The Viral Claim
A South African preacher, Joshua Mhlakela, has claimed that Jesus told him the rapture will take place on September 23–24, 2025. His timeline runs like this: Daniel’s 70 weeks point to Jesus entering Jerusalem in 32 A.D. Hosea’s “two days” are interpreted as 2,000 years, bringing us to 2032. Subtract seven years for Daniel’s final “week,” and you arrive at 2025.
His audience asked him if this meant a pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib rapture. He answered that although we don’t know the hour, we do know the year, the month, and the two days.
At one point he even said Jesus Himself told him to do these calculations.
This is not just strained Bible reading. It’s a claim that competes with the plain teaching of Scripture.
Where the Confusion Lies
Part of the problem is that modern rapture language blurs biblical categories.
The word rapture comes from the Latin rapiemur in the Vulgate’s translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17: “we will be caught up.” Paul’s point is not that believers will vanish, but that at Christ’s return the dead will be raised and the living transformed. This is resurrection hope, not escape.
The Greek word parousia means “arrival” or “presence.” In Paul’s world, this was the word for the royal arrival of a king. Citizens would rush out to meet him and escort him back in. That is the picture Paul paints in 1 Thessalonians 4 — believers rise to welcome the returning King, not to depart permanently.
The apostles consistently preached resurrection. “The trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15:52). Jesus said, “I will raise them up on the last day” (John 6:40). Their focus was not on a secret event before tribulation, but on transformation at His appearing.
The language of Scripture is consistent. The confusion comes from modern systems, not apostolic teaching.
Joshua’s Claims vs. Scripture
Now let’s put his words side by side with the Word of God:
Joshua: “We know the year, the month, and the two days.”
Jesus: “No one knows the day or the hour” (Matt. 24:36).
Joshua: “Hosea’s two days mean 2,000 years to 2032.”
Apostles: Hosea 6 is poetry about God’s renewal, not a hidden timeline.
Joshua: “Jesus told me to do these calculations.”
Scripture: “If the word does not come to pass, the Lord has not spoken it” (Deut. 18:22).
Every step of his reasoning collapses under the light of Scripture.
What the Early Church Believed
Scripture is our authority. But it is worth noticing that the earliest Christians — those discipled by the apostles and their immediate successors — spoke the same way the New Testament does. They expected resurrection at Christ’s appearing, not a secret rapture.
Clement of Rome (c. 95 A.D.): “Let us expect, therefore, hour by hour, the kingdom of God in love and righteousness, since we know not the day of His appearing.” (1 Clement 34).
Justin Martyr (c. 160 A.D.): “We expect confidently that God will raise the dead, and that we shall live and reign with Him.” (Dialogue with Trypho 81).
Irenaeus (c. 180 A.D.): “The righteous shall reign on the earth, waxing stronger by the sight of the Lord; and through Him they shall become accustomed to partake in the glory of God the Father.” (Against Heresies 5.35.1).
These men are not authorities. Only Scripture is. But their testimony confirms that the earliest Christians read the Bible the same way: Christ will come, the dead will rise, and the righteous will reign with Him.
The Berean Way
The Bereans were called noble because they “searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). That is our responsibility when we hear claims like Joshua’s.
Joshua’s calendar cannot give you assurance. Christ’s resurrection can. Joshua’s prediction points to September 2025. Scripture points to a day no man knows. Joshua says a treaty and a timeline will prove his word. The apostles say resurrection at the appearing of Jesus will prove God’s Word.
Our Anchor
Paul called it “the blessed hope — the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). John wrote, “When He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).
That is our hope. Not a date. Not an escape. A Savior — and the resurrection He promised.
References
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:50–54; John 6:40; Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2; Matthew 24:36; Deuteronomy 18:22; Acts 17:11.
Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 34 (c. 95 A.D.). ANF, Vol. 1.
Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 81 (c. 160 A.D.). ANF, Vol. 1.
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.35.1 (c. 180 A.D.). ANF, Vol. 1.
Acts 17:11
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