There are a few different theories about “the one who restains.” Some say the Holy Spirit, that is, at the pre-trib rapture of the church. (But how do people get saved during the following period?) Others think it refers to the Roman government. Others think it means America gets taken out. Others think it’s Michael the archangel.
We know that not only can human governments not restrain Satan, there is no angel who is more powerful in the angelic hierarchy than Satan so it can't be Michael who has been restraining Satan all these thousands of years, and it only takes a cursory glance at the front page of any newspaper to see that not only can America not restrain Satan, America is lurching further and further away from God with each passing day.
The Scripture doesn't give any hint at all of any person who has the power to control Satan other than God. This, along with the fact that every believer in Christ receives the Holy Spirit at the moment he or she accepts Christ as Savior leads many to believe that the "One Who restrains" in 2 Thessalonians can only be the Holy Spirit.
I have heard it argued different ways by clergy I respect, but I tend to lean to the belief that there will be some who come to know Christ during those seven years and will gain understanding of what is happening, but that conversion Will result in persecution and even death.
By the way, so far you are lucky. Usually when a thread starts on the end-times or the Rapture - out come the doubters who are too eager to share their higher knowledge on us, or those who are so dead sure their scenario for the end-times is the only scenario they'll you call you a heretic if you differ with them. It gets ugly.
Sorry, Genoa, the last paragraph was meant for TaraP
But how do people get saved during the following period?
I have heard it argued different ways by clergy I respect, but I tend to lean to the belief that there will be some who come to know Christ during those seven years and will gain understanding of what is happening, but that conversion Will result in persecution and even death.
TaraP - By the way, so far you are lucky. Usually when a thread starts on the end-times or the Rapture - out come the doubters who are too eager to share their higher knowledge on us, or those who are so dead sure their scenario for the end-times is the only scenario they’ll you call you a heretic if you differ with them. It gets ugly.
Matthew 23, 24, 25, etc...5, 6, 7, etc...James...Hebrews...
By works and faith...Without grace...Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit...
After the church is Raptured, there will be those “left behind” who WILL REMEMBER what they have HEARD about God, Jesus, and Christianity. They will probably even try to find Bibles to read, since they will SEE that those who are GONE were ALL “Christian believers”. These latter new Christians WILL BE MARTYRED for their new faith “by be-headings”, according to the Book of Revelation. But they WILL be assured a place in heaven (or the New Jerusalem).