We are at the edge of the millennium ...6,000 years from Adam , and near 2,000 years from the cross. We know from Daniel 9:24-27 what ACT initiates the 7 year tribulation ( Antichrist confirms a covenant of 7 years with many ). So , how do we interpret and understand the timeline connection of this ACT( beginning the last 7 years) to our own redemption ?

First, reconsider " confirming a covenant ". No private citizen "confirms a covenant". This person is in some position of power. He heads some organization or national entity. He is "already" in power when he "confirms a covenant". 

Second , there is some sort of time gap between a rapture of believers and the  CONFIRMING ACT which initiates the 7 year tribulation. If the gap is short - minutes, even a week , then there is not enough time for Antichrist to assume power, take over his position , and confirm a covenant. Not only does Antichrist need time to assume power but the current occupant of the position Antichrist will assume must first be deposed/removed/resign/etc. 

 If the gap is longer , then that solves this one issue but it creates a great difficulty for a rapture that would take place multiple weeks before the ACT....If the rapture is a month or more before the ACT what happens to converts to Messiah in this period --- converts after the rapture but before the tribulation ? 

Third, it seems most likely that the time gap between rapture and the ACT is extremely short , mere seconds or , at most, like Noah, 7 days. This corresponds with scripture examples Lot, Noah, the Red Sea crossing, etc. and it.... implies... that Antichrist has already assumed some power when he "confirms a covenant" ...the ACT which starts the final 7 years....

Summarizing, I think several events causing chaos need to transpire. The destruction of Mystery Babylon -- see Ron Reese -- removal of world organizational leadership , the United Nations or perhaps national leaders, and the subsequent seizure of a vacant office by Antichrist who proceeds to confirm a covenant....