why are people saying the rapture is tomorrow

People are saying the rapture is tomorrow, September 23 or 24, 2025, mainly because of a viral prophecy by South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela. He claimed to have received a vision from Jesus that the rapture—the event where true believers are said to ascend to heaven—will happen on those dates, which coincide with the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets. This prediction has rapidly spread on TikTok and other social media, with some evangelical Christians reportedly quitting jobs, selling possessions, and preparing for the rapture event. The belief stems from a traditional evangelical interpretation of biblical scriptures about the end times, especially Thessalonians and Corinthians. However, many Christian leaders and scholars reject the prediction, stressing that the exact timing of such events cannot be known according to the Bible (Matthew 24:36). This viral interest also grew alongside recent events, including the assassination and funeral of evangelical figure Charlie Kirk, which some see as linked to the apocalyptic mindset fueling this prediction.