Bible Question:
Why are people confusing the Holy Spirit with the Restrainer, the Archangel, and Michael? It is the Restrainer (keeping Satan restrained) who will be called to Heaven and not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in each and everyone of us and it is a matter of whether or not we choose to acknowledge it. Some people call it our conscience.
Bible Answer:
There are a variety of answers for the questions proposed by an initial question, “Who is the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6?” Biblically, there is only one real answer to the question. The answer will be explained in this discussion.
The Bible teaches that the Spirit of God is not a force or an impersonal, abstract power. He is a person who has emotion, a will and intelligence. He is known as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of Faith, and by many other names. The Spirit is never referred to as an “it” in Scripture. Instead, the Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as “He” or “Him” (John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26).
Many verses reveal the Holy Spirit has emotions. For example, Ephesians 4:30 states the Holy Spirit can be grieved. He has joy (Romans 14:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6) and be quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19). He can speak to us (Acts 10:19-21), help us (John 15:26), He teaches us (1 Corinthians 2:13), and helps us pray (Romans 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit has a will according to Hebrews 2:4. He moved men to write the Bible (2 Peter 1:20-21). Now that sounds like a person because He is a person.
The Holy Spirit is also our God. Acts 5:3-5 is one important passage that proves this fact. Here we are told that a husband and wife in the early church sold some land they had owned, but kept part of the money for themselves. Then they told the apostle Peter that they were donating all of it to the church. They lied. So, the apostle Peter said,
Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. Acts 5:3-5 (NASB)
Peter said Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit (v. 3) and then he said, “You have not lied to men, but to God.” Peter makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is God. Other passages also show that the Holy Spirit is God (Hebrews 9:14, Job 33:4, Ps. 139:7, Isaiah 40:13-14, and Matthew 12:31). So, the Holy Spirit is God and His ministry is here upon this earth among us.
So, who is the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6? Here is 2 Thessalonians 2:3-6.
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-6 (NASB)
The passage says the “restrainer” restrains the “man of lawlessness” or the “son of destruction.” The “man of lawlessness” is the antichrist, a person who will some day appear on the pages of history as a very powerful world dictator. He will be a very evil leader for his power will be derived from Satan (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12). So, if Satan empowers and supports the man of lawlessness, the antichrist, who can oppose him? Who can oppose Satan? Only God has the power – the power to oppose this man. So, it is the Holy Spirit who is the restrainer.
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NASB)
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee that we are Christians. He lives in us, teaches us, helps us, prays with us, gives spiritual gifts, and empowers us. God has not left believers alone upon this world. The Holy Spirit, God Himself, is the one who is currently restraining Satan and sin (Job 1:10-12; Romans 1:20-24, 26, 28). For more information visit “Who is the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7? — 8 Views.”