RaptureTok: Why a viral prophecy has Christians bracing for the End of the World
A surge of social media posts, mainly on TikTok, has reignited debate over predictions regarding the Christian doctrine of the Rapture, especially relating to 2025.
Understanding the Rapture
The Rapture is a belief among some Protestant groups, particularly American evangelicals. According to this teaching, when Christ returns, believers — living and resurrected — are taken up to meet Jesus in the air in «the twinkling of an eye.»
While «rapture» is not in the Bible, it stems from the Latin rapiemur in the Vulgate translation of the Greek harpazō, meaning «to seize» or «caught up.» The idea is not universally held: Catholic, Orthodox, and many mainline Protestants interpret relevant passages differently and do not teach a separate Rapture.
A viral prediction for 2025
Current speculation comes from South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela, who claims he had a vision that the Rapture will occur on Sept. 23-24, 2025. Those dates coincide with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which some prophecy interpreters link to New Testament references about trumpet blasts signaling the return of Christ.
The prediction has quickly circulated under #RaptureTok, fueling anticipation and alarm. Some believers are reportedly making major life changes, such as selling property or leaving jobs. Meanwhile, many Christian scholars and clergy caution that, according to Matthew 24:36, «no one knows the day or the hour» of Jesus’ return.
Notably, history offers a warning: past prophecies have set dates for the Rapture or end times, only to pass unfulfilled, often causing disillusionment among followers and criticism of promoters.
