Daily Bible Plan - 2 Thessalonians 2

22. July 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Living your Faith in the Public Sphere

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

Devotional Title: Do Not Be Shaken: A Warning, A Hope, A Call

Based on 2 Thessalonians 2:1–17

Introduction:

2 Thessalonians 2 brings us into deeper prophetic territory. Paul, who had already written to this church about the return of Jesus, now corrects a dangerous error—some believers thought the Day of the Lord had already come. This false teaching was causing fear, confusion, and instability.

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled… as though the day of Christ had come.”

(vv. 1–2)

Paul writes with urgency to settle their hearts, expose deception, and lay out the true order of end-time events.

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⚠️ Take This from Me as Your Pastor

Take this from me as your pastor and as a fellow brother in the faith: The rapture will not be preceded by a revival, but by a great falling away.

Yes, there will be outpourings and salvations in various places. But globally, what precedes the return of Christ is apostasy, not awakening.

Paul writes:

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed…”

(v. 3)

This “falling away” refers to many turning from the faith—not just the world rejecting God, but those who once believed growing cold.

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:12:

“Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”

And that is why, for those in darkness, the return of Christ will come as a surprise.

But Paul reminds us:

“You are not in darkness… you are sons of the light and of the day, so that this day should not overtake you like a thief.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:4–5)

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👤 The Rise of the Antichrist

Before Christ returns, a man of lawlessness will be revealed—the Antichrist.

“…the man of sin… the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God… so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

(vv. 3–4)

This isn’t just symbolic. This figure will:

• Claim divine authority

• Perform lying wonders

• Lead global deception

Today, the spirit of the Antichrist is already at work:

• Sexual immorality normalized and legislated

• Abortion defended as a human right

• LGBTQ+ movements celebrated in churches

• Preachers embracing sin from the pulpit

This is no longer hidden. As Paul writes:

“The mystery of lawlessness is already at work…”

(v. 7)

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⛓️ What’s Restraining Him?

Paul tells us something (or someone) is restraining the full manifestation of the Antichrist:

“He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.”

(v. 7)

Many scholars believe this refers to the Holy Spirit operating through the Church. Until the time is fully ripe, God will not permit the Antichrist to rise in full power. But when the Church is removed, the restraint is lifted.

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💥 Christ Will Destroy Him

We must never forget the outcome:

“Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”

(v. 8)

Christ is not competing with the Antichrist. He will defeat him with ease, just as prophesied in Revelation 19:19–20. Our victory is sure.

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💔 Why So Many Will Be Deceived

“Because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion…”

(vv. 10–11)

People will fall for false signs, false gospels, false revivals—not because truth was unavailable, but because they rejected it.

Today, deception is growing because:

• People are more entertained than discipled

• The Word is being watered down

• Churches are focusing on crowds instead of conversion

If we don’t love the truth, we will be handed over to lies.

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✨ But You Were Chosen

Now Paul gives us great encouragement:

“But we are bound to give thanks… because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth…”

(v. 13)

You were not chosen by accident.

You were called, sanctified, and sealed.

You have the truth—and the Spirit of truth inside you.

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🛡️ How Then Shall We Live?

Paul’s final charge is simple and strong:

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”

(v. 15)

✅ Stand fast in your secret place

✅ Stand fast in prayer and fasting

✅ Stand fast in holiness and obedience

✅ Stand fast in evangelism and sound doctrine

This is how we will remain unshaken and prepared.

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🙏 A Prayer and Blessing

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father… comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.”

(vv. 16–17)

May this devotion anchor your heart, comfort your soul, and call you deeper into faithful, steadfast living in these last days.

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❤️ A Word to Our Church Family

To everyone at Fortified City Church, Love City Church Basel, our French services, PNWCBEN, and to those praying for our upcoming work in Luzern City Fellowship (LCF):

We are not just starting churches. We are raising altars of truth—places where people can encounter Christ, grow in faith, and prepare for His return.

🙏 Pray for me, your pastor. Pray for this vision.

📲 And please, share this devotion with at least 20 people today—your schoolmates, coworkers, family, and friends. You never know who may be snatched from deception by truth.

With love and urgency,

Pastor Joseph Antwi

Fortified City Church | Love City Church Basel | Global Prayer Hub