Overview

• South African preacher Joshua Mhlakela’s prediction that the Rapture would occur Sept. 23–24 did not materialize, with several prominent influencers going quiet or posting apologies.
• Widely shared clips that appeared to show hundreds gathering in a forest to await the event remain unverified, with open-source analysis pointing to Ngwo Pine Forest in Enugu, Nigeria and no corroborating local reports.
• Some believers reported concrete preparations such as quitting jobs, selling cars, and leaving Bibles or supplies for those they believed would be “left behind,” exemplified by TikToker Melissa Johnston’s documented efforts.
• A new YouGov survey found 63% of Republicans, 40% of Democrats, and 36% of independents said they believed they would be taken in a rapture, mirroring broader patterns by region, age, and religiosity.
• Experts and pastors interviewed across outlets emphasized that rapture date-setting is a relatively recent and disputed doctrine, noting social platforms amplified both earnest warnings and satire and left some users feeling anxious when nothing happened.