This is an interesting question, but the Bible does not say. We read in Daniel 9:27 that the antichrist confirms/strengthens a covenant with many, and we learned the last seven years begin at this time (see Appendix C in the Last Days book for the explanation for this).

Then immediately we read in Daniel that half way through the seven years the antichrist puts an end to sacrifice and offering and sets up an abomination of desolation. No information is given about the antichrist’s activities between the two events of confirming/strengthening the covenant and the abomination of desolation.

When we again read about the antichrist in Daniel (Daniel 11:36-44), it is after the abomination of desolation has occurred, and the activities of the antichrist are then described in detail.

Likewise, when Jesus and Paul give information leading up to the abomination of desolation, they do not mention activities of the antichrist. Their first mention of him is at the abomination of desolation. (They also do not mention the confirming of the covenant. It might be that most of the church is unaware of this event.)