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Omegatime

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2023
1,414
491
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Pennsylvania
#1
2 Thess.2: 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

Who is the restrainer??
 

bluto

Senior Member
Aug 4, 2016
2,129
546
113
#3
2 Thess.2: 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

Who is the restrainer??
The Holy Spirit at 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7. I can't think of anything or anyone more powerful that Gods Holy Spirit, can you?

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto
 
Feb 15, 2025
310
178
43
#4
2 Thess.2: 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

Who is the restrainer??
God.

I suggest to look for bible commentaries on bible books and chapters to help with figuring these things out .
The bible is written in different grammatical styles or forms. Parables of course. Also simile,metaphor, and allegorical.

I found that 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 6 is referring to God who will cease restraining evil so that sin has more reign here.

The man of lawlessness is the antichrist. I think. He performs miracles,signs and wonders. And reigns during that time because Satan empowers him.
This is,until Jesus returns to clean up the mess.

Now watch. I'm totally off base. Not that this is would be a first. Maybe a 12th or a 18th. lol
 

Omegatime

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2023
1,414
491
83
Pennsylvania
#6
God.

I suggest to look for bible commentaries on bible books and chapters to help with figuring these things out .
The bible is written in different grammatical styles or forms. Parables of course. Also simile,metaphor, and allegorical.

I found that 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 6 is referring to God who will cease restraining evil so that sin has more reign here.

The man of lawlessness is the antichrist. I think. He performs miracles,signs and wonders. And reigns during that time because Satan empowers him.
This is,until Jesus returns to clean up the mess.

Now watch. I'm totally off base. Not that this is would be a first. Maybe a 12th or a 18th. lol
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Cant imagine God being removed
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
4,086
559
113
#7
2 Thess.2: 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

Who is the restrainer??
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (the Lord's return) shall not come, except there come a falling away (ἀποστασία, feminine singular noun) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who (masculine singular relative pronoun) opposeth and and is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he (αὐτὸν, masculine singular) as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself (ἑαυτὸν masculine singular) that he is God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

2Th 2:6 And now (because I just told you) ye know the letting/restraining thing (τὸ κατέχον neuter singular: that there must be a falling away first) for him (αὐτὸν masculine singular: the man of sin) to be revealed in his (ἑαυτοῦ singular masculine) time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery (μυστήριον neuter singular) of lawlessness (the esoteric teaching that the Christian who sins will not die) is already working (inside the church, encouraging Christians to practise sin): only restraining/holding back (κατέχων neuter singular) [Christ's appearing] until he (the man of sin) or it (the mystery of lawlessness) becomes out of the midst (of the church).
2Th 2:8 And then shall that wicked person (ὁ ἄνομος masculine singular) be revealed, whom (ὃν masculine singular) the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose (οὗ masculine singular) coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

So, IMHO there are two things restraining.
1. The delay of the apostasy/falling away is restraining the revelation of the Lord (v. 3 and 6).
And 2. the mystery of lawlessness at work in the church is the seed that will eventually become a great apostasy within the church. But this mystery of lawlessness is only restraining/delaying Christ's appearing, by making the church less effective in winning the number of souls God is aiming for for His family; but this mystery of lawlessness will not prevent Christ's return. And this mystery of lawlessness will stop restraining Christ's return when the son of perdition comes out of the midst of the fully leavened church I think the translation of v. 7 should be "until he (the wicked one) becomes out of the midst of the church", rather than until it (the mystery of lawlessness) comes out of the church, because the mystery of lawlessness remains in the church at the revelation of the wicked one and leads to the great apostasy of those in churches who will follow the antichrist.

The Lord will not return until the world is evangelised with the true gospel (not the mystery of lawlessness) and the full number of the nations is come in. he will also not return until after the son of perdition is revealed whom he will slay with the sword of His mouth.
So, the mystery of lawlessness inside the church is presently delaying Christ's return by hindering the churches evangelism of all nations, people and tongues. And the delay of the revelation of the son of perdition is delaying the Lord's return, because 1. he must be revealed so that Jesus can slay him at His coming, And 2. he must be revealed to offer the strong delusion that will draw all the false believers out of the church and produce the falling away that must come first.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
26,111
14,092
113
#9
The bible is written in different grammatical styles or forms. Parables of course. Also simile,metaphor, and allegorical.
Psst... I think you mean literary forms. Also, "simile" and "metaphor" are merely types of figurative language, not literary forms in themselves. :)
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,849
677
113
#10
AI Overview


According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit's work to hold back evil is often referred to as "restraining" evil, where the Spirit acts as a force preventing widespread wickedness and chaos from fully manifesting, particularly through the concept of the "restrainer" mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:7; essentially acting as a barrier against the full power of evil until a specific time in God's plan.

Key points about the Holy Spirit's role as a restrainer:
  • Biblical reference:
    2 Thessalonians 2:7 states, "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed."

  • Meaning of "restraining":
    This verse signifies that the Holy Spirit actively holds back the forces of evil, preventing them from completely taking over the world.

  • Implications:
    This means that without the Holy Spirit's intervention, the level of evil in the world would be significantly greater.

How the Holy Spirit restrains evil:
  • Convicting of sin:
    The Holy Spirit works in people's hearts to make them aware of their wrong actions and motivate them to turn away from sin.

  • Empowering believers:
    By dwelling within believers, the Holy Spirit gives them the strength to resist temptation and live righteously.

  • Influencing society:
    The Holy Spirit can work through individuals to promote positive change and counteract evil influences within communities
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
1,883
656
113
#11
2 Thess.2: 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

Who is the restrainer??
We have been given all power all authority over the enemy.. and nothing shall by any means hurt us. Its Him.. As soon as He is taken out of the way .. not out of this world that is not written just out of the way its only then can the lawless one come out and do lying wonders. I know what I am in Christ Jesus... I know the authority I have its 100% just Him. There will never come a time when Satan will ever have more power then Christ in me. and the sweet sweet holy spirit who is with me for ever. Sorry got lost there haha

Ooh song playing.. something we should all be praying "Send forth the laborers.. we partner with you Father.. send forth the laborers. .. Father send me
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,615
2,635
113
#12
Hello,
It is my Belief that the RESTRAINER IS MICHAEL the ARCANGEL..
Michael or some angel is a great candidate cause they can restrain evil but they can also be "taken out of the way".............. This makes the Holy Spirit a BAD CANDIDATE FOR THIS PARTICULAR JOB, because the Holy Spirit cant just be "TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY".
 

bluto

Senior Member
Aug 4, 2016
2,129
546
113
#13
Michael or some angel is a great candidate cause they can restrain evil but they can also be "taken out of the way".............. This makes the Holy Spirit a BAD CANDIDATE FOR THIS PARTICULAR JOB, because the Holy Spirit cant just be "TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY".
WHY? The following list is the function of the Holy Spirit. https://revtrev.com/live-light/70-functions-of-the-holy-spirit/ In the list is Acts 16:6-7, "And they passed through the Phrygian Galstian region having been FORBIDDEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT to speak the word in Asia." Vs7, "and when they had come to Mysia they were trying to go into Bithynia and the Spirit of Jesus DID NOT PERMIT THEM."

Tell me Heyosmies, is anything too hard for God? Jeremiah 32:27, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?"

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto
 

Omegatime

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2023
1,414
491
83
Pennsylvania
#14
Michael or some angel is a great candidate cause they can restrain evil but they can also be "taken out of the way".............. This makes the Holy Spirit a BAD CANDIDATE FOR THIS PARTICULAR JOB, because the Holy Spirit cant just be "TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY".
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Are you Jehovah Witness by chance??
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,454
2,281
113
#15
Restrainer can be translated as 'hinderer' and, to me, it seems the general default is to assume that it is evil that is being hindered and so needs to be 'let loose' in order to operate at full power. And, indeed, when the dragon is bound, he is 'restrained' and can no longer deceive the nations for a thousand years. So, in that case, it is lies that are hindered. However, currently it seems to me, at least, that the dragon is still operating to hinder the truth.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
62,906
31,658
113
#16
Michael or some angel is a great candidate cause they can restrain evil but they can also be "taken out of the way".............. This
makes the Holy Spirit a BAD CANDIDATE FOR THIS PARTICULAR JOB, because the Holy Spirit cant just be "TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY".
Oh my goodness! Where in the world have you been since June 29, 2021???

Welcome back! .:D
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,615
2,635
113
#17
Oh my goodness! Where in the world have you been since June 29, 2021???

Welcome back! .:D
Thanks for the warm welcome!! Any of the OGs still on the yard? You are still here. Dino is still here......... Hope Nehemiah, Angela, Ahwatukee, mailmandan and BillG are still active and doing good.

-------------------------------------------------
Are you Jehovah Witness by chance??
I am TOTALLY not a JW. Im just a regular Christian, if I had to pick a denomination then I would identify as an independent, temperamental, fundamental, right-wing, radical, chicken eating baptist. I was baptized in a baptism church and its the ONLY CHURCH I have ever SERIOUSLY attended. I have visited an ORTHODOX church like TWICE. Very quickly I ran up outta there once I saw the ICONS and the candles and the kissing of them. The priest tried to explain it to me, I was a young guy I was like 18-19 and I was having NONE OF IT. I told him this is violating the 10 commandments buddy and never step foot into that church since. THANK GOD He gave me enough sense to not fall for that IKEA salvation plan having den of idolatry!
 
Feb 22, 2025
69
39
18
#18
Thanks for the warm welcome!! Any of the OGs still on the yard? You are still here. Dino is still here......... Hope Nehemiah, Angela, Ahwatukee, mailmandan and BillG are still active and doing good.


I am TOTALLY not a JW. Im just a regular Christian, if I had to pick a denomination then I would identify as an independent, temperamental, fundamental, right-wing, radical, chicken eating baptist. I was baptized in a baptism church and its the ONLY CHURCH I have ever SERIOUSLY attended. I have visited an ORTHODOX church like TWICE. Very quickly I ran up outta there once I saw the ICONS and the candles and the kissing of them. The priest tried to explain it to me, I was a young guy I was like 18-19 and I was having NONE OF IT. I told him this is violating the 10 commandments buddy and never step foot into that church since. THANK GOD He gave me enough sense to not fall for that IKEA salvation plan having den of idolatry!
The Holy Spirit at 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7. I can't think of anything or anyone more powerful that Gods Holy Spirit, can you?

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto
definately the Holy Spirit
 
Feb 15, 2025
310
178
43
#19
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Cant imagine God being removed
God isn't removed. However, God can choose to remove himself. Which is what I think the verse I referred to is saying.
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
1,996
1,181
113
#20
God.

I suggest to look for bible commentaries on bible books and chapters to help with figuring these things out .
The bible is written in different grammatical styles or forms. Parables of course. Also simile,metaphor, and allegorical.

I found that 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 6 is referring to God who will cease restraining evil so that sin has more reign here.

The man of lawlessness is the antichrist. I think. He performs miracles,signs and wonders. And reigns during that time because Satan empowers him.
This is,until Jesus returns to clean up the mess.

Now watch. I'm totally off base. Not that this is would be a first. Maybe a 12th or a 18th. lol

I just read about this on another website that also said the restrainer could be God. Here is the relevant part:

However, the simplest approach would be to say that “He who now restrains it” is God. God is ultimately the one who oversee it all. He holds the leash. He is the one who opens and shuts. He kills. He makes alive. He is totally and entirely Sovereign though he works through various agents and means. In the Book of Isaiah in the last chapter, when issues of the new heavens and the new earth are being discussed God says in verse 9:

“Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the LORD; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?” says your God.” (Isaiah 66:9 ESV)

Interestingly, the Hebrew word used in verse 9, translated by the ESV as “shut” literally means “to restrain”. It is the Hebrew word atzar. Thus God literally says in Isaiah 66:9 “shall I always restrain?” The implied answer is “no”. When the time comes, God will fully open the womb and everything planned and ordained from eternity past shall come forth.

In the closest NT parallel – in 1 Timothy 6:14-15 – the Apostle Paul tells his people to:

“keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time” (1 Timothy 6:14–15 ESV)

“He” in that passage is clearly God. God will decide when the Day of the Lord will be – he will decide when to send Jesus back to the earth. He is in total control of the timeline. Thus it is easy to imagine Paul saying to his people, without feeling the need for further explanation: “You KNOW what is restraining him” – if he were talking about God. Anything else would have to be explained.

The Apostle Peter likewise takes it for granted that God is ultimately in charge of the timing of eschatological events. He says:

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)


So this to me is a plausible and good argument. I used to think that it might be the archangel Michael, but God being the restrainer makes better sense. The fact that your post and then me finding the article arbitrarily right after that makes me give it some thought!



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