is Rapture Today? What is Christians Rapture and Why do People Think the Rapture is Coming?

On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, a wave of social media posts created panic and discussion. The question on many people’s minds was, “Is the rapture happening today?“

This comes after a South African pastor, Joshua Mhlakela, claimed to have a vision. He said Jesus told him the rapture would happen on September 23 or 24, 2025. This date lines up with Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish New Year holiday.

The idea of the “Rapture” has been talked about a lot on platforms like TikTok. People have shared videos about getting ready for it. Some have even said they are selling their homes and cars.

They believe they will not need these things if they are taken to heaven. The trend, known as #RaptureTok, shows a mix of real fear and funny jokes.

What is the Rapture?

For many people, the word “Rapture” is not known.

It is a belief held by some Christians, especially those in the evangelical and fundamentalist groups. They believe that at a certain time, all true Christian believers, both living and dead, will be taken up to heaven to meet Jesus Christ. This event is said to happen in a moment, “in the twinkling of an eye.”

The word “rapture” itself is not in the Bible. But the idea comes from some verses. For example, in the book of 1 Thessalonians, it is said that “we who are still alive… will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” This passage is seen as the main text for the rapture belief.

Rapture and the End Times

The rapture is a part of a bigger belief system about the “end times.” Many Christians believe that after the rapture, a time of great suffering will come on Earth. This period is called the “Tribulation.” It is said to last for seven years.

There are different views on when the rapture will happen. Some believe in a “pre-tribulation” rapture. This means believers will be taken to heaven before the suffering starts. Others believe in a “post-tribulation” rapture. This means believers will go through the suffering and then be taken to heaven.

The belief that the rapture will happen before the tribulation is quite popular. The thinking is that God will save His people from the great suffering. The Book of Revelation talks about a time of God’s wrath on Earth. It is believed that Christians will not have to face this wrath.

Why do people believe the rapture is coming now?

Predictions about the end of the world are not new. They have happened many times in history. People have often looked at world events, natural disasters, or special dates in the calendar. They then connect these things to Bible prophecies. They think these events are “signs” that the end is near.

In this case, the South African pastor’s vision has gone viral. His prediction of the date has created a new round of excitement and panic. People on social media are seeing this as a sign. They feel that because the news is spreading so fast, it must be true.

Also, the date he gave, September 23 or 24, is important. It is the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. This holiday is also called the Feast of Trumpets. In the Bible, trumpets are often used to announce important events. This connection makes the prediction seem more real to some believers.

A history of failed predictions

It is important to remember that many people have predicted the rapture before. And every single time, their predictions have failed. In the past, people like Harold Camping gave specific dates. His predictions in 1994 and 2011 did not come true.

But the belief in the rapture stays strong for many. For them, it is a sign of hope. They believe that they will one day be with their Lord in heaven. They see it as a way to escape the troubles of the world. This hope gives them comfort.

For others, the constant talk about the end of the world can create fear. People who are not Christian, or those who do not believe in the rapture, find the whole idea strange. They see it as a source of jokes and online memes.

In the end, while some people are selling their belongings and getting ready for the rapture, many others are not. They point to the Bible itself, which says that “about that day or hour no one knows.” For these people, the most important thing is to live a good life. They believe that if the rapture does happen, they will be ready, no matter what day it is.