I Agree with the 3.5 years, but i believe the Mark of the Beast will be what divides the wheat and the tares. The man of sin is revealed first and commits the abomination of desolation which is the start of the tribulation (Matthew 24:14-15, 2 Thessalonians 2:3) The beast will make war on the saints and overcome them.... (Revelation 13:7, Daniel 7:21-22) The worst -place you can be is living in unbelief when this happens, or worse yet in partial belief deceiving yourself that you will escape these things.
The Escape all those things of Luke is in reference to the wrath of God Read Luke 21:34-36 in its full context, the escape spoken about is not escape from tribulation as the rapture teachers teach, but escape from being exposed as one of the tares.
The abomination of desolation is the middle of Daniel 70th week, not the beginning of it.
Jesus described much more than just God’s wrath, then says we can escape ALL THOSE THINGS coming on the world. - not just one aspect of what He described
11. (Luk 21:34-38) How to live in the last days.
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
a. We must take heed because there are certain things that will make one unprepared - carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life. Each of these things can make us unprepared for the day of Jesus’ return.
i. Carousing literally refers to the hangover that comes after a time of intoxication.
b. Watch therefore: We must watch. Anyone who watches will never be caught in a snare - our failure to watch keeps us from being ready.
c. We must pray always, that we may be found worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass. The good news in Jesus is that we don’t have to go through this calamity that is coming. He will take as many as are ready before this calamity begins.