A prophecy from South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela has ignited a viral TikTok movement dubbed ‘RaptureTok’, claiming that the Rapture will occur on September 23, 2025.
His declaration that Jesus would return during Rosh Hashanah was shared in interviews and quickly spread across platforms.
In his statement, Mhlakela said, “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, the return is set for “the 23rd and 24th of September 2025.”
The Rapture is a Christian belief that in the end times, believers in Jesus will be taken up to meet him in the air while those remaining face the Tribulation. It has long been depicted in films such as Left Behind and the series The Leftovers.
On TikTok, the prophecy became a cultural event, with videos ranging from prayers and scripture readings to satirical skits. Some people quit their jobs, sold their cars and more in preparation while others posted dream diaries describing visions of trumpets and skies opening.
Countdown montages using Bible verses and dramatic footage to predict the moment as well as Hashtags such as #raptureready and #jesusiscoming also surged in popularity.
Not everyone responded with faith. Some users admitted the influx of Rapture content triggered what they called “end-times anxiety.” Others leaned into humour, with parodies offering mock advice on how to prepare. Across platforms, the trend blurred lines between devotion, entertainment, and scepticism.
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