Hello!
I am aware of Prewrathists believe Restrainer could be Archangel Micheal because they use Daniel 12:1, and also, some of them use Jude 9. They believe Archangel Micheal did restraining Antichrist form being to be reaveled.
I respect prewrathist, but, I disagree with them, even include Gavin also.
But, their intepreting of 2 Thess 2:7 does not bother me at all.
Pretribulationism intepreting 2 Thess 2:7 does bother me mostly.
Surprise, yes, I am partially agree with pretribbers that they believe Holy Spirit is the restrainer of 2 Thess 2:7.
Why? God is Holy Spirit. Remember, that God is trinity.
I disagree with pretribbers' interpreting on 2 Thess 2:7 that the Holy Spirit leaves as church is rapture.
I don't see the removal of the Holy Spirit in 2 Thess 2:7, it is not rapture.
My understanding of 2 Thess 2:7 is talking about Antichrist is now being holding back from to be revealed.
Who cause Antichrist being to be holding back? God does! Also, God is the Holy Spirit.
Antichrist is not allow to be revealed right now, because it is not his time yet. God knows when the time is right, then God will allow Antichrist to be revealed.
Paul tells us, Antichrist shall be removed from the midst(mystery)then he shall be revealed- 2 Thess 2:8.
'He' of 2 Thess 2:7 is Antichrist, because of the context of 2 Thess 2:3-8 is focus on Antichrist, not Holy Spirit.
I let you know there is no word 'restrainer' in 2 Thess 2:7.
It tells us, that he is holding back. Means Antichrist is holding back from being to be revealed.
If suppose pretribbers says, 'he' is Holy Spirit. Then that means, Holy Spirit being to be holding back, means Holy Spirit can't do anything with the Church since Early Church to present, there is no revival, no gospel, no conivinction!!Their interpreting is make no sense to me.
Pretribbers' interpreting of 2 Thess 2:7 is a twist.
You have to understand 2 Thess 2:7 more clear, you have to read the context of 2 Thess 2:3-8 carefully.
Conclusion: 2 Thess 2:7 is talking about Antichrist is now being holding back from being to be revealed.
The question is: Why does the Antichrist is now being holding back? I believe the reason he is now holding back, God have his purpose of his desire want to see more people to become saved by the gospel. The gospel must spread over all the world then the end will come - Matt 24:14. Second, Antichrist cannot be revealed till Church become apostasy(2 Thess 2:3), as the world condition getting worser, then when the time is right, God will allow Antichrist to be revealed.
In Christ
Rev. 22:20 - Amen!