Why the Rapture Didn’t Happen on September 23–25: What the Bible Really Says

From time to time, we hear of dates being set for the rapture or the second coming of Jesus Christ. People are told to gather in certain places, sometimes even on mountains, waiting for Jesus to appear. When those days pass and nothing happens, disappointment sets in. Some even begin to question whether the promise of His coming is real at all.

But this, I believe, is one of the schemes of the enemy. The devil wants as many people as possible to doubt the truth of God’s Word so that they may fall away. If someone placed all their faith in a pastor’s prediction instead of God’s Word, they may become discouraged when it doesn’t come to pass. Yet Scripture warns us against this very deception.

Jesus Himself said:

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Matthew 24:23–27, NIV

We also see in Scripture how even faithful servants of God can sometimes miss it. The prophet Nathan once told King David to go ahead and build the temple. But later, after God revealed His true will, Nathan returned and corrected himself, telling David that it would be Solomon who would build the temple (2 Samuel 7:1–13). This reminds us that sometimes people can confuse their own thoughts or desires for the voice of God.

That’s why we’ve seen, even recently, people coming out to apologise for giving predictions, such as those who claimed September 23-25 would be the day of the rapture. And while humility in admitting error is good, it still shows us the danger of relying on human voices over the unchanging Word of God. When a prediction fails, it is not the Word of God that has failed. Rather, it is human error.

So what should we do when such things happen?

1. Go back to the Bible. Like the Bereans, test everything you hear against Scripture.

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Acts 17:11

2. Remember how Jesus said He will come. He will come suddenly, like a thief in the night. There will be no announcement, no secret location, no human prediction that can pinpoint the day or the hour.

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:36

For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2

3. Walk by faith, not by predictions. Instead of spending energy studying numbers, dates, and speculations, we are called to walk by faith as God intended. The time spent chasing predictions is better used in knowing God personally and growing in the truth of His Word.

For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

4. Live ready. The right response is not fear, discouragement, or chasing predictions, but living in a way that pleases the Lord daily.

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 24:44, NIV

In conclusion, don’t let failed predictions discourage you. Don’t let them make you doubt the truth of God’s promises. Jesus is coming back, this is certain. The question is not when, but whether we are ready.

So keep watch, walk by faith, and let your life reflect His will. As Paul wrote:

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

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