Podcast Summary: Prophecy Watchers - "The Church is Falling Away"

Guests: Host Joe Hawkins interviews J.B. Hixson (Not By Works Ministries)
Date: March 4, 2026
Main Theme: Exploring the reality, causes, and implications of apostasy ("falling away") in the modern church, especially in the context of biblical prophecy.

Overview

This episode dives deep into the topic of "the great last days apostasy"—the phenomenon of many within the church drifting away from foundational doctrines and biblically grounded faith. J.B. Hixson, author of The Great Last Days Apostasy, joins Joe Hawkins to discuss the roots, symptoms, and prophetic significance of apostasy as seen both biblically and in current events. They scrutinize the social, moral, and theological shifts impacting the church today, stressing the urgent need for discernment and faithful adherence to scripture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Apostasy and Its Relevance Today

• Apostasy is commonly misunderstood:

  • Many equate apostasy solely with unbelief and damnation but, as Hixson clarifies, it can also refer to genuine believers drifting away from fellowship with God (04:00–07:00).
  • Quote: “Apostasy means falling away. And so regardless of whether … we're dealing with believers who are not right with the Lord … or unbelievers who've never been saved, the fact is, the church as a whole … is absolutely falling away” – J.B. Hixson [06:15]

• The significance for the end times:

  • Hixson emphasizes that apostasy is a "forgotten sign" of the end times often ignored by prophecy watchers themselves (06:40).
  • The rate and depth of apostasy have accelerated dramatically over recent decades (06:40–07:15).

2. Seven Ways the Church is Falling Away

• Hixson's book details seven key areas:
  1. Biblically
  2. Eschatologically
  3. Morally
  4. Socially
  5. Evangelistically
  6. Academically
  7. Politically
     (07:05 & 21:35)

3. Biblical Apostasy: Loss of Scriptural Authority

• Erosion of the Bible’s authority is foundational:
  • The rise of higher criticism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries paved the way for dismissing miracles and key doctrines (07:30–09:40).
  • Quote: “All of the other problems in the church stem from a departure from the Bible as the only standard for our beliefs, attitudes, and practices.” – J.B. Hixson [09:30]
• Postmodern challenges—denial of absolute truth, rise of relativism.

4. Eschatological Apostasy: Confusion About the End Times

• Misinterpretation or disregard of end times prophecy:
  • The hosts stress the importance of interpreting Scripture literally, grammatically, and historically (10:00–12:00).
  • Widespread confusion and indifference toward eschatology (prophecy) within the church.
  • Quote: “Satan's the author of confusion... As long as you have millions of followers... all of a sudden you're now an expert. I call those tin pot theologians. They really don't have two theological nickels to rub together...” – J.B. Hixson [13:44]
• Popular theologians and influencers often spread unbiblical views, muddying the waters for sincere seekers (12:00–13:50).

5. The Erosion of the Pastoral Calling and Moral Apostasy

• Many church leaders now view ministry as a job rather than a calling (15:44–17:07).
  • Quote: “A lot of people... they view [ministry] like a job. They don't view it like a calling.” – Joe Hawkins [15:44]
• Contributing to moral decline:
  • Entertainment-focused services, pastors seeking fame, and open endorsement (or at least toleration) of sinful behaviors.
  • Examples: drag queen story hours, irreverent church events, and even prominent pastors diluting or denying scriptural commands.
  • Quote: “You see how the morality of the church has just taken a nose dive... and that plays a major part in the falling away of the church.” – Joe Hawkins [18:15]

6. Moral Depravity: Old Problem, New Depths

• The inherent sinfulness of man has always existed, but cultural decline is reaching unprecedented levels (19:09–21:30).
  • Quote: “The depravity of man is at an all time low. It doesn't get better with time. It's a degenerative disease.” – J.B. Hixson [20:09]
• Disregard for biblical morality opens doors for acceptance of unbiblical behaviors within the church.

7. Encouragement and Influence in the Modern Age

• Hawkins credits Hixson as a major influence, shaping his own podcasting and ministry approach (22:28–23:00).
• Hixson reflects on the responsibility and humility required in influencing others for Christ, especially given today’s far-reaching platforms (23:00–24:00).
  • Quote: “Every word we speak has the ability to just touch thousands that we may never know about... it's very humbling.” – J.B. Hixson [23:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Rise of Apostasy
  “Wow, this is a major sign of the times that we're getting close to the end, right under our own roofs.” – J.B. Hixson [06:30]

• On the Authority of Scripture
  “If you remove the foundation, everything's going to fall apart. No question about it.” – J.B. Hixson [07:33]

• On Modern Ministry’s Pitfalls
  “There are people that view going into ministry as a job... and then we get situations in the church like drag queen story time... or, you know, around Super Bowl time, kicking the Bible, you know, for a field goal...” – Joe Hawkins [17:17]

• On Moral Apostasy
  “Believers who are catering to the flesh are capable of doing anything that an unbeliever can do.” – J.B. Hixson [20:09]

• On Influence and Responsibility
  “James cautions: ‘Be not many teachers, because we are held to a stricter account.’” – J.B. Hixson [24:00]

Important Timestamps

• [02:32] – Introduction to the topic: Great Last Days Apostasy
• [06:00] – Apostasy as a "forgotten sign" of the end times
• [07:05] – Overview of the sevenfold ways the church is falling away
• [09:40] – Historical attack on biblical authority
• [11:59] – Problems with modern eschatological interpretation
• [13:44] – The confusion caused by "tin pot theologians"
• [15:44] – The decline of pastoral calling and professionalism in ministry
• [19:09] – The pervasiveness of moral depravity
• [21:35] – Detailed list of the sevenfold apostasy from Hixson’s book
• [23:00] – The humbling nature of spiritual influence in the digital age
• [25:17] – Closing gospel encouragement and exhortation to believers

Resources & Further Info

• The Great Last Days Apostasy by J.B. Hixson is available at notbyworks.org and also on Amazon (print, Kindle, audiobook).
• Listeners are encouraged to "stay awake and keep watch," staying faithful to the gospel and vigilant regarding end times deception.

Tone/Style:
Candid, passionate, earnest, and biblically anchored; appeals to both head and heart with pastoral urgency.

Summary for the Listener:
This episode warns of the widespread and multi-faceted falling away occurring within the contemporary church, as prophesied in scripture. Joe Hawkins and J.B. Hixson issue a clarion call to return to biblical authority, proper eschatological understanding, and moral integrity in the face of mounting cultural and doctrinal compromise. The discussion serves as a sober reminder of the spiritual battle at hand and the vital need for discernment and faithfulness in these last days.