Some social media users are bracing for the end of the world.
Videos tagged #Rapture have gone viral in recent days, with some warning that Jesus will return Sept. 23-24 for the Rapture, an event during which followers believe they will ascend into the sky to meet Jesus Christ.
What is the Rapture?
The Rapture refers to a largely evangelical belief that faithful Christians will be “caught up” to meet Jesus in the air before a period of judgement on earth. Many point to 1 Thessalonians 4:17 as the scriptural basis: “We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
But the idea of the Rapture as a separate event from Jesus’ second coming is relatively recent.
“Some Christians believe the rapture doctrine is biblical,” said Paul Louis Metzger, professor of theology and culture at Multnomah Biblical Seminary, a Portland-based interdenominational Christian seminary. “Others maintain that it was created in the 19th century.”
Metzger added that such predictions often gain traction in moments of cultural anxiety.
“Jesus’ return is a monumental hope for Christians. It becomes especially prominent in the minds of many during times of duress and cultural upheaval,” he said. “According to many premillennialists, history is going to get increasingly worse before Jesus returns.”
Where did the most recent Rapture prediction come from?
Rapture predictions began in the 19th century. Since then, dozens of predictions about the timing of the Rapture have circulated.
The latest wave of Rapture speculation started with a June 16 episode of the Centtwinz Podcast, featuring South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela. In the video, Mhlakela claims he had a vision in which he was called up into heaven and Jesus told him he was returning on Sept. 23 and 24.
Mhlakela offered no biblical citations or theological arguments, just the date. But that was enough to set off a social media storm, amplified by creators posting videos about signs of the end times.
But at least one local theologian is skeptical.
“There’s a long history of predictions,” said Gerry Breshears, professor of theology at Western Seminary, an evangelical seminary based in Portland. “This one ties dates to Israel’s founding and to October 7 — but it’s extremely speculative. It’s a conspiracy theory of the worst kind.”
Breshears emphasized that Jesus himself cautioned against date-setting:
“Go back and read Matthew 24:36: ‘No one knows about that day or hour,’” he said. “Then Acts 1:7: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.’ So follow the authority of Jesus: We do not know. It could be any day.”
How are people preparing?
Despite a lack of guidance from Christian leaders, many have turned to social media for Rapture “trip tips,” sharing how they’re preparing, from selling valuables and quitting jobs to leaving behind messages explaining their expected disappearance.
Breshear stressed that fear shouldn’t be the driving emotion.
“These viral predictions are very annoying,” Breshears said. “My pastoral advice would be don’t be alarmed. Live faithfully today. That’s the point of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24.”
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