what is now restraining him: People have many ideas about who this person is, including:
God,
the Holy Spirit,
the church,
the good news about Jesus (the gospel),
Paul,
the emperor,
the Roman Empire, or
the government.
Alternatively, the term may refer to something or someone who comes before the man of lawlessness, an agent of lawlessness active at that time (2:7–8).
In Greek literature, this expression could describe being possessed by a demon (evil angel). This figure would prepare the way for the man of lawlessness when his time comes (2:3, 8).