Followers of South African pastor apologize for false rapture prediction

There have been many examples of rapture predictions, but the words of Jesus regarding his second coming are clear.

“But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into,” he said in Matthew 24:43-44. “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Nevertheless, history is full of examples of false rapture predictions for which people later have to apologize. The latest is from South African Pastor Joshua Mhlakela, who claimed Jesus appeared to him and revealed the rapture would occur during the Jewish Feast of Trumpets last week. The prediction spread widely online and stirred anxiety among both non-Christians and Christians,

When the rapture failed to take place, Mhlakela appeared on a YouTube livestream and urged patience, saying “the Lord is on his way” and implying the dates may have been slightly off. Mhlakela since has deleted the video, according to Premier Christian News. Some of his supporters have issued apologies.

“I’m here with all humility to apologize to everyone,” said Nigerian pastor King Salemigwe, who had promoted the false prophecy. “I only believed a man who claimed Jesus told him. I know I’ve received a lot of attacks from people for claiming that I have seen the date of the rapture in the Bible, according to Haggai 2:18. I want to admit that that was erroneous.”

Salemigwe said he no longer will promote dates but will continue to preach about the second coming.

“As I apologize, I am glad that I preached repentance, and I know many have repented,” he said. “What I will say to those who have repented is, please stay growing in God, I hereby detach myself from dates henceforth and I look for his coming at any time.”

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Australian evangelist and pastor Tilahun Desalegn issued an apology on TikTok. “The rapture didn’t happen like I saw it would, and I promised that when it didn’t happen by the time that I said it would that I would upload a video of me publicly apologizing and repenting of my failed prediction,” he said.

-Lee Hartman | Metro Voice               Photo: Freepik AI