(NewsNation) — Some creators on social media are proclaiming that the rapture is coming Tuesday, explaining in their videos how they are preparing for the apocalyptic event.
TikTok videos on what’s been termed #RaptureTok are showing people allegedly selling items such as cars or homes and preparing notes or setting their phone lock screens with images to explain to people what happened, and why they are gone.
But this isn’t the first time the rapture has been predicted.
What is the rapture?
The rapture is a belief in some forms of Christianity that, as part of the end times, all Christians, dead or alive, will be raised into heaven.
While the belief is strongly held among American evangelical Christians and Christian fundamentalists, the term “rapture” is not actually in the Bible. Instead, it was developed by a theologian named John Nelson Darby in the 1800s.
There are differing views on exactly when the rapture will occur in the end times. Some believe the rapture will occur at the same time as the second coming of Jesus Christ. Others view the two as separate, distinct events, with the rapture kicking off a period of tribulation prior to the second coming.
Views of the rapture and end times have also been influenced by Christian media, including the fictional “Left Behind” series in the 1990s.
Why do people think the rapture is happening this week?
The current rapture prediction comes from a South African pastor named Joshua Mhlakela, who says he had a vision of Jesus returning on Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish holiday begins on Sept. 22 and goes through the 24th.
Believers on social media have also spoken of the ceremonial blowing of the shofar in Israel, something that happens each year during the holiday. Others have posted videos of their own confirmation or visions in videos.
Has the rapture been predicted before?
While many people cite a verse from Matthew stating that no one knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return, this has not stopped people from predicting the rapture or second coming throughout history.
Recent predictions included claims that the rapture would come on Sept. 6, 1994, according to radio evangelist Harold Camping. When it failed to materialize, he then changed his prediction to May 21, 2011, and then again to Oct. 21, 2011.
Numerologist David Meade predicted the rapture in 2017, and other predicted dates include 2000, inspired by the “Left Behind” book series, and 2012, based on apocalyptic beliefs connected to the Mayan calendar.
What happens if the rapture doesn’t occur?
As in the past, those predicting the rapture may provide new dates supported by additional prophecies or justification for why they were incorrect.
While some people may follow the revised predictions or offer justification, others may experience psychological distress when the rapture fails to happen.
In addition to the prediction of the rapture, social media has also seen videos from people who have left their faith after experiencing rapture anxiety, a form of religious trauma.