My first thoughts about the phrase is that the false Christs would begin showing up soon after His ascension. They then have continued to show up throughout history.
P.S. I am pre-mil but not pre-trib. I don't quite know what box I would best fit in. Probably not any right now. I see many things attributed to the "great" tribulation that were fulfilled in history, such as a number of statements made in Matt 24 happening in 70 A.D. But there are missing pieces that I have not settled. I spend most of my energy on the text issue, so I'll leave the future up to those who are smart enough to figure it all out. God is sovereign and my lack of knowledge about the future is not going to affect its outcome. I'm just letting you know a little about where I am in this.
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