The belief that the Rapture is happening today, September 23, 2025, stems largely from a prediction made by South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela. He claims to have had a divine vision in which Jesus told him the Rapture would occur on either September 23 or 24, coinciding with the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah (also known as the Feast of Trumpets). This date has biblical connections, as some interpret passages in the Bible about the "trumpet call of God" and others related to the end times as signs pointing to this specific timeframe. This prediction went viral, especially on TikTok, where thousands of videos discuss and prepare for the event. Some people take it seriously and prepare spiritually and physically, while others are skeptical or humorous about it. The idea of the Rapture involves Jesus returning to take true believers to Heaven before a period of tribulation on Earth, based on evangelical interpretations of New Testament scriptures like 1 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians. The interpretation and fascination with the date are also linked to symbolism involving celestial events and biblical signs, but the prediction lacks solid biblical timeline evidence, and historically, such specific date predictions for the Rapture have never materialized. The viral spread of this prediction was driven by social media buzz and the compelling narrative of a sudden, transformative event linked to a significant Jewish festival and biblical prophecy.
