'The world will end today' as Rapture predictions cause global chaos

A pastor’s prediction has convinced thousands of Christians that the world is about to end over the next two days. But here’s the thing: they’re looking forward to it.

Previous doomsday predictions include 2012, which coincided with the end of the Mayan calendar. However, this latest prophecy has been going viral in the TikTok community #rapturetok, which has over 6,800 posts and millions of views, as believers frantically prepare for one of Christianity’s bizarre theories. So, if you’re wondering what on earth the Rapture is, buckle up.

The Rapture refers to a belief held mainly by certain American evangelicals that at the Second Coming, living and dead believers will ascend into the air to meet Jesus Christ. As for everyone else? They’ll be left back at base to deal with the impending seven years of tribulation and wrath.

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Videos show creators spreading the word, sharing their doomsday prep (most of which seems to consist of “repenting”) and even leaving their phones unlocked so that when they ascend the non-believers can use them. After all, one can assume there’s no WiFi in heaven.

One #Rapturetok creator who’s gained considerable notoriety is an American woman who is also convinced the end is nigh. She has claimed to her 58K followers that she has seen signs of the impending Rapture, which include her tree “raining” and her three-year-old son somehow speaking Hebrew.

But while most seem to be anticipating it, for others it’s been getting emotional. One creator, who admitted to being “super persuadable”, posted a video of her crying over the thought of “only having a few days left with my kids”.

Of course, not everyone has been taking the “Rapture” with the same level of seriousness. Many TikTokers have been jokingly planning their Rapture outfits (often with the aim of making sure their underwear doesn’t show when they are beamed into the sky), while others have been gleefully listing off the crimes they plan to commit before the world’s end.

Why do people think the Rapture is going to happen?

It stems from a YouTube featuring South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela, who predicted that the Rapture could occur in September this year. The video has over half a million views and thousands of comments, many of whom adamantly state that they believe him.

What time do people think the Rapture will be?

The general theory floating around is that the Rapture is set to happen between September 23 and 24. This is because it coincides with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, which occurs from September 22 to 24.

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Is the Rapture actually going to happen?

Unfortunately (for the devout evangelicals), Rapture prophets don’t have the best track record when it comes to predicting these kinds of things. American televangelist Rex Humbard previously predicted the Rapture would occur in 1983, while American Baptist Peter Ruckman attempted to pinpoint a date Rapture in the 1980s and 90s.

More recently, two dates in 2011 were predicted by the evangelist Harold Camping, which also failed to come true. It comes after Baba Vanga and Nostradamus both made horror prediction that may come true in just months.

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