Is the South African pastor, who predicted the Rapture will happen today, correct?
Dear LBC Family,
A couple of people have contacted me regarding the “prophecy” by South African pastor Joshua Mhllakela that the Rapture will occur today or tomorrow (September 23 or 24, 2025). These people are concerned about not being ready or about the disappointment of others if it doesn’t happen. So I’m writing to try to bring some biblical perspective and comfort.
First, none of us knows for sure the way the end times will transpire. I personally believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture. But lots of born again, Bible-believing, Spirit-filled believers, pastors, and theologians have other Bible-based positions on whether the Rapture is a separate event from the Second Coming of Christ, and if so, when it occurs in the timeline, or if it is simultaneous with the Second coming. Nobody can say with certainty.
Second, I believe Jesus may come back at any moment, or He may not come for another thousand years or more. Believers in every generation since He ascended have assumed He would return in their lifetime. So far, every generation has been wrong about that. “Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) Many wonder why He hasn’t returned already. The Bible answers that. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) God wants people to come to Jesus in saving faith before He judges the world.
Third, if someone predicts the day Jesus will return, it is virtually certain that is NOT the day He will return! Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son —except the Father alone. (Matthew 24:36) The timing of Christ’s return is not for us to know. God has chosen to keep that to Himself, which, as God after all, is His sovereign right.
There have been many, many, false prophecies of Christ’s return, and they have all been wrong, proving that the people making them are either misguided of scripture’s teaching on the matter or they are false prophets. Just a few examples:
- Ellen G. White, founder of the 7th Day Adventist movement, predicted Jesus would return in 1844 and then, when that was wrong, she changed it to 1845. Wrong again!
- The Jehovah’s Witnesses predicted Jesus would come back in 1925. Obviously, that did not happen.
- David Koresh of the Branch Davidians prophesied Christ’s coming would occur in the 1990s. Nope!
- Harold Camping, a radio broadcaster, set multiple dates for the return of Christ in the mid-1990s and then again in 2011. Wrong again. And again. And again and again.
- John Hagee, a Word of Faith / prosperity gospel preacher, predicted that “the prophetic events of Revelation would be initiated after the fourth consecutive ‘blood moon’ in 2015.” Yet, here we are, ten years later, and Christ has not yet returned.
And now a South African Pastor makes a prediction on TikTok (!) that Jesus will come back today or tomorrow.
Folks, do not be deceived. And certainly, do not be frightened! If you are in Christ, His return (regardless of how you understand the timeline) will be a day of great rejoicing for His people!
Some folks have asked me how to know when He’ll be coming and what they should do. The Bible answers both of those questions. I’ve already answered the first—you WON’T know! As to the second: It is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire, and the elements will melt with heat. But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace. (2 Peter 3:10-14)
So, live for Jesus today! Certainly, we should eagerly anticipate His return. But remember that He wants people to come to repentance before He comes back, so be praying for the Spirit to open the door to share the Gospel with the people in your life who don’t yet know Him. And evaluate every prophecy and teaching against God’s Word, our only standard for truth and righteousness. Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. (2 Peter 3:17-18)
I love you all.
In HIM>
Pastor Scott