A South African pastor’s prediction that the Rapture will take place on Tuesday, September 23 or Wednesday, September 24, 2025, has sparked a wave of fear – and ridicule – on TikTok.
The prophecy comes from Joshua Mhlakela, a preacher who shared what he refers to as a “divine prophecy” via YouTube and an interview with Centtwinz TV.
Mhlakela claims that 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,” he continued, reports the Mirror.
The prophecy has since gone viral, leading to a surge in posts under the hashtag #RaptureTok.
In Mhlakela’s vision, he alleges Jesus told him: “I will come to take my church,” referring to the Christian belief in the Rapture, an event where believers are taken up to be with Christ at His Second Coming.
The Rapture is a key part of Christian doctrine, where all faithful believers will ascend to heaven to avoid the Tribulation. This period of severe hardship is expected to last for seven years, according to Biblical teachings.
During the Tribulation, it is believed that the world will plunge into chaos and disorder before Jesus returns to establish a peaceful kingdom for Christians. This belief that the Tribulation will commence after the Feast of Trumpets has led to a surge in calls for believers to sell all their personal possessions.
Although the term “Rapture” does not appear in the Bible, many Christians refer to scriptures such as 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 to support the concept.
Interpretations vary. Some believe in a “pre-tribulation” Rapture, occurring before a time of great suffering, while others hold a “post-tribulation” view, expecting it afterwards.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association describes the Rapture in two phases: firstly, believers are caught up to meet Christ in the clouds, followed by His 1,000-year reign on Earth.
The specific dates given by Mhlakela – September 23 or 24 – align with Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Feast of Trumpets, a holiday many Christians believe symbolises end-times prophecy.
Online reactions have been a blend of anxiety and satire. Some individuals have expressed genuine worry, while others have openly ridiculed the prediction.
Among the videos was one asking: “Will our pets be raptured?” ‘Sarah’, a devout Christian influencer, helpfully provides some analysis of a passage from the Bible.
“While there’s nothing in the Bible that explicitly says what happens to your pets in the rapture – I believe they come with us,” she solemnly affirmed in the video.
“I have prayed for my fur babies to be raptured with me,” one individual commented. “I ask God all the time to please take my dogs when we’re raptured,” another added.
It has been reported that some people are even leaving their jobs in anticipation of being lifted into the sky by the Son of God, along with their Christian neighbours.
Meanwhile, popular TikToker Sonja (@sonj779) has gained attention for her humorous “Rapture Trip Tips” series, which have garnered tens of thousands of views.
In one amusing clip, she advises viewers to purchase new underwear before the Rapture, stating, “Your last impression shouldn’t be your old underwear.”
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.”
