A Christian woman who is convinced the rapture will begin today (Wednesday, September 24) has taken to social media to document the extreme lengths she has undertaken ahead of the return of Jesus Christ.
It comes after a South African pastor predicted the end of the world is upon us on September 23 or 24. The prophecy comes from Joshua Mhlakela, a preacher who shared what he refers to as a “divine prophecy” via YouTube and a television interview.
Mhlakela claims Jesus appeared to him in a vision and disclosed the precise date of his return – an event that Mhlakela believes will coincide with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. “The rapture is upon us, whether you are ready or not,” he declared. “I saw Jesus sitting on his throne, and I could hear him very loud and clear saying, I am coming soon. He said to me on the 23rd and 24th of September 2025, I will come back to the Earth.”
The prophecy quickly captured the imagintion – and fears – of scores of Christians on TikTok, many of whom are deep in preparation for the Second Coming. One of those is Amercian, Melissa Johnston, who has shared a series of videos to show what she has been doing to get ready.
“I’m doing something to prep my home for whoever is here after the rapture,” she began in a video. Indeed, Melissa has devised a number of flow charts “based on the Seven Seals and Seven Trumpets” – a series of apocalyptic symbols and sounds of angels outlined in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament.
In a second video, Melissa revealed what she has bought in preparation, beginning with a “WaterBob”, a water containment system that holds up to 100 gallons of fresh drinking water in a standard bathtub in the event of an emergency.
Melissa said she has also stocked up on the necessary medicine needed in the aftermath, which she has concealed in containers a cupboard. “We also have a nebuliser and a door going to our basement where we have stockpiled our food,” she continued.
Revealing shelves and boxes full of long-lasting goods for future dwellers, Melissa enthused: “Someone’s going to be pretty set.” Meanwhile, in a third clip, she explained the extent she has gone to stock up on bibles “for the people that are left behind”.
“I got these at the Dollar Tree,” Melissa said, showcasing the bibles – all of which she had attached a sticker to proclaiming: ‘Jesus loves you. It’s not too late, take this bible, find other believers. Be careful who you trust. Do not take the mark in hand or forehead.’ In addition, in each book Melissa shared that she had taken the time to bookmark several “important scriptures” including Romans 10:9 and John 3:16.
Hopefully these books end up in the hands of people who need them,” she concluded.
One sceptic asked Melissa in response: “When nothing happens how will you rationalise it away?” To which she answered: ” I’ll just accept it. More on with my day and keep spreading the gospels in non judgmental way with love and compassion like I always have.”
Whilst a second person pondered: “What are you going to do with all of those extra books when you wake up after the rapture in your own bed?” Melisssa admitted: “That’s such a heavy thought. And I have considered that a lot actually. If all the Christians are rapture and I am left behind then I know I have to prepare the ones left for what is to come.”
In the United States, where many of these videos originate, beliefs about the end times are not uncommon.
According to a 2022 study by the Pew Research Center, nearly half of all Christians in the US, approximately 47 percent, responded affirmatively when asked if they believe “we are living in the end times.”
