Hello Wes:
 
You wrote:
 
Actually, the antichrist is revealed at the signing of the
convenient, which begins the Tribulation Period.
 
That's not what Paul said.  Infact, Paul had an huge opportunity to use the "confirming of the covenant" spoken by Daniel as a way to explain to the saints at Thessalonica when the man of sin would be revealed. Instead, he chose to use the event known as the abomination of desolations.
 
My question to you is..why?
 
 Why did Paul willfully leave out the "confirming of the covenant" spoken by Daniel the prophet as a way of knowing the man of sin?
 
Did Paul "forget"? Highly unlikely seeing Paul was extremely gifted by God who wrote under the inspiration of! the Holy Spirit. We christians assume "the confirming of the covenant"is the revealing of the man of sin, when infact the bible never said such a thing. Infact, Jesus himself could have also marked the "confirming of the covenant" spoken by Daniel as a way of knowing the man of sin as he taught the disciples about the end of the age. But he, instead, designated the abomination of desolations spoken by Daniel as a full proof way of knowing.
 
So there you have it, 2 witnesses, Jesus and Paul both declaring that the abomination of desolation is indeed the true marker in identifying the man of sin. I doubt you can find 2 greater witnesses than those whom I've just mentioned.  :)
 
But I understand your dilemma. If you subscribe to the above reasoning, you'll have no choice but to except that the rapture happens "mid-trib". Something many pre-tribbers frown upon. I myself am a pre-tribber. I believe the church! will be raptured just like Paul said it would..prior to the man of sin being revealed. I guess our biggest differences are the sources we choose to use. You chose Daniel, I chose Jesus and Paul. Make no mistake though, the man of sin will confirm the covenant with many just as you stated, however, only a few will be able to discern who he really is. For partisan politics will play such a huge role within some christian circles that it will make it virtually impossible to discern the man of sin. During these end times,  we have prominent world wide known christian leaders calling for the murder/ execution of other human beings and condemning entire cities to ruin. I said it before and I'll say it again, partisan politics will be the down fall of many. These gingoistic bellicose patriots are deceived never realizing that there unwavering support for their respective leaders will lead to the destruction of billions of lives, including their own. Be not pa! rtakers of this world, for this world is already condemned.
 
I do however agree with your letter with regards to John Clark calling the Holy Spirit a gentle dove pertaining to its ability to combat evil. I think John hasn't fully comprehended the awesome power that the body of Christ possesses here in the earth during this dispensation of grace.
 
" Upon this ROCK I will build my church and the very gates of hell shall not prevail against it"
 
BTW.. John Clark, the Holy Spirit was present in the earth before the church was created on the day of Pentecost, and will remain after the church is raptured.  :)
 
The "church" is truely a unique entity/creation..thank you Lord!
 
John