Why do people think the Rapture could happen this week?

Evangelical Christians have been going viral on TikTok with warnings that the Rapture will take place this week.

According to certain believers, the Rapture is going to happen between September 23 and 24.

This date comes from the South African preacher Joshua Mhlakela, who announced it during an appearance on a podcast.

Although it was originally posted online on June 17, predictions of the Rapture didn’t begin gaining traction until a few days ago, when searches skyrocketed.

On TikTok, posts under the #Rapture exploded and have reached over 300,000 with some sharing videos of how they are preparing including selling their cars, and quitting their jobs.

Others are focusing on helping those they believe will be left behind, with one woman buying Bibles in bulk to leave around her home for last-minute converts.

What is the Rapture?

The rapture is the belief, based on teachings in the new testament, that Jesus is going to return from heaven.

Andy Hunter, director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches’ Scotland division, said Paul the Apostle wrote that during the Rapture, Christians would be caught up in the air to meet Jesus.

Depending on beliefs, the Rapture is believed to be a single event or a sequence of events that will culminate with the end of this current age.

“Some Christians have taken the view that there will be an interlude, Christians to heaven, tribulation before Jesus brings things to a close,” Mr Hunter said.

“Others read that the Rapture and the end of the world will happen at the same time, that’s where it gets complicated. Some see it as a single event, and others as a sequence.”

When is the Rapture expected to happen?

Despite recent rumours, Mr Hunter said the new testament doesn’t give a date or time on when the Rapture would happen.

“I don’t think there’s any biblical basis for a specific timescale. In fact, in the bible, Jesus himself didn’t know when it would happen,” he said.

Mr Hunter added that predicting an event can be “hazardous”, adding that many people in history have claimed to know when it would happen and have obviously been wrong.

He added that the teaching of the Rapture isn’t about preparation, but to “consistently live in the light of Jesus”.

“It could happen today, tomorrow, months or years from now. The Bible doesn’t give a timescale. It’s not that we should have a period of special preparation for his return, in one sense we should be ready for it any time, living good, godly lives and trusting in Jesus,” he said.