A pastor’s prediction the Rapture will occur today, Sept. 23 or Wednesday, Sept. 24 has sparked a flurry of TikTok fear, with people believing the end of the world is upon us.
A viral video circulating on social media claims the Rapture, a Christian belief relating to the end of times, will take place this week. Joshua Mhlakela, a South African preacher, shared his “divine prophecy” on YouTube, stating that Jesus appeared to him in a vision and revealed the exact date of his return, which coincides with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Here’s what we know.
When is the Rapture happening?
South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela predicted the Rapture, or Second Coming of Jesus, will take place today, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 or Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Mhlakela’s claims, which have gone #RaptureTok viral on TikTok and social media, state that the revelations came to him in a dream, with Jesus telling him he will “come to take my church.”
Who said it’s the End of the World tomorrow?
South African preacher Joshua Mhlakela has prophesized the end of times in an interview with Centtwinz TV, seen in the video below.
Is the Rapture real?
There are several foundational teachings of the Rapture among various Christian denominations. While the “Rapture” is not mentioned explicitly in the Bible, it describes a significant event associated with the Second Coming of Jesus, when believers are taken up to be with Christ.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association says the “Rapture” will come in two phases: the ascension to meet Christ in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17), then the reign of Jesus on Earth for 1,000 years. Biblical passages like 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 describe a transformation happening “in the twinkle of an eye.” There has been debate within Christians communities that the Rapture and Second Coming are distinctly different, called pre-tribulationism and post-tribulationism.
Why is the Rapture on September 23?
The dates of Sept. 23, 2025 or Sept. 24, 2025 that Mhlakela has marked the “Rapture” coincide with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish Feast of Trumpets, which many Christians associate with the fulfillment of the biblical prophecy.
Thessalonians Rapture verse
Christian teachings reference Biblical passages in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, where Paul the Apostle speaks of the transformation. Here are some excerpts.
1 Thessalonians
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:17: “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
1 Corinthians
In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (King James Version): “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (New International Version): “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
#RaptureTok
Joshua Mhlakela’s predictions have sparked a flurry of conversation on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, with some users concerned and others opening mocking the prophecy.
A TikToker with over 1 million followers said people are selling their cars and houses, leaving items behind for those who “don’t get Raptured.” Tiktoker Sonja (@sonj779) has shared multiple videos on “Rapture Trip Tips,” which have garnered tens of thousands of views. Her posts have led to confusion over whether it’s satire or truth: Among her tips she urges people buy new underwear before the Rapture, suggesting that the last impression of you” should not be your old underwear.”
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Is the ‘Rapture’ happening tomorrow? Pastor claims rapture, ‘end of world’ Sept 23
Reporting by Lori Comstock, USA TODAY NETWORK / NorthJersey.com
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
