That is in fact an excellent notion. It can be valued as a teacher for our epoch. As used in 2Thess2:3 the meaning could be as you infer. However, we have the passages following that verse which point to the restrainer being removed. The Restrainer is the Holy Spirit Who indwells the Bride of Christ, The Church.
When it comes to restraint, I don’t necessarily associate the Holy Spirit restraining believers because in the tribulation many many people are brought to faith. Rather I believe the Holy Spirit stops restraining non-believers. Imagine everyone who is luke warm or hot, not having any guilt or standard of right or wrong, no twinge of consequence, no empathy, no little voice whispering in the right ear. That is what I envision.
God will never forsake me, even if I am to die, and how can I show who He is if the Holy Spirit is not indwelling to bear the fruit of His gifts? I believe in all the gifts, and seriously doubt He leaves the world in our darkest hour. To judge the world there has to be evidence of His power, and that will come from those using their gifts. IMHO.
Not backed by scripture, yet, but just seems to fit, if you know what I mean. Well, there is scripture. Jesus said that when we are arrested to not worry about what to say because the Holy Spirit will give us the words...Matt 10:19, Mark 13:11 and Luke 12:11 & 12. I think the tribulation will not only be terrifying in evil, but terrifying for non-believers who witness believers glorifying the One True God.