Christians explain why end of the world won't come despite people selling homes and cars

You may have heard of the impending doom that many people think will befall them on Tuesday, 23 September, but how true is it?

'The Rapture' is upon us, apparently, if you believe the Christian prophecies which have done the rounds in the past few days.

A South African Pastor sparked panic in the community after claiming that God will be coming to 'rescue the Christians out of the world' this week, more specifically 23 and 24 September.

He spoke on YouTube of the claims, saying that this is the fateful day for followers of God, while coincidentally falling on the same day as Rosh Hashanah, or the Feast of Trumpets.

But what does the Rapture actually entail?

A lot of social media users have been left confused by it all, as many have claimed to have sold their cars and quit their jobs ahead of the fated date - for some reason.

It's said that Christians will ascend into the clouds, apparently (Getty Stock Image)

Why do people think the world is ending?

The Rapture is meant to signify the second coming of Christ, with the preacher explaining that God's judgement would leave the world 'unrecognisable', adding that with 'such power' the world may even 'shake', 'whether you are ready or not'.

In Thessalonians 4:13-17, it reads: "For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."

According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, this is the first of two phases signalling the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Followers of God are said to be given eternal bodies resembling Jesus, as people have recited 1 John 3:2, which says: “We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

It's also said that non-believers will not believe in this until they notice chunks of the population missing.

The world may end as we know it, according to the prophecy (Getty Stock Image)

What are people doing to prepare for the end of the world?

One user has claimed she is expecting the Rapture to come shortly, saying in a viral clip: “She’s got to go. I won’t need her beyond September. I’m going home, to where my father in heaven is.

"I've given away all my earthly possessions to the heathens that I know will not be coming with us, the chosen ones."

While many aren't sure if she's poking fun at the situation or being serious, she even claimed: "I've already transferred the deed to my house. I just need to give this car away," adding that it's 'not too late' for others to join her.

Another TikToker named Tilahun Desalegn said that he'd already sold his five-year-old car, claiming: “She’s got to go. I won’t need her beyond September. I’m going home, to where my father in heaven is.”

Some saw the funnier side, with comedian Kevin Fredericks making the valid point: “They are selling their cars, clothes, some people are making post-rapture kits for the people who are left behind. What time zone is it happening in? Because the whole thing about the rapture that I was taught was that no man knows the date or the hour…

“There are 24 time zones on Earth, 38 if you include the ones that have half-hour times. No man knows how you all know.”

Christians don't think we're doomed just yet (Getty Stock Photo)

What does it say about it in religious texts?

People on r/Christianity have pointed out the Biblical inaccuracies and historical failures to do with previous predictions in decades past, even calling people who claim to know the date of Judgment Day as a 'false prophet'.

One Redditor even recalled texts from the Bible proving that the end is not imminent, writing of the Rapture: "Matthew 24:36 - 'But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.'

Matthew 24:11 even states: "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."

The user added: "These folks aren't always obvious - they come with fancy charts, YouTube breakdowns, and 'biblical' math pointing to dates. This September thing? It's classic: mixing astrology, numerology, and cherry-picked verses. We've seen it before (Y2K, 2012, etc.). "

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only' (Matthew 24:36)," they added, claiming that 'If Jesus Himself didn't claim to know during His time on earth, who are we to slap a date on the calendar?'

The user further emphasised: "Keep the Faith, Don't Rush God's Plan, Focus on Jesus Paul nailed it in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.' God's plan rolls out perfectly (Galatians 4:4)."

They concluded: "We can't speed it up with predictions - just occupy till He comes (Luke 19:13). Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Live holy, watch expectantly, but don't pin hopes on a date."

Maybe we shouldn't be so worried after all. If at all.