to temple worship and the Law (Clip 3). When the seven years end, God's righteousness brings wrath and judgment on the unbelieving element, while the believing remnant enters the glory of His rule and reign in His Kingdom (Clip 6).
Les teaches that the triggering event is the signing of a seven-year covenant between the Antichrist and Israel (Clips 1, 4, 7). This covenant confirms or makes a treaty 'with many' Jews who are back in the land (Clip 4). The moment it is signed, Israel will lay down her defenses (Clip 4), and the time clock of Daniel's 70th week begins (Clip 7). From a biblical standpoint, Daniel 9:27 describes this covenant.
At the midpoint of the seven years, Daniel and Jesus divided the period (Clip 3). Les explains that Israel will have returned to temple worship and the Law, and at the midpoint the temple is desecrated—the abomination of desolation—and Israel is told to flee to the mountains (Clip 3). From that point forward, 'great tribulation' takes place, worse than anything since the beginning of the world (Clip 3, Matthew 24:21).
Les emphasizes that the tribulation is God's renewed dealing with Israel after the church age. The body of Christ is removed before the final seven years begin (Clip 2). God deals primarily with the Jew during those years (Clip 6). By the end, God's righteousness separates the suffering of the unbelieving element from the blessed entry of the believing remnant into His Kingdom (Clip 6).
Unfinished Seven Years
Les explains that the final seven years of Daniel's prophecy were never completed and that Israel's rejection led to the insertion of the Age of Grace.
Tribulation Opens with Treaty
Les teaches that the seven-year tribulation opens when the Antichrist signs the seven-year treaty with Israel, and that the period is always divided into two 42-month halves.
Church Removed, Israel Focused
Les says the church age is sandwiched between the fulfilled 483 years and the final seven, and after the church is gone God brings about the final seven years focusing on Israel.
Midpoint and Great Tribulation
Les teaches that at the midpoint the temple is desecrated, the abomination appears, and the final 3.5 years are the great tribulation unlike any in history.
Antichrist's Covenant
Les identifies the Antichrist as the prince who shall come, who confirms a covenant with many Jews for seven years, and Israel responds by laying down her defenses.
The 70th Week Is Future
Les explains that 483 years were fulfilled at the crucifixion, leaving the final seven years of the tribulation still future.
God Deals with Israel
Les teaches that the whole seven years are God dealing with Israel, bringing wrath on the unbelieving and the believing remnant into His Kingdom.
Time Clock Triggered
Les says the seven unfulfilled years start when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel, triggering Daniel's clock.
Daniel 9:24: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
This verse establishes the 490-year timetable for Israel, of which the final seven years are the tribulation.
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.
This verse describes the Antichrist's seven-year covenant and the midpoint desecration.
Matthew 24:21: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Jesus describes the unprecedented severity of the final half of the tribulation.
Les teaches it begins when the Antichrist signs a seven-year treaty with Israel, which triggers Daniel's 70th week (Clips 1, 4, 7). Israel will lay down her defenses when that treaty is signed.
It is divided into two three-and-a-half-year halves (42 months each). The last half is the great tribulation, while the first half is not as severe (Clips 1, 3).
At the midpoint, the temple is desecrated and the abomination occurs. Israel is told to flee, and from then on the great tribulation begins (Clip 3).
God deals primarily with Israel during the tribulation; the body of Christ has been removed before this final seven years begins (Clips 2, 6).
Watch the Teaching: From Adam to Tribulation: God's Biblical Timeline Explained