(KTXL) – People in parts of the world began preparing for the rapture and the end of the world after a pastor predicted it would happen by Sept. 24. Now, some faith leaders are apologizing.
The rapture is a deeply held belief by some Christians that in the final days of the world, Jesus is coming back to rapture, or raise, all Christians (dead or alive) into Heaven. Although the Bible indicates no date for Jesus' return, a South African pastor, Joshua Mhlakela, said he had a vision of Jesus returning during Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday that goes from Sept. 22-24.
Some faith leaders are apologizing after a failed rapture "prophecy" went viral on social media. (Getty Images)
The prediction went viral, allegedly causing some believers to sell off their belongings, such as cars and homes, and prepare for the apocalyptic event. A portion of TikTok, which is now being referred to as #RaptureTok, shows some people getting ready for the rapture.
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Now that the 24th has passed and the rapture did not happen as predicted, pastors who promoted Mhlakela's prediction are asking for forgiveness.
"I'm here with all humility to apologize to everyone who has heard me promote brother Joshua's 23rd and 24th date of September rapture," said King Salemigwe, a pastor, on social media. "The date was not given to me. I only believed a man who claimed Jesus told him."
He added, "I want to admit that was erroneous."
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Another self-proclaimed prophet and evangelist, Tilahun Desalegn, issued an apology. Before the failed rapture prophecy, Desalegn shared a video of his vehicle being towed away, saying, "I won't need her beyond September, because I'm going home to where my father in heaven is."
On Thursday, Desalegn, who has more than 30,000 TikTok followers, faced reality.
"The rapture didn't happen. I am sorry to anyone I let down," Desalegn said. "I will never publicly talk about the rapture again."
Although several church leaders have publicly apologized for their claims, the originator of the viral false prophecy, Mhlakela, has not been active on social media since Wednesday, when he said, "Please keep waiting with us, he is coming. September 23rd, 24th. One of these two days, he is coming."
