Who is the restrainer the Bible talks about in 2 Thessalonians 2:6?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, the "restrainer" is believed to be the Holy Spirit, who actively holds back sin and lawlessness, preventing the Antichrist from being revealed until the proper time. This restraining role is supernatural, as only God has the power to overcome Satan and evil. The Holy Spirit’s work is crucial especially now, during the Church Age. He enables Christians to spread the Gospel and to live righteously. When the Church is removed at the Rapture, the Holy Spirit’s unique restraining role will also be lifted, allowing lawlessness to increase. Despite this, the Holy Spirit will continue working during the Tribulation, but His role will be different, as evidenced by the ongoing growth of the church and the eventual defeat of the Antichrist at Christ’s return.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The restrainer is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Second Thessalonians 2:6-7 reads, "And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way." The restrainer is clearly holding back sin and lawless living. Many options have been suggested, including government, preaching, the binding of Satan, the church, the Holy Spirit, or even the angel Michael. The context of the passage speaks of someone or something that restrains the Antichrist from being revealed until the proper time. To have this level of power, the restrainer must be something supernatural and most likely something good. This would remove the options of Satan, evil spirits, or human government.
• Only God has the power to overcome the power of Satan (1 John 4:4; Revelation 12:7-9). Therefore, the church or angels would not be the restrainer. Most likely, the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence holds back the power of lawlessness and of Antichrist's revealing (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8). At a future time when God's people are removed at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), the unique role the Holy Spirit has played during the Church Age will be removed, allowing the revealing of the Antichrist and increased lawlessness in the world (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
• This does not mean the Holy Spirit will not be at work during the Tribulation period. For example, the Book of Revelation mentions many Jewish people who will come to faith in Jesus during the Tribulation as well as others. In Revelation 11, Two Witnesses will perform acts that will require the involvement of God's Spirit. The Holy Spirit will still be alive and active, yet will in some ways work differently than during the period of time prior to the Rapture.
• The Holy Spirit's special role in the Church Age is also evident by the unique entry of the Holy Spirit's work in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. In that passage, the Spirit came to empower the disciples to begin the work of sharing the Gospel with others. The church continues to grow today, reaching many people around the world. Yet a future time will come when the Spirit will operate differently, allowing the appearance of an Antichrist who will ultimately reject God and persecute those devoted to Him. Only at the coming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation will the work of the Antichrist end.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The restraining role of the Holy Spirit is a special blessing. For now, the Holy Spirit allows Christians to continue sharing the good news of Jesus as Lord with all who will listen, resulting in many others coming to faith in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are called to live by the power of the Holy Spirit, reflecting His presence and work in the world. The Holy Spirit actively works in us to limit the influence of sin and lawlessness. In everyday life, this means that the Spirit empowers us to live with purpose and integrity, resisting the pull of worldly temptations. For example, in a work environment where gossip and dishonesty are prevalent, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to help us speak truth and maintain a standard of righteousness. Similarly, when faced with relationship challenges, we can draw on the Spirit's strength to reflect God’s love, patience, and grace. Just as the Spirit holds back lawlessness in the world, we are called to reflect His transformative power by living differently—shining His light in a world that desperately needs it. This isn't just a passive presence; He is active and empowers us to be change agents, pointing others to Christ as we live out His truth. The Holy Spirit in us is not only a guide but a witness to the world of God's ongoing work in redeeming creation.

UNDERSTAND

• The "restrainer" in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 is the Holy Spirit, preventing lawlessness and the Antichrist's revelation until the right time.
• The Holy Spirit’s restraining role will end at the Rapture, allowing lawlessness to increase.
• The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to live righteously and combats sin in the world today.

REFLECT

• How do you recognize the Holy Spirit's work in restraining sin in your life and in the world today?
• In what areas of your life can you actively rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to resist worldly temptations?
• What does the Holy Spirit’s role as the restrainer teach you about God’s ongoing plan for the world and your role in it?

ENGAGE

• How does understanding the Holy Spirit’s role as the restrainer impact our view of sin and lawlessness in the world?
• What can we learn from the Holy Spirit’s work in the Church Age that helps us live out our faith today?
• In light of the Tribulation and the future removal of the Holy Spirit’s restraining role, how should we respond to the urgency of sharing the Gospel?