why did people think today was the rapture

People thought September 25, 2025, was the date of the Rapture mainly due to a prediction by a South African pastor named Joshua Mhlakela. He claimed Jesus appeared to him in visions and dreams, stating the Rapture would begin on or around September 23 or 24, dates aligned with the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets). This event is believed by some evangelical Christians to be when true believers are taken up to Heaven, initiating the end times. The prediction gained traction particularly on social media platforms like TikTok, where thousands of videos appeared supporting or mocking the idea. The timing also drew connections with biblical trumpet references in Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians, which describe believers being caught up at the last trumpet call. The notion spread widely, partly boosted by cultural events causing focus on apocalypse themes. However, this was not the first failed Rapture prediction historically, and scholars note the Bible does not specify exact dates, warning against setting such times.