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2 Thess 2:6-7 is the mostly hot debate than any verse in the Bible today.
Myself notice there are few different views of being to identify restrainer:
Holy Spirit
Church
God
Satan
Antichrist
Roman Empire
Archangel Micheal
Which one of them is correct?
Early Church intepreted 2 Thess 2:7 - 'he' is Roman Empire. Nearly no Early Christians saying, 'he' is Holy Spirit in their time.
When I first heard on 2 Thess 2:7 'he' is Holy Spirit as restrainer, when the Holy Spirit leaves, as the Church rapture then Antichrist to be revealed years ago. I was not really not understand what 2 Thess 2:7 is talking about. Although, I accepted their teaching. The way they teaching on 2 Thess 2:7 - 'he' is Holy Spirit as restrainer is teaching by Baptists.
I am still a Baptist since I was a pretribber before. Today, I am still a Baptist, while I am a posttribber.
I consider 2 Thess 2:7 is the most difficult to interpreting.
10 years ago, I read two books - "The Sign", and "Prewrath Rapture". Both books believe 2 Thess 2:7 'he' is Archangel Micheal.
I do not agree with them. I already talked to Gavin in person about 2 Thess 2:7. I told him, Apostle Paul does not identify 'he' is Archangel Micheal. Gavin told me, he believes 'he' is Archangel Micheal. I respect him well.
I do study 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 many times.
The key that we could understand 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 better is, we have to read contextually from verse 1 to 8, so, we could understand the whole context what Paul was talked about.
Before Paul wrote second epistle to the Church of Thessalonica. He already wrote the first epistle to the Church of Thessalonica, explained about the coming of the Lord. The first epistle of Thessalonians is the theme or topic is about the coming of the Lord.
After he wrote the first epistle to them. I believe Paul might already heard rumours from Christians in the area of Thessalonica about the timing of Christ's return. I am sure he was upset with them. They were misunderstood him on the coming of the Lord.
So, he have to write another epistle to the Church of Thessalonica again. He have to explain to them on the coming of the Lord again.
That's why, Paul told them, that he beseeches them to pay attention to his teaching repeat on the coming of the Lord - 2 Thess 2:1.
Paul told them, that he told them, don't be panic, worry, high hope, excellent by hear the rumors on the day of Christ is already arrived or anytime - 2 Thess 2:2.
Paul told them, don't let anyone deceive them on the rumours or false teaching on the timing of Christ's return. He told them, day of Christ will NOT come till we will see falling away first(apostasy), and we will see Antichrist to be revealed BEFORE day of Christ comes - 2 Thess 2:3.
Paul told them, Antichrist will be blasphemy against God, as he exalteth himself as God, and he will rule over the temple of God(Church- 1 Cor. 3:16; & 6:19 too)same with Rev. 13:6-7 - 2 Thess 2:4.
Paul told them, that they remembered what he already explained to them (1 Thess 3:4) that we shall have tribulation and persecutions same with 2 Thess 2:4 & Rev. 13:6-7.
Paul explained to them, what thing is holding back Antichrist from being to be revealed in his time - 2 Thess 2:6. My understanding of 2 Thess 2:6 is talking about Antichrist is now being holding back from being to be revealed, because it is not Antichrist's time to be reaveled yet. Because God is in His control of His time, and the plan.
I have an illustration on 2 Thess 2:6. In the book of Job in the Old Testament. Satan went up to heaven, to face God sat on the throne. Satan asked Him, for the permission if he can harm or kill Job. God told him, no he can't touch Job. Satan obeyed God's authority.
Same with Antichrist, he cannot to be reaveled in his time. Because it is not his time yet. God is in His control of His time. God knows the right time. Then, God will allow Antichrist to be revealed when the time comes.
Paul told them, the mystery of iniquity is already doing work in the world today - 1 John 2:18 & 4:3 - 2 Thess 2:7a.
My understanding of 2 Thess 2:7a is talking about the wicked system is already work spread over the world since creation to today. Because, Paul called Satan, 'god of this world'. God allows Satan to rule over the world, but he is limited by God.
Paul told them, he is now holding back right now -2 Thess 2:7b.
My understanding of 2 Thess 2:7b is talking about Antichrist is now holding back from being to be revealed, because it is not his time yet.
"letteth will let" of KJV seems weak translation to me. It translated from Textus Receptus(Greek) saying holding back. I refers to depend on Textus Receptus translation, because KJV was translated come from Greek. That's why I depend on Greek.
Paul told them, he will be removed out of the midst - 2 Thess 2:7c
My understanding of 2 Thess 2:7c is talking about, God will allow Antichrist to be removed from the mystery when the time comes.
I don't see gathering together or Holy Spirit leaves in 2 Thess 2:7. Not what Paul was talking about.
Remember the hermenuetic rule- Interpreting in Contextually.
Who is 'he' of 2 Thess 2:7? You have to start read with verse 3 first. 2 Thess 2:3 says, "man of sin" means Antichrist. Then, Paul continued explained on Antichrist from verse 3 thru 8.
"himself" "he" "Himself" "he" - 2 Thess 2:4 is context with verse 3 is Antichrist.
"he" "his" - 2 Thess 2:6 is context with verse 3 is Antichrist.
"he" "his" - 2 Thess 2:7 is context with verse 3 is Antichrist.
"Wicked" - 2 Thess 2:8 is context with verse 3 is Antichrist.
You can't find any verse in this chapter saying Holy Spirit.
The contextually of 2 Thess 2:3-8 is focus on Antichrist.
Paul told them, when Antichrist is removed from the midst(mystery) then.... He is revealed - 2 Thess 2:7c - 8!!!
I don't see rapture or removal of the Holy Spirit in 2 Thess 2:7.
2 Thess 2:7 is not talking about rapture or removal of the Holy Spirit. It is talking about Antichrist is now holding back from being to be revealed.
2 Thess 2:7 is not the evidence of pretribulation.
The teaching of 2 Thess 2:7 is the removal of the Holy Spirit by Baptist is only 100 years old doctrine.
Early Church does not teach on 2 Thess 2:7 is the removal of the Holy Spirit. Because pretribulation doctrine was not exist in the Early Church.
Have a nice day!
In Christ
Rev. 22:20 - Amen!