The Dr. Josh Axe Show Episode: The End Times Timeline Your Church Isn't Talking About | John Bevere Date: March 12, 2026 Guest: John Bevere

Episode Overview

In this rich, thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Josh Axe sits down with renowned author and speaker John Bevere to discuss one of Christianity's most debated and often overlooked topics—the return of Christ and the "end times" timeline. Drawing from his decades of ministry and the insights in his new book The King Is Coming, John Bevere uncovers why modern churches may sideline end-times teaching, what it truly means to prepare spiritually, and how an eternal perspective transforms everyday living. The episode touches on the intersection of faith, mindset, physical health, holiness, and societal distractions, offering concrete steps for living with urgency, awe, and authenticity before Christ's return.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Urgency and Relevance of End Times Teaching

• Eternal vs. Temporal Perspective (06:11–08:59)

  • Bevere recounts his interaction with Brazilian church leaders whose 300,000-member church grew rapidly by teaching on eternal rewards and the coming judgment, fostering an "eternal perspective" over the American church’s usual 70-80 year perspective.
  • He stresses that teachings like the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment are foundational Christian doctrines (Hebrews 6:1-2).
  • Quote: “We have so many Americans that don't have a clue that there is a judgment seat for the believers… They have an 80-year perspective; we have an eternal perspective.”
    — John Bevere (06:10–07:43)

• Preparation for Christ’s Return (01:53, 76:08)

  • The bride (the church) makes herself ready, not by God doing it for her, but through authentic holiness and urgency in life.
  • Quote: "Walk in true, authentic, genuine holiness. It's the only description of the bride he's coming back for…The bride has made herself ready, does not say God made her ready."
    — John Bevere (01:53, 76:08)

2. The Healthy Fear of God vs. the Love of God

• Defining the Fear of the Lord (27:35–31:20)

  • The “fear of the Lord” is not cowering terror but being terrified of being away from God, and is essential for avoiding lawlessness in the church.

  • It’s repeatedly commended in scripture as the beginning (and fountain) of wisdom and the secret to intimacy with God.

  • Quote: “The love of God keeps us from becoming legalistic and mean spirited. The fear of God keeps us from becoming lawless…By the fear of the Lord one departs from evil. It does not say by the love of God.”
    — John Bevere (29:07–30:07)

  • Sharing stories, Bevere illustrates how both fear and love are vital, using personal stories (e.g., Alice Cooper’s salvation motivated by fear of God (44:00)) and referencing early revivalist sermons.

• Fear and Health (34:06, 36:32)

  • Dr. Axe explains that chronic, unhealthy fear elevates cortisol and damages the body, while a healthy sense of awe and respect (biblically, “fear”) produces reverence and wholeness.

  • Quote: “A very, you know, a very, very similar thing there. Now, one thing I know from…busting out my concordance…the word fear, especially in Hebrew, it has such a deep, rich meaning. So there is a level of actual fear, like from a grizzly bear. But it also means other things, right? Like reverence and respect and some of those other things, too, right?”
    — Dr. Josh Axe (36:24–36:32)

3. Holistic Stewardship: Body, Mindset, Spirit

• The Body as God’s Temple (03:41–04:29)

  • Bevere shares his journey in health, inspired by a conviction that the body is God’s temple and should be stewarded rigorously, drawing parallels to preparing a valuable car for peak performance.
  • Dr. Axe notes that this spiritual perspective deeply informs his holistic health philosophy.

• Mindset, Spiritual Health, and Longevity (15:26–18:18)

  • Dr. Axe asserts that mindset and spiritual health are the primary determinants of physical health, above even nutrition, emphasizing how unresolved shame or trauma can manifest as physical illness.
  • Quote: "The single greatest thing I can do is take care of my spiritual health."
    — Dr. Josh Axe (18:18)

4. Spiritual Practices: Prayer and Hearing From God

• Power and Process of Prayer (22:06–23:45)

  • Both discuss the nature of persistent prayer, trust, and “praying through” until receiving peace, sharing personal family stories.
  • Quote: “You pray until the peace comes…Once you have the peace, it’s done.”
    — John Bevere (22:25)

• Hearing God’s Voice (24:48–26:51)

  • They explore hearing God's guidance through peace and circumstances, more often as an inward leading than an audible voice.

5. The End Times: Preparation vs. Speculation

• Eschatology’s Role (61:02–66:53)
  • Bevere cautions against reducing end-times study to timelines or controversial debates, instead urging personal preparation and discernment.
  • Uses the “puzzle piece” analogy to illustrate the richness and importance of diligently studying prophecy and not being discouraged by ambiguity.
  • Quote: “People are doing it more out of feelings…instead of diligently inquiring…God intended us to search diligently and inquire about his coming. It keeps us hungry.”
    — John Bevere (65:54)

6. Societal Distractions, Division, and the Eternal Focus

• Social Media and Discipleship (67:35–71:08)

  • Both lament how many Christians are discipled more by social media and cultural debates than scripture, leading to divisiveness and distraction from what truly matters (the gospel and caring for the suffering).
  • Quote: “They're being discipled by culture, not by scripture…That’s how divisive social media…is a lot more effective in getting people divided than [mainstream] media.”
    — John Bevere (70:30–71:08)

• Practical Examples: The Church of Sardis (72:56–75:36)

  • Bevere parallels American Christianity with Sardis: having a reputation for being alive yet spiritually dead, urging listeners to avoid staining their garments (lives) with worldliness.

7. Living in Light of Eternity

• Success, Urgency, and Holy Living (47:59–54:00)
  • Discuss the principle of living every day with urgency, likening it to someone who has cancer and radically changes their health habits.
  • Quote: “You run the fastest when the finish line is in sight … [Teaching on Christ’s return] creates a sense of urgency.”
    — John Bevere (47:59–48:17)
  • Holiness, prayer, and setting affection on things above are key to preparing for Christ’s return.

Notable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)

• Brazilian Pastor on Eternal Perspective:
  “You American Christians … have a 70 or 80 year timeframe. We have an eternal perspective.”
  — [07:15], John Bevere

• Judgment for Believers:
  “We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ … to receive the works done in the Body, whether good or worthless.”
  — [09:04], John Bevere

• Health and Spirituality:
  “The single greatest thing I can do is take care of my spiritual health.”
  — [18:18], Dr. Josh Axe

• Fear of God Defined:
  “The fear of the Lord is not to be scared of God. It’s actually being terrified of being away from God.”
  — [28:59], John Bevere

• Why Some Christians Don’t Last:
  “Why is it that 50% of the pastors in America right now only last five years? … Because we have not taught healthy fear of God.”
  — [45:56], John Bevere

• Bride Making Herself Ready:
  "The bride has made herself ready.”
  — [01:53, 52:99], John Bevere

• Social Media Discipleship:
  “They’re being discipled by culture, not by scripture.”
  — [70:29], John Bevere

• Urgency and Preparedness:
  “The people that do the most in this life are the ones that think the most about the next.”
  — [77:44], Dr. Josh Axe (quoting C.S. Lewis)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction/Main Theme Preview: 02:24–03:41
• Eternal Perspective from Brazilian Church: 05:50–08:58
• Judgment for Believers Explained: 08:59–10:57
• Health as Stewardship: 03:41–04:29, 14:38–15:26
• Power of Mindset and Spiritual Health: 15:26–18:18
• Prayer and Hearing God: 22:06–26:51
• Healthy Fear vs. Love of God: 27:35–31:20
• Eschatology: Preparation over Speculation: 61:02–66:53
• Societal Distractions and Social Media: 67:35–71:08
• Living with Urgency and Holiness: 47:59–54:00, 76:24–77:44

Actionable Steps/Advice

• Develop an eternal perspective instead of a merely temporal one.
• Prepare for Christ’s return through authentic holiness, spiritual disciplines (prayer, studying scripture), and by focusing on eternal things.
• Embrace both the love and healthy fear of God: love prevents legalism, fear prevents lawlessness.
• Avoid being discipled by culture or caught in divisiveness—anchor your life in scripture and invest in what matters eternally.
• Make your spiritual health your top priority, as it impacts every other aspect of life and service.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a clarion call to reclaim foundational teachings on the end times, cultivate vital spiritual practices, and adopt a mindset focused on the eternal significance of everyday choices. Bevere and Axe challenge listeners to walk in reverent awe, prepare for the return of Christ—not with passivity or fear, but with expectancy, urgency, and joy.

“Set your affections on things above, not the things of this earth. When our eyes get set on the things of heaven … we start living a more godly life.”
— John Bevere (76:24)