South African Church Members Gather in Anticipation of Rapture

South African Church Members Gather in Anticipation of Rapture

A prophecy predicting the biblical Rapture would occur on September 23-24, 2025, has sparked widespread attention in South Africa and beyond. Members of a South African church allegedly gathered together, waiting for the prophecy to come to pass, after their prophet, Joshua Mhlakela, claimed he received visions from Jesus instructing him that He would return on those dates to take His church .

The prophecy quickly went viral online, especially under the hashtag #RaptureTok, with hundreds of thousands of posts appearing on TikTok and other platforms.
Some people reportedly made preparations for the prophecy, with a few quitting jobs or selling belongings. Others mocked the claim or dismissed it as yet another failed doomsday prediction.

Christian leaders and theologians have cautioned believers, stressing that the Bible warns against setting specific dates for Christ’s return. They pointed out that similar end-time predictions throughout history have repeatedly failed .

Biblical Perspective
The Bible emphasizes that no one knows the precise date and hour of Christ’s coming. According to Matthew 24:36, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Some Bible prophecy teachers believe that several events need to occur before the Rapture, including the unveiling of the Antichrist and the falling away .

As September 23 passed without incident, reactions shifted. Some online expressed disappointment, while others criticized the prophecy or turned it into memes. The viral spread of the claim was largely fueled by social media dynamics and humanity’s recurring fascination with apocalyptic themes .