Rapture prediction collapses as preachers face backlash

A surge of online predictions that the Rapture would occur on Sept. 23 failed to materialize, triggering widespread backlash and apologies from some of the figures who promoted the date. The claims centered on the belief that Jesus would return during the Jewish Feast of Trumpets, known as Rosh Hashanah, which spanned from Sept. 22 to Sept. 24. Among the most prominent proponents was South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela, whose viral reach helped propel the forecast into global discourse. As midnight passed into Sept. 24 with no heavenly ascent, Mhlakela and his guests, in a livestream later removed from social media, urged patience, saying the Lord was on the way and would return “with a host of angels.” “I wonder how God works this out, in terms of the minute and the second,” he said as the night wore on, before signing off with the promise to resume the countdown the following day. Mhlakela later said the two potential dates were Sept. 23 or Sept. 24, with the implication that one would trigger the anticipated event.

The episode quickly expanded into a global talking point, with faith communities and lay followers grappling with how to respond. On social media, believers who had pawned possessions or rearranged life plans based on the prediction described a range of emotions from disappointment to outrage. In Australia, Tilahun Desalegn posted a clip showing his car being towed away after he proclaimed he would be returning home to his heavenly Father and declared, “Car is gone just like the Brides of Christ will be in September.” Desalegn, a self-described prophet with tens of thousands of TikTok followers, later issued a new video apologizing to the world and stating that he would not publicly comment on the Rapture again. He had previously urged others to prepare for an imminent departure.

Another figure who drew attention in the aftermath was Kingsalem Igwe, a Nigerian self-described Christian prophet who appeared in clips after the predicted date. In a video captured by critics and circulated online, Igwe apologized, saying he believed only because he followed another man’s claim of divine instruction. “I am here with all humility to apologize to everyone. I only believed a man who claimed Jesus told him,” he said in a post that critics shared on TikTok.

The broad backlash also included sharp online criticisms from fellow Christians. Critics argued that setting a date for the Second Coming contradicts biblical teaching and warned against placing faith in human timetables. “Do not be deceived! No man knows when Jesus will return,” one commenter wrote in response to Mhlakela’s now-deleted livestream. Others urged accountability and cautioned that the Bible counsels vigilance without date-setting. Vladimir Savchuk, a pastor, author, and online preacher, echoed that sentiment, noting that the Bible’s New Testament cautions against predicting times and that 2 Thessalonians 2:3 states the Antichrist must be revealed before Jesus returns.

The events fit into a longer pattern of end-times proclamations that periodically gain online traction, often amplified by viral videos and social-media sharing. While some adherents expressed heartbreak over the failed forecast, others used the moment to emphasize the importance of staying true to scripture and avoiding sensationalism. In many Christian communities, leaders stressed that the focus should remain on faith and service rather than on calculated horoscopes of salvation.

Contextualizing the episode, scholars and church leaders have long warned that date-setting can undermine theological credibility and erode trust when predictions do not come to pass. The broader conversation centers on how to responsibly engage with apocalyptic themes in a digital age, where sensational claims can reach millions within hours. Still, many adherents continued to participate in worship and charitable activities, choosing to move forward with life while processing the emotional impact of the unfolded sequence.

In the weeks since the event, organizers and participants have called for greater discernment and humility in online religious discourse. Some church networks have issued statements reaffirming core beliefs while urging members to avoid precision predictions about the timing of divine intervention. Others have highlighted the need for pastoral support for those who felt their lives were disrupted by the proclamation.

The episode underscores a continuing tension within online faith communities: the rapid spread of prophetic claims paired with the difficulty of verifying extraordinary statements in real time. As believers reflect on what happened, there is a renewed emphasis on accountability, careful interpretation of scripture, and commitment to serving others regardless of eschatological timelines. In the end, the episode may serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of dating the divine and the importance of keeping faith grounded in broader spiritual practice rather than in sensational forecasts.