Experts Explain Rapture Belief Amid Viral Apocalyptic Prediction

Jesus' return to Earth is also known as the Second Coming

The Rapture is imminent - at least according to an apocalyptic prophecy from a South African individual who claims it will occur on September 23 or 24.

His prediction has spread widely online, with some viewing it as signaling the end times while many others ridicule it across social media platforms.

"There are millions and millions of Christians globally today, perhaps even hundreds of millions who believe in contemporary prophecy and consume media filled with these modern prophetic messages," explained Matthew Taylor, a senior Christian scholar at the Institute for Islamic-Christian-Jewish Studies.

Here's an examination of the theological concept of the Rapture and its historical significance:

The Rapture represents a belief held by certain evangelical Christians about a future event where Jesus returns to Earth to elevate true believers to heaven before a period of great tribulation culminating in the world's end.

"Everyone else remains on earth during a chaotic and troubled period," explained Amy Frykholm, author of "Rapture Culture: Left Behind in Evangelical America."

"Typically, in this narrative framework, those who are 'taken up' in the Rapture come as a surprise," she noted, "while many presumed good Christians find themselves left behind."

Jesus' return to Earth, also termed the Second Coming, appears in the Old Testament's Book of Daniel and the New Testament's Book of Revelation, according to Randall Balmer, a professor of religion at Dartmouth College.

Early Christians facing persecution during the Roman Empire era viewed the Book of Revelation as reassurance that God would ultimately triumph over evil, he indicated.

The term "rapture" does not actually appear in biblical text.

However, several passages are commonly cited to support this belief, including sections from 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians and Matthew 24.

Belief in the Rapture emerged during the mid-19th century in Britain and other English-speaking regions, according to Frykholm. It introduced a secret exclusivity element to the Second Coming, which was already an accepted belief at that time, she explained.

The Rapture concept spread throughout the 20th century via Bible conferences, evangelical media and the publication of the Scofield Reference Bible, which detailed the Rapture in its footnotes, Frykholm stated. Popular culture further promoted this belief, including through the evangelical Christian horror film "A Thief in the Night" and the bestselling "Left Behind" novel series.

Joshua Mhlakela, a South African man who describes himself simply as a believer without religious title, claims God granted him visions of the future in a widely viewed YouTube video published three months ago.

In the video, he recounts seeing Jesus on a throne and hearing him declare his imminent return: "He says to me: 'On the 23rd and the 24th, 2025, I will come to take my Church.'"

His prediction has fueled debates among Christian commentators and gone viral across social media, particularly on TikTok under the hashtag #RaptureTok where many mock it as yet another false claim from another false prophet.

Some observers have noted these dates coincide with the beginning of Judaism's High Holy Days, which started this year on September 22 with Rosh Hashana - the Jewish New Year. Others have pointed out that if occurring now, it would follow the killing of US conservative activist and evangelical Christian Charlie Kirk and coincide with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

"Ideas about the Rapture are best understood within the broader context of apocalypticism, an ancient Jewish worldview predating Christianity," Kim Haines-Eitzen, a professor of ancient Mediterranean religions at Cornell University, stated via email.

She explained that apocalyptic ideology often intensifies during or after traumatic events, noting that many early Christians believed the end times would arrive during their lifetime.

"Their writings are now utilized by contemporary Christians who share Mhlakela's perspective that the Rapture is imminent-perhaps even today," she added.

California doomsday preacher Harold Camping predicted the Rapture would occur on May 21, 2011. His independent Christian media empire invested millions of dollars to spread this message. He abandoned public prophecy when his prediction failed to materialize.

Predictions about Jesus' imminent return to Earth and the world's end are not uncommon, though not all include a Rapture component.

A notable historical example occurred in the 19th century, when US farmer and Bible interpreter William Miller began informing his followers that Jesus would return sometime between 1843 and 1844. Miller claimed his calculations were based on biblical interpretation.

"Many of his followers gathered in preparation to be translated into heaven. When this didn't happen by his predicted date, he reconsidered his calculations and established another date - October 22, 1844 - assuring his followers they would be transported to heaven. Naturally, this didn't materialize either," Balmer explained.

This moment is historically known as the Great Disappointment.

More recently, a Korean evangelical group called the Mission for the Coming Days incorrectly predicted Jesus would return on October 28, 1992.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church traces its origins to Miller's teachings.

When Jesus did not return as expected, the "Great Disappointment" occurred, causing the Millerites to fragment into smaller groups. One faction, influenced by Ellen White's visions, evolved into today's Seventh-day Adventist practice. Others became Jehovah's Witnesses.

"Some initiated the secret rapture movement that eventually became more broadly evangelical," Frykholm noted.

What united these groups, she explained, was their refusal to specify a date for the Second Coming, citing Jesus' statement that the timing could never be known.

When prophecies fail to materialize, Taylor explained, modern-day prophets often frame this in terms of spiritual warfare, maintaining they were correct to reveal the prophecy but blaming humanity for failing to cooperate with God's will.

Historically, failed predictors "end up with considerable embarrassment," Taylor concluded.