Katechon

The katechon (from Greek: τὸ κατέχον, "that which withholds", or ὁ κατέχων, "the one who withholds"), also known as the restrainer, is a biblical term referring to something that must be removed before the arrival of the "man of sin." Mentioned in the New Testament, the katechon's uncertain identity has been debated amongst Christian scholars. Common interpretations for the identity include the government, the church, and the Holy Spirit.