People believe the Rapture is tomorrow primarily due to a prophecy made by South African Pastor Joshua Mhlakela, who claimed in a YouTube video that God revealed to him that the Rapture would occur on September 23 or 24, 2025. This date coincides with the Jewish Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), which some interpret as a biblical sign of the end times. The Rapture is the Christian belief that Jesus Christ will return and take true believers to heaven, leaving non-believers behind to face a period of suffering. This prophecy has been amplified heavily on social media platforms like TikTok, where many believers share their preparations and expectations, fueling widespread discussion and anticipation. The reasons for this belief include:
- The pastor's claimed vision and direct communication from Jesus.
- Alignment with biblical texts describing the Rapture (Thessalonians 4:13-17).
- Coincidence with significant religious dates like the Feast of Trumpets.
- The viral spread of "RaptureTok" content on TikTok and other social media.
- Emotional and spiritual readiness among some evangelical Christians.
Despite these claims, the Rapture has never been definitively dated in Christian scripture, and historically, all predictions of this kind have been incorrect. This current belief wave is also linked by some observers to wider social and political anxieties, including recent events affecting evangelical communities. In summary, the belief that the Rapture is tomorrow is driven by a specific prophetic announcement combined with viral social media amplification and its resonance with certain Christian biblical interpretations and current events.
