What in the World If you’re listening to this, the Rapture didn’t happen
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Sep 26, 2025 Makuochi Okafor, a BBC reporter, dives into the recent social media frenzy surrounding Rapture predictions, shedding light on a viral claim by a South African preacher. He discusses the Rapture’s contested meaning among Christians and its cultural impact across Africa and the US. Personal stories emerge, including Hannah's fear of being left behind. Makuochi explains how doomsday beliefs often offer comfort, while addressing the emotional fallout after failed predictions. He also highlights the lack of direct biblical references to the Rapture.
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Rapture Is A Debated Christian Idea
- The Rapture is a long-standing belief in some Christian circles where followers vanish to meet Jesus while others remain on Earth.
- Makuochi Okafor emphasizes the idea is debated and not accepted by all Christians.
Childhood Memory Of 'Rapture' Alarms
- Makuochi Okafor recalls growing up near a station and running into his parents' room thinking they might have been raptured when alarms sounded.
- The story shows how the Rapture idea permeated everyday family life where he grew up.
Viral Vision Drove Global Rapture Buzz
- A viral South African preacher's video predicting late-September Rapture spread rapidly across TikTok to Africa and the US.
- Makuochi notes social media turned one preacher's vision into an international online movement.