Are you ready to survive yet another world-ending event?
This time, the end of the world is supposedly set for September 23, 2025.
The claim, fueled by a conspiracy theory spreading across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), has caught the attention of a surprising number of people.
But should we be worried, or is it just another baseless prediction?
The Rapture is Coming - At Least According to Some
The latest prophecy comes from Pastor Joshua Mhlakela, a religious leader based in South Africa.
In an interview on CENTTWINZ TV, Mhlakela declared that "the rapture is upon us, whether you are ready or not ready."
According to him, God revealed to him in a vision that Jesus will return to Earth on September 23 and 24, 2025, to rescue Christians.
Mhlakela’s dramatic claims have captured the imagination of a growing online following.
He recounted hearing God’s voice clearly in his dream, saying: “I am coming soon.”
According to the pastor, this event will be so powerful that "the earth itself will shake."
Adding to the scare factor, Mhlakela described powerful beings chasing down those left behind, with chaos and destruction ensuing.
Why Are People Believing This?
Mhlakela’s words have sparked panic, with many online users reacting by selling their possessions, convinced that they’ll be "taken" in the rapture.
One man, Tilahun Desalegn, posted a TikTok video explaining that he sold his five-year-old car because he believed he wouldn't need it after September 23.
"She’s got to go. I won’t need her beyond September. I’m going home, to where my father in heaven is," he said, referring to his belief that he would ascend to heaven.
For some, the date coincides with the Jewish feast of Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Feast of the Trumpets.
This holiday marks the start of the Jewish year and holds significance for some Christians as a potential sign of the rapture or Christ’s return. This timing has further fueled the fervor around the prediction.
The 'Rapture' is Not a Universal Christian Belief
Interestingly, the concept of the rapture itself is relatively new in Christian doctrine, dating back only to the 1830s.
It is especially popular among certain evangelical groups, but many Christian denominations do not subscribe to the idea.
According to biblical teachings, the exact timing of such an event is unknown, making Mhlakela’s specific claim a curious anomaly.
In fact, one commentator pointed out the inconsistency of time zones in the rapture narrative, adding: “What time zone is it happening in? Because the whole thing about the rapture that I was taught was that no man knows the date or the hour…
"There are 24 time zones on Earth, 38 if you include the ones that have half-hour times. No man knows how you all know.”
Could It Really Happen?
So, is it going to happen?
According to experts and the majority of religious scholars, probably not.
Historically, every prediction of the world’s end has turned out to be false. While no one can predict the future with certainty, it’s safe to say that the world isn’t going to end on September 23, 2025.
After all, waking up on September 24 will likely reveal that life goes on, just as it always has.
But if this is the last article of mine that you read, then I hope you enjoyed our time together.
If we survive the day, then I'll see you tomorrow.