After Sept. 23 and 24 came and went without the rapture that he had predicted, South African Pastor Joshua Mhlakela took a few days to regroup. Then he doubled down, telling his followers to simply add 13 days to account for the Julian calendar. In case you’re keeping track, the new dates are Oct. 6 and 7 (i.e., today).
Despite the jokes being made at Mhlakela’s expense, his rapture predictions and revisions are no laughing matter, according to Christian apologist Mike Winger. Not only did some people sell all their possessions because of the date-setting, but the false prophet also represents “the makings of a cult,” Winger said.
RELATED: If You’re Reading This, You Might Have Missed the Rapture (According to TikTok)
On social media and on his “Bible Thinker” YouTube channel, Winger—an ordained pastor—is warning about Mhlakela’s “demonic deception.” He’s also urging Christians to learn from this experience so they can better spot future lies.
Other faith leaders are urging an end to rapture predictions too. Evangelist Greg Stier wrote, “Dear Rapture Date-Guessers, Please stop. Signed, Everyone.”
Christian Apologist Mike Winger Cites Spiritual Deception
In a Sept. 27 YouTube video, Christian apologist Mike Winger detailed the “actual insanity” of Joshua Mhlakela’s rapture revisionism. Throughout the show, Winger played clips of the South African man’s meandering insistence that his original revelation wasn’t wrong.
On the Sept. 26 episode of CentTwinz TV, Mhlakela answered questions about the first set of missed dates—and whether he’s sorry for upending followers’ lives. He insisted that God, who comes to him in dreams, sent him as “a vessel” to point people to Jesus.
Mhlakela also said he’s the “last arrow” in God’s quiver and won’t apologize, because his message isn’t wrong. “The 7th and 8th of October is the real Feast of the Trumpets,” he said of the rescheduled rapture. “I’m a billion percent sure.”
A friend reportedly informed Mhlakela about the calendar-version oversight. But as Winger noted, Jewish people use the Hebrew calendar, not the Gregorian or Julian calendars. Plus, Mhlakela had previously described the rapture as being “14 days away…so there’s no wiggle room here,” Winger said.
The “biggest red flag,” Winger said, is how Mhlakela misuses Bible passages. Referring to 2 Peter 2:17, Winger noted, “Let me say what Peter would say: ‘For whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.’ That’s how Peter would say it. [Mhlakela is] spiritually lying and deceiving people. And it’s irrefutable.”
RELATED: Mike Winger Says Benny Hinn Is Not a Christian During Interview With Charisma
Despite the jokes being made at Joshua Mhlakela’s expense, his rapture predictions and revisions are no laughing matter, according to Christian apologist Mike Winger.Click to Post
