Faith or Delusion? Lessons from Failed Rapture Predictions
“I’m a billion per cent sure…. the rapture will occur on the 23rd and 24th of September 2025,” said Joshua Mhlakela, also known as “Brother Joshua.” The only problem was that those dates had already passed, and we were all still here. (Of course, there’s the slight possibility that we were all just “left behind,” but all the evidence tells us that nothing out of the ordinary happened on those dates). Brother Joshua did not seem bothered at all; he kept insisting that Jesus had appeared to him and given him the dates of the rapture. The missing detail was that Jesus reportedly used the Julian calendar, and those September dates actually correspond with October 7th and 8th. (As the new dates spread around the internet, October 6th and 7th were more commonly quoted, but in the grand scheme of things, that’s a minor detail).
When the October 6-8 dates passed uneventfully, the goalpost shifted again. Now, the Enoch calendar was what we were supposed to go by, and the new “accurate” dates were October 16th and 17th.
As I write, we are in the last week of October – and there’s been no rapture yet.
Despite all these failed predictions, there are people who still claim to stand with Joshua, insisting that Jesus really spoke to him and giving excuses for why the prophecies failed.
In one YouTube video, a man can be heard saying that the problem may have just been that Joshua misinterpreted what he heard, but he insists that Joshua was not wrong. This gentleman went to great lengths to explain that the rapture isn’t necessarily an instantaneous event and insisted that God did appear on September 23rd.
One might think that people would accept reality, apologize for being wrong and then move on with their lives on earth. While there were some apology videos, it is concerning to note that at least one person reported getting death threats after posting an apology video. Another man in Australia apologized after the September dates passed and said he would no longer talk about the rapture. He sounded very sincere in the video, for which he likely earned a lot of respect from his followers. The only problem is that when the October dates were announced, he changed his mind and got back on the “rapture train” and did exactly what he had said he wouldn’t do.
Many people have called Brother Joshua a false prophet, and understandably so. And while his predictions were clearly false, I wouldn’t be so quick to label him a “false prophet.” I can’t read his mind, so I can only speculate about what he might be thinking. I also can’t diagnose him since he isn’t my patient and I haven’t evaluated him, but I believe this is an opportunity to consider other options. He seems genuinely convinced of what he says, and continues to insist on those beliefs, even when confronted with evidence to the contrary. That is basically the definition of a delusional disorder. Brother Joshua could very well be suffering from a mental illness and if that is the case, I don’t think it’s fair to call him a false prophet (even if he is spreading false information).
Delusional Disorder
A person with delusional disorder holds a fixed, false belief despite evidence to the contrary.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), delusional disorder is a psychotic disorder characterized by the presence of one or more delusions lasting at least one month. Usually, the person affected appears to function normally otherwise. Although delusions frequently occur as a component of various psychiatric disorders, the term “delusional disorder” is typically used when delusions are the most prominent symptom.
Of note, a religious or cultural belief that is shared by other members of a person’s community is not classified as a delusion.
Based on this definition, belief in the rapture itself would not be considered a delusion, since this is a belief that is shared by many Christians. (“Rapture theology” – the belief that Christians will be lifted into the sky and taken to heaven while those left behind will suffer years of tribulation – has been debunked by even some of the most conservative theologians, but that is a separate discussion).
When people start insisting that the rapture will occur on a specific date and keep insisting that they are right, even when the date has passed, that clearly qualifies as a delusion.
Cognitive Dissonance
The mental discomfort experienced when a person’s reality doesn’t align with their beliefs is a form of cognitive dissonance. It’s often easier to deny harsh realities than admit that they were wrong, so people will sometimes “double down” on these beliefs, even when the truth is staring them in the face.
Despite the failed prophecies, several people were still posting YouTube videos in which they stated that they were standing in solidarity with Brother Joshua. One YouTube channel even posted a series of music videos with songs about how, despite the fact that there was “no rapture yet,” “millions were saved,” and “we won’t lose faith.”
What did Jesus say?
Aside from the fact that Jesus said “no one knows the day or the hour” of his return, he also gave instructions on how we should spend our time on earth.
My advice to Joshua and his followers? Instead of obsessing about Jesus’ appearing in the clouds to take you away from this world, why not focus on what you are meant to be doing during this one life that you have? If you think this advice isn’t “spiritual” enough, let’s look at the actual words of Jesus.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
- Matthew 25: 35-40 (NIV)
Jesus said we should show our commitment to him by loving and caring for the needy, not by obsessing about when he will return to snatch us away. While obsessing about how you will escape from this earth, you just might be missing Jesus, as ironic as that may sound.
And for the rest of us, let’s remember that people who are obsessed with leaving the world just might be in need of professional help.
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