Christians’ Rapture started making headlines after a bold prophecy by a South African preacher went viral. Pastor Joshua Mhlakela is at the centre of this chaotic prophecy, which continues to discuss posts, satire, and spiralling speculation about the rapture. The preacher has stated that the world will end on either September 23, 2025, or September 24, 2025. However, time continues to pass without incident. So, why does the #RaptureTok still believe that the end has begun?
Christians’ Rapture prediction fails
The buzz around Christians’ Rapture began with Pastor Joshua Mhlakela, a South African preacher who claims to have received a divine vision foretelling Jesus’ imminent return. In an interview with CettwinzTV, Joshua recounted what he described as a supernatural encounter. He revealed that the rapture will occur on September 23, 2025 or September 24, 2025, coinciding with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. According to Joshua:
“The rapture is upon us, whether you are ready or not.”
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The news soon sparked a massive online trend with #RaptureTok going viral on social media. However, as September 23, 2025, passed without any incident, the internet descended into chaos, with half the userbase pointing out that nothing had happened, while the other half claimed that the Rapture had begun, it was just ‘slow’.
People still believe that the Rapture has begun
The internet was divided about the rapture since it started making headlines online. While believers sold their belongings, quit their jobs, and left stocked food with instructions for those who were left behind, non-believers used the trend to promote their content on social media. However, once the day had passed, they started questioning the believers. Nonetheless, the followers are still adamant that it has begun. A user penned, “Rapture has begun.”
A comment stated, “You’ll know the rapture has started when the dead begin to rise. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: This passage describes the event where the dead in Christ rise, and then living believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air.” On the other hand, the other section of netizens started taking a jab at the prediction. A user penned, “Maybe the rapture has indeed started. Just look at the tl.” A comment read, “Has the Rapture started yet? I was at work. Did I miss it? Surely they would break into TV programming to cover it. I mean, it’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
What is the Rapture, and why are people selling their belongings over it?
For the unversed, the rapture is an event some Christians believe will sweep true believers into heaven. It is also linked to the second coming of Jesus Christ. The idea of the Rapture is rooted in the evangelical Christian theology, though the word itself doesn’t appear in the Bible. The belief largely stems from Verse 1 in Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15, where the Apostle Paul describes a sudden transformation and ascension of believers. Joshua Mhlakela’s prediction gained traction as it coincided with Rosh Hashanah, a significant Jewish holiday. For the uninitiated, it is also known as the Feast of Trumpets, a holiday that some Christians associate with the trumpet imagery in biblical prophecy.
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