South African Pastor’s Rapture Prediction Ends in Disappointment

On September 23, 2025, South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela confidently assured his followers that they would experience the rapture that day. He declared, “This day we will be raptured. I give you his word and I give you my word.” The pastor’s prediction, which coincided with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, sparked a wave of excitement among his followers and the broader Christian community on social media, particularly under the trending hashtag #RaptureTok.

As the day progressed without any sign of the anticipated event, Mhlakela’s livestream became increasingly tense. Initially, he reassured viewers, stating, “God does not lie,” but his tone shifted as the hours passed. He adjusted his timeline, suggesting the rapture could still occur on September 24, before ultimately signing off after midnight with a plea for patience: “Please keep waiting with us.” The promised rapture, however, never materialized.

The fervor surrounding Mhlakela’s prediction had been palpable leading up to the date. Many followers prepared for the event by making significant life changes, including selling possessions and arranging care for pets and family members. Yet, as the day unfolded, social media erupted with humor and skepticism. A TikToker from North Carolina remarked, “I haven’t seen anybody floating upwards…so maybe it hasn’t happened yet.” By the following morning, the only thing rising was a wave of memes, with users sharing jokes about mundane responsibilities like paying rent and doing laundry.

This incident marks another chapter in the long history of failed end-times prophecies. In 1844, Baptist preacher William Miller faced disappointment after predicting Christ’s return, an event that has since been referred to as “The Great Disappointment.” More recently, a similar prediction was made for September 23, 2017, based on celestial alignments, which also fell flat. The phenomenon of #RaptureTok has distinguished itself as a notable instance of viral religious fervor, generating over 350,000 videos on the platform.

Following the failed prophecy, many prominent creators began deleting their related content or switching their accounts to private. Clips of Mhlakela’s livestream, particularly his hesitant sign-off, have been widely circulated and serve as a testament to the event’s unexpected outcome. Viewers noted his uncertainty as he questioned, “I wonder how God works this out, in terms of the minute and the second.”

In the wake of this event, some believers have doubled down, pushing the date to September 25, while others have opted for silence. The broader internet community has largely moved on, regarding the situation as both a source of entertainment and a cautionary tale about the spread of misinformation online.

The fallout from the failed rapture prediction extended beyond digital platforms. During a performance on her Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things tour, pop star Chappell Roan humorously acknowledged the uproar, stating, “Thank God the rapture didn’t happen today. Thank God I could sing my show.” This quip resonated with the audience, highlighting how the failed prophecy had emerged as a significant cultural reference point.

The events surrounding the rapture prediction of 2025 will likely be remembered as another “Great Disappointment,” but one that unfolded in the age of social media, illustrating both the power and pitfalls of viral communication.