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A wave of fervent declarations is sweeping across TikTok, as a segment of Evangelical Christians passionately believes the Rapture is imminent, specifically slated for Tuesday, September 23, 2025. This belief centers on the Evangelical Christian tenet that Jesus Christ will return to Earth, gathering true believers to ascend to Heaven, leaving others behind to face a period of divine judgment.
The precise date, September 23, appears to trace back to a sermon by South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela. In a clip widely shared on the YouTube channel CENTTWINZTV, Mhlakela claims to have received a direct vision from Jesus Christ, revealing that the world’s end would occur on either September 23 or 24. His prophecy even extends to the 2026 World Cup, stating, “But after the rapture of September 2025, the chaos that will be in the world, the destruction and the devastation that will occur with the Rapture — there will be no World Cup 2026.”
While Mhlakela’s video first surfaced on June 17, it only recently exploded in popularity. Google Trends data shows a significant spike in searches for phrases like “rapture Tuesday” and “is the rapture coming.” On TikTok, the #Rapture hashtag has amassed over 290,000 posts, showcasing a mix of genuine belief and satirical takes. Some users parody the concept, lightheartedly planning to claim vacant homes, while others are profoundly serious.
Among the earnest adherents, a self-proclaimed “prophet and evangelist to the nations” shared a video with over 320,000 views, detailing his decision to sell his car. “Car is gone just like the Brides of Christ will be in September,” his caption read. Another individual demonstrated how she’s preparing her home, strategically placing Dollar Tree Bibles with bookmarked scriptures for those “left behind,” hoping they “will end up in the hands of those who need them.” One woman even urged her followers to unlock their phones, speculating that true believers won’t be permitted to bring their devices to Heaven.
The anticipation is so palpable that some individuals are interpreting everyday events as confirmation. Hannah Gallman, a Louisiana woman, shared a TikTok video that garnered over 188,000 views, explaining how she prayed to God for the ability to stay home with her family during the Rapture. Her subsequent job termination was seen as divine proof that the September 23 date was accurate. “Instead of being upset about not having a job, all I felt was peace,” she recounted. Gallman told The Cut that “God got my attention about the end time stuff” last November, an urgency confirmed by Mhlakela’s viral video. She expressed heartbreak for those joking about it, fearing they will realize the truth too late if the prophecy holds true.
This isn’t the first time an impending Rapture claim has captivated online audiences. Previous viral predictions include the Mayan calendar’s supposed end-of-world date on December 20, 2012, and Church of God pastor Ronald Weinland’s assertion that the world would end on June 9, 2019 (a date later revised to 2020). These instances spurred some to make drastic life changes, from stocking up on supplies to quitting jobs.
The exact reason for Mhlakela’s prophecy gaining such significant traction this time remains unclear, as does its coincidence with Rosh Hashanah and the birthdays of various celebrities. Regardless of what the coming days hold, this viral phenomenon offers a fascinating glimpse into contemporary religious fervor intersecting with social media.