Does “Removing the Restrainer” in 2Thess. chapter 2 necessitate a pre-trib rapture?
In 2Thessalonians 2:6-7, Paul reminds his readers of previous discussions they had had about the coming appearance of Antichrist to the world, saying : “And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but he who now holds it back will continue to do so until he is taken out of the way.” Since the restrainer is referred to as both a “what” and a “he”, this vagueness has given rise to much speculation as to the restrainer’s identity. Suggestions range from God’s power to human government, to an angel, to Satan’s power. However, several considerations favor the view that the restrainer is the Holy Spirit : The main points are that several teachers in the early church taught that the restrainer is the Holy Spirit, and the restrainer is a personal “he”, and the restrainer must be powerful enough to hold back the working of Satan, who is the most powerful being in the universe other than God him
