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A wave of fervent belief is sweeping across TikTok, as a growing number of evangelical Christians are preparing for what they claim will be the Rapture, scheduled to occur on September 23. This extraordinary prophecy, predicting the imminent return of Jesus Christ to Earth and the ascension of true believers to Heaven, has ignited a social media frenzy, leaving the “unsaved” to face seven years of divine judgment.
The Genesis of the September 23 Rapture Prophecy
The specific date, September 23, appears to originate from a sermon by South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela. In a clip posted on the YouTube channel CENTTWINZTV, Mhlakela asserts that he received a direct vision from Jesus Christ, revealing that the world’s end would commence on either September 23 or 24. His prophecy extends further, claiming that the chaos following the Rapture would even prevent the 2026 World Cup from taking place, a stark warning for soccer enthusiasts worldwide.
Despite Mhlakela’s video surfacing in June, its momentum truly surged in recent days. Google Trends data reveals significant spikes in searches for terms like “rapture Tuesday” and “is the rapture coming,” indicating widespread public interest. On TikTok, the #Rapture hashtag has exploded, accumulating over 290,000 posts, showcasing a diverse range of reactions from genuine alarm to satirical commentary.
TikTok Users Prepare for the “End Times”
Amidst the parodies—like users comically claiming dibs on properties of the departed—many TikTok videos reflect earnest preparations for the predicted event. One self-proclaimed “prophet and evangelist” shared his decision to sell his car, declaring, “Car is gone just like the Brides of Christ will be in September.”
Another user demonstrated her elaborate preparations, including strategically placing Dollar Tree Bibles with bookmarked scriptures for those left behind. “Hopefully, these books will end up in the hands of those who need them,” she stated. Some are even urging followers to unlock their phones, speculating that true believers won’t be permitted to bring their devices to Heaven.
A Personal Revelation: Hannah Gallman’s Story
The intensity of belief is perhaps best exemplified by Hannah Gallman, a Louisiana woman whose TikTok video garnered over 188,000 views. Gallman recounted praying for God to allow her to remain at home with her family during the Rapture. She interpreted her subsequent job termination as divine confirmation of the September 23 date, stating, “Instead of being upset about not having a job, all I felt was peace.” She told The Cut that Mhlakela’s viral video validated her long-held suspicions about the world’s imminent end, expressing heartbreak for those who joke about it, believing they will regret not taking the prophecy seriously when it’s “too late.”
A Recurring Phenomenon: Past End-Time Prophecies
This isn’t the first instance of a viral “end of the world” prediction. In 2012, the Mayan calendar prophecy led some to stockpile supplies and even quit jobs in anticipation of an apocalypse. Similarly, Church of God pastor Ronald Weinland’s prediction of the world’s end in June 2019 (later pushed to 2020) caused significant concern within evangelical circles.
The precise reason for Mhlakela’s specific prophecy gaining such widespread traction remains unclear, particularly its coincidence with Rosh Hashanah and celebrity birthdays. Nevertheless, this viral Christian prophecy has undeniably captured global attention, prompting contemplation, preparation, and widespread discussion across digital platforms.