Is the Rapture Really Coming? 7 Surprising Reasons People Think the End Times Are Near

Intro A wave of viral videos, blog posts and sermon clips has convinced thousands that the Rapture—the moment when Christians are taken up to heaven before a period of tribulation—will occur on 23-24 September 2025. Searches for “why do people think the rapture is coming” and “rapture 2025” have surged as TikTok creators, pastors and prophecy-watch websites argue that a unique convergence of biblical feast days, astronomical signs and global turmoil point to an imminent end-times event. 1. A date linked to the Feast of Trumpets Most of the online buzz centers on the Jewish Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), which falls at sundown on 23 September this year. Influencers claim that Paul’s reference to “the last trumpet” (1 Cor 15:52) means the Rapture must align with this festival. Although many theologians caution that the verse is symbolic, the trumpet motif has proven irresistible for date-setters. 2. A South African pastor’s viral prophecy The current countdown was amplified when South African preacher Chris Mkhize posted a sermon insisting God revealed 23 September as “the appointed time.” Clips of the message have been stitched and duet-reacted across TikTok, racking up millions of views and spawning the hashtag #rapture2025. 3. End-times math and astronomical signs Creators add layers of numerology: 2025 is said to mark 2,000 years since Jesus’ resurrection, while a rare solar eclipse in April plus a Blood Moon in September are cast as signs from Luke 21. Skeptic ministries note that similar alignments were promoted in 2017 and 2020 without result, but the “prophecy math” continues to circulate thanks to algorithm-driven video feeds. 4. Social media’s echo chamber effect Unlike previous doomsday scares that spread via email chains, today’s predictions are fueled by short-form video. Because platforms reward engagement, sensational end-times clips are disproportionately recommended, creating what digital theologian Daniel Prude calls a “self-reinforcing prophecy loop.” Users anxious about war, climate disasters and political chaos find content that frames those headlines as proof the end is near. 5. Why the Rapture keeps getting rescheduled • Theological ambiguity: Scripture says “no one knows the day or hour,” yet also urges believers to “watch,” leaving room for speculation. • Psychological comfort: In turbulent times, an imminent rescue can sound more appealing than an uncertain future. • Media momentum: Failed dates rarely go viral, but new dates do—so the cycle resets after each non-event. 6. What mainstream scholars say Evangelical scholars such as Craig Keener remind believers that rapture date-setting has been debunked repeatedly—from Harold Camping’s 2011 billboards to 2017’s “Revelation 12 sign.” They urge Christians to focus on ethical living rather than end-times arithmetic. Even pastors who hold to a literal Rapture caution against pinpointing 23 September; the Bible’s key passages emphasize readiness at all times, not calendar calculations. 7. How to navigate the hype • Verify claims with reputable biblical scholars. • Watch for red flags: definitive dates, merchandise sales, or claims of exclusive revelation. • Remember past failed prophecies; history suggests the date will pass uneventfully. Conclusion Search interest in “why do people think the rapture is coming” highlights a perennial pattern: every few years, social media revives an old prophecy with a new date. Whether 23 September 2025 becomes another footnote in failed predictions or the fulfillment millions hope for, the conversation underscores how digital platforms, cultural anxiety and selective Bible reading combine to keep doomsday right around the corner.