The conviction, the claim is widely disputed on theological grounds and faces simple logical questions about global time zones.
A specific date is circulating across social media with alarming urgency: September 23, 2025. According to a growing conspiracy theory, this will be the day the world ends. Fueled by a South African pastor's prophecy, the belief has spread beyond internet chitchat, and some believers have gone so far as to sell their houses, quit their jobs, and give away their belongings in anticipation of what is known as "the rapture."
The theory has found a powerful amplifier in platforms like TikTok and YouTube, creating a community of believers who are actively preparing for what they see as an inevitable biblical conclusion. This has spurred a broader discussion over the impact of online prophecies and their potentially useful ramifications.
The central figure behind the September 23 prediction is Pastor Joshua Mhlakela from South Africa. He says he had a supernatural vision that showed him the date. Mhlakela states that he "saw Jesus sitting on his throne," who spoke to him "loud and clear, 'I am coming soon'." According to the pastor, Jesus specified the dates of September 23 and 24, 2025, for his return.
Mhlakela describes the rapture as an event where God will "rescue the Christians out of the world." He prophesies that all living and dead believers will rise into the air to meet God, leaving non-believers behind. He has even claimed that God showed him "powerful monsters" chasing and devouring people left behind in his horrifying aftermath visions. It is crucial to remember that he offers no concrete proof for his assertions; they are based only on his stated dreams.
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The response among some followers has been extreme and tangible. Stand-up comedian Kevin Fredericks, who has commented on the phenomenon, noted, "They are selling their cars, clothes, some people are making post-rapture kits for the people who are left behind."
This is not just an observation; it is a reality for some. Individuals have taken to social media to document their preparations. One man, Tilahun Desalegn, admitted in a TikTok video that he had sold his five-year-old car to "catch a flight to heaven" in September. He stated, “She’s got to go. I won’t need her beyond September. I’m going home, to where my father in heaven is.” These actions demonstrate a profound level of conviction that has real-world economic and personal consequences.
Despite the fervor, the prophecy faces significant skepticism from both religious and logical standpoints.
Theological Dispute: Christian groups may not all agree on the idea of the rapture itself. More importantly, a key passage in the Bible is often cited to counter such specific date-setting prophecies. It reads, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Any human claim to know the precise date of a cataclysmic event is immediately contradicted by this.
The Time Zone Problem: A practical logical flaw has also been pointed out. Kevin Fredericks questioned the timing in a Reel, noting, “There are 24 time zones on Earth, 38 if you include the ones that have half-hour times. How you all know is unknown to men. This emphasizes how unlikely it is for a worldwide event to occur at one time on a certain day.
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The chosen date coincides with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which begins at sundown on September 22nd. Some prophecy theorists often link significant biblical events to Jewish holy days, adding a layer of perceived symbolism to the prediction for those who follow such interpretations. But rather than being a sign required by the Bible, this relationship is still up for interpretation.
