Can you explain to me how those “left behind” after the rapture will come to a saving knowledge of Christ? 2 Thessalonian 2:6-7 states that He who now restrains will be removed before the man of lawlessness (Antichrist?) is revealed. Many scholars think that “He who now restrains” is the Holy Spirit with the church which will be both removed at the rapture, but then without the Holy Spirit on Earth how can people come to Christ? Also some support the idea that salvation during the tribulation will be a mix of faith + good deeds. If this is so it sounds completely like a new paradigm in which what we now know about the doctrine of salvation will change. Is this “new paradigm” anywhere explained in the Bible?
We have the seal of the Holy Spirit to guarantee our inheritance (Ephes. 1:13-14). After the rapture we will have received our inheritance and will no longer need the Holy Spirit’s guarantee. He will resume a ministry on Earth similar to his Old Testament ministry where He was with people but never in them, and will continue to lead people to Jesus.
At the rapture the Age of Grace will end and the seven remaining years of the Age of Law will be completed. Revelation 14:12 tells us that during this time believers will need to obey God’s commandments as well as remain faithful to Jesus to assure their salvation.