PORTLAND, Ore. — For the past week, TikTok has been flooded with videos tagged #Rapture, warning of an imminent end of the world. Some users claim that on Sept. 23–24, Jesus Christ will return to gather believers into the sky, leaving others behind for judgment.
The viral predictions have stirred both fascination and fear, with creators sharing so-called “signs of the end times” and even offering preparation tips. But where did this sudden surge of speculation come from — and how do religious experts view it?
What Is the Rapture?
The Rapture is a concept found primarily in evangelical Christian teaching. It refers to the belief that faithful followers of Christ will be suddenly “caught up” to meet Jesus in the air before a time of tribulation on earth.
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The idea is often linked to 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which states: “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.”
However, scholars note that the concept of the Rapture as a separate event from Christ’s second coming is relatively new.
“Some Christians believe the rapture doctrine is biblical,” explained Paul Louis Metzger, professor of theology and culture at Multnomah Biblical Seminary in Portland. “Others maintain that it was created in the 19th century.”
Metzger added that predictions about the Rapture tend to gain momentum during turbulent cultural moments:
“Jesus’ return is a monumental hope for Christians. It becomes especially prominent in the minds of many during times of duress and cultural upheaval. According to many premillennialists, history is going to get increasingly worse before Jesus returns.”
Where Did the Latest Prediction Come From?
Though speculation about the end of days has circulated for centuries, the most recent wave can be traced back to a June 16 episode of the Centtwinz Podcast, featuring South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela.
In the video, Mhlakela claimed he had a vision in which Jesus told him he would return on Sept. 23 and 24. He offered no scriptural basis or theological reasoning — just the date. That single claim spread rapidly across TikTok, where creators linked it to current global conflicts, natural disasters, and biblical prophecies.
The date-setting has been met with skepticism from local scholars.
“There’s a long history of predictions,” said Gerry Breshears, professor of theology at Western Seminary 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.”
What Do Experts Say?
Breshears emphasized that even within Christian scripture, Jesus warns against predicting exact dates:
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“No one knows about that day or hour” (Matthew 24:36)
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“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7)
“Follow the authority of Jesus: We do not know,” Breshears said. “It could be any day.”
For scholars like Breshears and Metzger, viral date-setting distracts from the central message of Christian faith. Instead of focusing on predictions, they argue, believers should live with faithfulness in the present.
How Are People Responding Online?
Despite the skepticism of theologians, TikTok users have run with the predictions. Some have posted “Rapture prep tips,” ranging from selling off possessions and quitting jobs to leaving farewell notes for friends and family.
Others, however, have taken a more humorous approach, creating memes and parody videos about disappearing in the middle of mundane activities.
The mix of fear, satire, and curiosity has made #Rapture one of the platform’s fastest-spreading religious trends of the month.
A Pastoral Response
For local leaders, the viral buzz raises pastoral concerns. Breshears offered a simple piece of advice to those alarmed by the predictions:
“These viral predictions are very annoying. My pastoral advice would be don’t be alarmed. Live faithfully today. That’s the point of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24.”
Metzger echoed the sentiment, noting that speculation is nothing new but should not drive fear: “The Christian hope in Jesus’ return is meant to encourage perseverance and trust, not panic.”
A Story That Keeps Repeating
From the 19th century to today, predictions of the Rapture have come and gone — with each date passing without the world’s end. The TikTok-driven frenzy surrounding Sept. 23–24 may fade like many before it.
Still, experts suggest the viral moment reveals something deeper: a yearning for meaning during uncertain times. Whether the trend is taken seriously or with a grain of salt, it underscores how social media can amplify religious speculation and fuel global conversations overnight.
For now, most Christian leaders advise the same approach: stay calm, live with integrity, and leave the timing of the end of days in God’s hands.
