South African Pastor's 2025 Rapture Prophecy Sparks Global TikTok Trend

In 2025, a prophecy by South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela claiming Jesus will return during Rosh Hashanah on September 23-24 sparked a viral social media phenomenon known as 'RaptureTok' on TikTok and other platforms. Mhlakela said he received a vision in which Jesus declared, 'I am coming soon,' prompting some believers to prepare seriously by selling possessions or quitting jobs, while others created humorous and satirical content. The Rapture, a Christian belief where faithful believers are taken up to heaven before a period of tribulation, has long been a topic of speculation without a precise biblical date, yet Mhlakela's date gave new momentum to end-times discussions online. The trend mixed faith, fear, humor, and skepticism, creating a cultural moment where religion and internet meme culture intersected. The viral spread of the prophecy reflects TikTok's power to amplify even solemn religious themes into mainstream social conversation. This has led to a blend of reactions ranging from prayer and anxiety to parody and entertainment across social media.