A South African clergyman’s proclamation that the Rapture is imminent on either Tuesday, September 23, or Wednesday, September 24, 2025, has sparked a blend of anxiety and ridicule on the social media platform TikTok.
This declaration originates from Joshua Mhlakela, a preacher who shared what he describes as a “divine prophecy” via YouTube and in an interview with Centtwinz TV. Mhlakela claims that Jesus appeared to him in a vision and disclosed the precise date of His return, which he asserts will coincide with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
“The impending Rapture is unavoidable, whether you are prepared or not,” he declared. “I witnessed Jesus seated on His throne, clearly conveying to me, ‘I am coming soon.'”
“He informed me that on the 23rd and 24th of September 2025, I will return to Earth,” he added.
This prophecy has swiftly spread online, fueling a surge in content under the hashtag #RaptureTok. In Mhlakela’s vision, he asserts that Jesus told him, “I will come to gather my church,” referencing the Christian belief in the Rapture, where believers are taken up to be with Christ at His Second Coming.
The Rapture is a fundamental aspect of Christian doctrine, where all faithful followers will ascend to heaven to evade a period of severe tribulation. This time of extreme hardship is anticipated to last for seven years, as outlined in Biblical teachings.
Throughout the Tribulation, it is believed that the world will plunge into chaos and turmoil until Jesus returns to establish a peaceful realm for Christians. This anticipation that the Tribulation will commence following the Feast of the Trumpets has prompted a surge in calls for believers to divest themselves of all personal possessions.
Although the term “Rapture” is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, many Christians refer to passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 to validate the concept.
Interpretations vary, with some subscribing to a “pre-tribulation” Rapture occurring before a period of great suffering, while others adhere to a “post-tribulation” perspective expecting it to follow.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association delineates the Rapture in two stages: initially, believers are caught up to meet Christ in the clouds, followed by His 1,000-year reign on Earth.
The specific dates specified by Mhlakela – September 23 or 24 – coincide with Rosh Hashanah, also recognized as the Feast of Trumpets, a festival many Christians deem symbolic of end-times prophecy.
Online reactions have been a mix of apprehension and satire. While some individuals have expressed genuine worry, others have openly ridiculed the prediction.
One video inquires, “Will our pets be raptured?” A devout Christian influencer named ‘Sarah’ analyzes a passage from the Bible, suggesting, “While the Bible does not explicitly mention what happens to your pets in the Rapture, I believe they will accompany us.”
“I have prayed for my fur babies to be raptured with me,” a viewer commented.
“People are reportedly resigning from their jobs in readiness for themselves and their Christian neighbors being lifted into the sky by the Son of God.”
Meanwhile, a prominent TikTok personality, Sonja (@sonj779), has garnered attention for her lighthearted “Rapture Trip Tips” series, attracting tens of thousands of views.
In one segment, she advises viewers to purchase new underwear before the Rapture, emphasizing, “Your final impression should not be in your old underwear.”
In the United States, where many of these videos originate, beliefs in end-times are not uncommon. According to research from the Pew Research Center in 2022, nearly half of all Christians in the US, about 47 percent, affirm that “we are living in the end times.”