Pastor Again Predicts Doomsday Hours Away, Claiming Calendar Error Shifted Rapture Date
South African preacher Joshua Mhlakela claims visions from Jesus indicate the Rapture will occur between October 12-13, a date he has repeatedly moved.
Pastor Joshua Mhlakela has again predicted the imminent end of days, claiming that the biblical event known as the Rapture will occur between October 12 and 13. Mhlakela, a South African preacher, asserts that visions from Jesus have revealed a calendar error, necessitating a shift from his previous September 2025 prediction to the current October dates.
According to Christian theology, the Rapture signifies the Second Coming of Jesus and the day of judgment. This prophecy draws on biblical passages that describe the faithful rising to meet Jesus in the air. However, the Bible explicitly states that no one knows the day or hour of this event.
Mhlakela has a history of setting Rapture dates, each of which has failed to materialize. His earlier prophecy for September 23, 2025, caused significant concern among some Christians, leading some to sell possessions and quit jobs after viewing his warnings online. Mhlakela's recent livestream on a Monday morning urged listeners to embrace Jesus, describing the Rapture not as an end but as a celebration for believers.
He explained his latest prediction by stating that divine intervention delayed the final judgment by a year to allow for greater repentance, fulfilling scripture that suggests the Tribulation period would be shortened for the chosen.
The pastor linked his revised date to an interpretation of biblical calendars, suggesting a vision involving two full moons indicated a one-month discrepancy. He believes the current Passover is misaligned with astrological signs mentioned in scripture, thus shifting the related Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) to mid-October.
However, scholars note that the biblical account of the Exodus does not specify the sun's position in Aries during Passover, with this connection appearing in later writings. Mhlakela's proclamation has reignited speculation about the world's end and the onset of the Tribulation, a period described as being ruled by the Antichrist.
His predictions have generated considerable attention on social media, particularly through a phenomenon dubbed RaptureTok. This has also led to strong criticism from many Christians who believe that setting specific dates for the Second Coming contradicts biblical teachings. Critics have labeled Mhlakela a "false prophet," emphasizing the biblical assertion that only God knows the timing of these events.
Another evangelical pastor, Steve Kang, stated that the end times will only arrive after the gospel has been preached in all the world's languages, a milestone that has yet to be reached.