South African Pastor’s Failed Rapture Prophecy Leaves Believers Disappointed Yet Hoping For Second Day Fulfillment [VIDEO]

 

A South African man has apologized to his followers after promoting a prophecy that claimed the rapture would take place on September 23 and 24, 2025. The man, whose online posts drew attention to the prophecy of Pastor Joshua Mhlakela, admitted he had not received any vision himself but had only repeated the claims made by the pastor. He explained that his belief was based entirely on Mhlakela’s bold announcement that Jesus had revealed the exact day of the world changing event.

Many people across South Africa were captivated by the prophecy and some took dramatic steps in anticipation. Reports revealed that hundreds of individuals gathered in wooded areas on Tuesday, raising their hands to the skies and praying fervently as they waited for what they believed would be their ascension. Families came with blankets, children, and food supplies, treating the event as both a watch night and a spiritual gathering. The mood was described as intense but expectant, with believers constantly scanning the skies for any sign that the promise was unfolding.

Hours passed without a single unusual occurrence, and as the evening faded, so too did the hope of the crowd. By late night, disappointment settled over the gathering, and slowly people began to leave the woods. Witnesses described the dispersal as quiet, with a sense of confusion replacing the earlier atmosphere of conviction. Many attendees avoided speaking to reporters, choosing instead to return home with unanswered questions and an uneasy sense of doubt.

Pastor Joshua Mhlakela, whose prophecy inspired the gathering, addressed his congregation again after the rapture failed to occur on September 23. Far from admitting error, he urged his followers to remain steadfast. According to him, the prophecy still stood and would be fulfilled. He told them that if the event did not happen on the first date, it would occur on September 24 instead. The reason given was the difference in time zones across the world, suggesting that the timing of the rapture was not confined to South Africa’s local clock.

This explanation did little to satisfy critics who had long questioned the pastor’s predictions. Religious scholars and church leaders in the region emphasized that setting dates for spiritual events has historically led to disappointment and disillusionment. They pointed to the fact that many Christian traditions teach that no one knows the day or hour of the rapture, and therefore bold claims of certainty should always be treated with caution. Some expressed concern that desperate followers could lose faith altogether when prophecies of this kind collapse.

The man who shared Mhlakela’s prophecy online also reflected on the fallout. His apology centered on acknowledging that he had misled people by promoting the prophecy without verifying it. He clarified that while he genuinely believed what he heard, he now recognized that spreading it widely contributed to raising false expectations. His statement attempted to show humility, but reactions on social media were divided. Some accepted his apology, while others blamed him for fueling fear and excitement that ended in collective disappointment.

Observers have noted that prophecies about specific rapture dates are not new in South Africa or globally. Throughout history, predictions of exact times for apocalyptic events have repeatedly drawn attention, only to collapse when the dates pass uneventfully. The cycle often leaves some followers disillusioned, while others double down in their faith, convinced that their leader’s message was only slightly miscalculated. Pastor Mhlakela’s insistence that the rapture remains imminent falls into this pattern, where failure to see prophecy fulfilled is explained as a timing issue rather than a complete error.

The coming days will likely reveal whether his congregation continues to support him or begins to question his authority. Religious commentators argue that the resilience of such leaders often depends on how successfully they reframe failure and keep their followers hopeful. Mhlakela’s emphasis on the possibility of September 24 as the true date suggests he intends to maintain control of the narrative until the final hours have passed.

Whether the rapture arrives or not, the events of this week highlight the powerful influence charismatic figures can wield when they claim to speak on behalf of divine authority. They also underscore the vulnerability of communities yearning for spiritual certainty in uncertain times. As September 24 approaches, eyes remain fixed on the pastor and his message, even as doubt spreads more quietly among those who already feel the sting of disappointment. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lindaikejiblog (@lindaikejiblogofficial)