In September 2025, TikTok filled up with videos about the Rapture. This trend, called RaptureTok, started after South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela said he had a dream that Jesus would return on September 23–24, 2025. The dream was first shared on YouTube and then quickly spread to TikTok, where the hashtag #RaptureTok gained hundreds of thousands of posts.
People on TikTok reacted in very different ways. Some truly believe the prophecy. They posted videos about quitting their jobs, selling their homes, and leaving Bibles behind for those who might be “left on Earth.” One woman even said losing her job was a sign that the September date was real.
Others took a lighter approach and used humor. Creators made funny videos about how the Rapture might look, joked about pets floating up into the sky, and even shared “Rapture travel tips” as if heaven was a vacation trip.
But not all reactions were fun. Some people said RaptureTok brought back bad memories from growing up in strict churches. They talked about “rapture trauma,” which means being scared about the end of the world as kids. Others admitted they felt afraid after watching so many videos, with one woman saying she wanted to spend her last days with her children.
The Bible verses often linked to the Rapture include 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, which says believers will be “caught up in the clouds.” Pastor Mhlakela’s vision fits with the belief that Christians will be taken before hard times hit Earth. Still, critics point to Matthew 24:36, where Jesus says no one knows the exact day or hour of His return—not even the angels.
History shows many past predictions about the Rapture have been wrong. Remember Y2K? Remember the Haley Comet Cult? Every attempt to set a date has failed. Each time, people felt fear, disappointment, or even laughed at the idea afterward. RaptureTok is simply the newest version of this, but with the power of TikTok, it spread faster than ever.
The Rapture is a real belief in Christianity, but many pastors warn against setting dates. Instead, they say people should live ready every day, focusing on faith, love, and hope.
RaptureTok shows how quickly social media can spread both fear and comedy—but it also reminds us that the truth of the Rapture is not about setting dates, but about how we live now.








