A prophecy from South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela has given rise to a viral TikTok trend known as “RaptureTok,” centred on his claim that the Rapture will take place on 23 September 2025.
Mhlakela’s declaration, first shared during interviews, spread rapidly across social media platforms. He asserted that Jesus would return during the Jewish festival of Rosh Hashanah, stating, “The rapture is upon us, whether you are ready or not. I saw Jesus sitting on his throne, and I could hear him very loud and clear saying, ‘I am coming soon.’” According to him, this event is set for the 23rd and 24th of September next year.
The Rapture is a belief within Christianity that, in the final days, faithful believers will be taken up to meet Jesus while those left behind will face the Tribulation. The concept has been explored in popular culture, including the Left Behind films and the television series The Leftovers.
On TikTok, the prophecy has taken on a life of its own. Videos appear in many forms, from heartfelt prayers and scripture readings to lighthearted skits. Some individuals claim they have quit their jobs or sold personal possessions to prepare. Others post dream journals filled with images of trumpets sounding and skies parting.
Content creators also produce countdown clips that combine dramatic footage with Bible verses, while hashtags such as #raptureready and #jesusiscoming continue to grow in use.
Reactions, however, are far from uniform. For some viewers, the sheer volume of Rapture-themed content has stirred feelings of “end-times anxiety.” Others approach it with humour, sharing parody videos that mock the idea of preparation. Across the platform, the trend now weaves together devotion, satire, and scepticism, turning a single prophecy into a global online phenomenon. —Tribune
