1stOctober
Will the Holy Spirit be here after the Rapture?
Categories: Rapture, Tribulation, prophecy, end times, eschatology, Second Coming | 2007 | by Ken Horn | 4 commentsWill the Holy Spirit be here on the earth after Jesus raptures His church? Will the Holy Spirit be left on the earth during the Tribulation?
It is commonly held evangelical belief that the Holy Spirit will not remain on earth after the Rapture in the same sense that He is here now during the Church Age. This is based upon 2 Thessalonians 2:7: “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way” (NIV). The Holy Spirit, as the one who restrains evil on the earth (a concept known as common grace), seems to be the one referred to in this verse. (There are varying interpretations.)
The first response to this answer makes a good point. The Rapture de facto removes the true Church and it is in the sense of the Holy Spirit indwelling the Church that He will not be present. Of course, as God He continues to be omnipresent.
Ken Horn
The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity. He has the attributes of God because He is God. God is at all places at all times. Where can we go and the LORD is not there? He is everywhere. I believe that Scripture iin 2 Thes 2:7 is speaking of the church. The church also restrains politics, decisions in theology, etc. If the church is not here than major poliitical decisions going against Israel will be done.
I believe the key to Ken’s response is: “the Holy Spirit will not remain on earth after the Rapture in the same sense that He is here now…” His presence cannot be excluded from any location, but His role can be altered… “taken out of the way.”
What about the 144,000 - 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes. Surely they will take over where the church left off. Will it not be God’s Holy Spirit that motivates them? They will see our Lord for who he really is and isn’t it the Holy Spirit who reveals this truth? My understanding is that they will be on earthh during the tribulation. We should be praying for them as our Heavenly Father could be preparing their hearts right now for all that they will be up against in that time.
I don’t intend to be dogmatic either way. My inclination is to believe that the Holy Spirit is that one that is restraining “until he be taken out of the way.” When will he be taken out of the way? It seems that will have to happen at a time when the enemy will still be able to make advances without the restraining power of that one who is restraining. Surely, that will be the tribulation. So, my expectation is that the role of the Holy Spirit will change during the tribulation. I don’t pretend to know the timing or extent of that change, and to make suppositions would be folly. One thing I do know, I don’t want to be left to find out first hand.