TikTokers 'predicting end of the world' today and believe the rapture is coming

The Rapture is apparently happening today or tomorrow, according to a TikTok trend (stock image) (Image: Getty)

A peculiar TikTok trend has people convinced the end of the world will come today (September 23).

It could also happen tomorrow, with a South African preacher claiming to have seen Jesus Christ in a vision suggesting there may be a slight overlap with Wednesday, September 24.

His prediction is just one of the many people on social media claiming the Rapture is upon us and that nobody is safe from the Day of Judgement. People believe the Rapture will involve faithful Christians, both living and dead, being swept up in the sky with Jesus Christ.

Those who believe it is coming are expecting it in the next 24 hours, and some have taken it as far as giving things away to prepare themselves accordingly by selling their homes, cars and posessions.

While some on TikTok were left mocking those who had fallen for the claims of Rapture, others were concerned that "genuinely nice people" were falling for what could be as big a hoax as the Mayan Calendar end date.

In an interview with CettwinzTV, Joshua Mhlakela said: "The Rapture is upon us, whether you are ready or not." It may not be exactly on September 23, as they said it could also occur on September 24.

The South African pastor also claims he saw a vision of Jesus returning to the world on Rosh Hashanah. But it's been taken much further than that as some on TikTok believe there'll be a Rapture today or tomorrow.

Author Ann Russell shared a video to the app commenting on the Rapture, suggesting it's "sad" that many nice people are falling for the end of the world claim.

She said: "The sad thing about this Rapture nonsense is that there are some genuinely nice people. I saw a little clip on TikTok earlier where some lovely woman has left notes for people who are left behind so that they know what to do with the food.

"There are some really sweet people who have been caught up in this psychosis."

One such example was from an account called @christwillreturn, an account made to share videos from the RaptureTok trend.

One person claimed to have had "a dream" regarding the Rapture, recording themselves crying as they explained the only way to ascend to heaven is to repent in time for the big day.

The woman in the video appeared genuinely moved by the apparent Rapture, and was concerned her best friend would be left behind. She said: "I don't want anyone to be left behind and maybe I'm not telling this right but it was so emotional, this dream it was so real.

"I just feel that was a confirmation of what I've been praying about the night before that when the bad stuff comes down we're gonna be going up. I mean the reason why I said I don't want to be left behind, that has to do with Rapture."

Commenters were unconcerned by the day of reckoning. One asked: "Will this affect Greggs' opening times?"