The tribulation is already here, man, and it's of our own making. As amusing as you may picture it, it's not, really.
Trust me Arlo, it has not started yet! The rapture comes first, then the tribulation will come. However the timeline between the rapture and the start of the tribulation is unknown, it maybe 1 day or 50 years, the scriptures don't tell us. My grandparents and my parents hoped to see the rapture, thinking the human race couldn't get any more wicked. Well they were wrong on that account, I'm not sure I'll live to see the rapture either. Any time I think the human race can't get anymore corrupt/wicked, it proves me wrong.
One thing for sure though, Israel is back in it's home land, as was prophesied by scripture. A per-requiste for the Lords return. Every day is another day closer to the rapture. Do you KNOW where you will go?? Hope to see you there.