Hostility toward key end‑times truths is rising, even among those who once championed them. Across congregations and online forums, doctrines about biblical prophecy, the rapture and Israel are increasingly met with scoffing and outright rejection.
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“The scoffers and the mockers are increasing from within the church,” Pastor Tom Hughes warns, citing the very words of 2 Peter 3 that such mockery would mark the last days. Both Hughes and guest Lee Brainard have felt the sting personally: “I have never seen my emails filled with the type of hate mail I get now,” Hughes admits, underscoring just how widespread the backlash has become.
In their conversation, Hughes and Brainard trace this surge of apostasy to a departure from Scripture in favor of cultural trends or entrenched tradition. They unpack how replacement theology has quietly “de-Judaized” the Bible, rewriting every promise to Israel as if it now belongs to the church.
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Brainard observes that many critics “have gone on YouTube, they’ve gone down a black hole, they’ve been led astray,” demonstrating how easily well‑meaning believers can abandon plain biblical teaching. Both men stress that reading the whole Bible “cover to cover,” rather than cherry‑picking or overlooking prophetic passages, is the first line of defense against deception.
They also explore the critical distinction between Israel’s prophetic timetable and the church’s calling. Drawing on Daniel’s “70 weeks” and Revelation’s assurances, Brainard lays out why a pre‑tribulation rapture remains the best fit for the text: the church is “kept from” the coming trial on earth, while Israel endures the final week of judgment in order to be turned back to her Messiah.
Hughes and Brainard confront the perennial temptation to set dates, cautioning viewers that every prediction to date has “gone belly up,” and remind us that prophecy unfolds on God’s timetable, not ours.
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Ultimately, this interview equips believers to answer growing skepticism with clear, text‑based teaching rather than sound bites or social pressure. Viewers will learn practical steps for standing firm—whether explaining why Israel must remain distinct, defending the rapture promise or simply choosing God’s approval over man’s applause. “It’s gonna increase [apostasy]. It’s gonna increase,” Brainard insists. Yet the cure lies not in spirited debate alone but in humble engagement with the plain statements of Scripture.
If you’d like to watch the full interview, please see the video above.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
