why did people think the rapture was happening

People thought the rapture was happening because South African evangelical pastor Joshua Mhlakela claimed in a viral YouTube video that Jesus had appeared to him in a vision saying the rapture would begin on September 23 or 24, 2025, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah (the Feast of Trumpets). This date has symbolic biblical connections, as scriptures mention a "trumpet call of God" signaling the rapture event when believers would be taken up to meet Christ in the air. His prophecy gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok, creating a viral phenomenon dubbed "RaptureTok," with many believers preparing for the event and skeptics mocking it. Mhlakela’s prediction tapped into evangelical Christian teachings about the end times and the seven years of tribulation, a period Christians believe will follow the rapture. His claim also gained heightened attention following the assassination of prominent evangelical Charlie Kirk, further fueling discussions. Many people were influenced by the combination of biblical interpretation, the timing with Rosh Hashanah, and the viral social media spread, despite theological experts and other pastors warning against setting specific dates for the rapture. Past failed predictions of the rapture have been common, but the excitement and anxiety around the date resurfaced due to Mhlakela's vivid claim and social media amplification.