Why people are convinced the world’s going to end tomorrow

Remember back in 2012 when everyone collectively convinced themselves the world was ending?

Well, it looks like that's happening again.

This time, though, a Christian prophecy has led to masses of people around the globe believing that tomorrow (23 September) will be the end of life as we know it.

It's all stemmed from a South African pastor called Joshua Mhlakela, who's convinced that God will be coming to ‘rescue the Christians out of the world’ on 23 and 24 September.

Speaking on YouTube, he prophesied that the day the world ends will coincide with Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Feast of Trumpets.

This is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the beginning of the Jewish new year - and for Christians, it's a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus Christ's return.

Mhlakela said that God’s judgement would leave the world ‘unrecognisable’ and the rapture would happen with ‘such power’ that it would cause the Earth to ‘shake’. Doesn't sound scary at all.

It's happening again - people are convinced the world is about to end (YouTube/ CENTTWINZ TV)

The pastor said in an interview with Innocent & Millicent Cent: "The rapture is upon us, whether you are ready or not. I saw Jesus sitting on his throne, and I could hear him very loud and clear saying, ‘I am coming soon'."

Of course, like it does with anything, the internet has picked up this idea and run with it.

The wild prophecy has also prompted 'RaptureTok,' sending religious hysteria around social media, with some believers even making videos to request that their dogs come with them to heaven.

Others have reportedly gone as far as quitting their jobs and selling off all of their belongings, as they prepare for the big day.

One TikToker, @alpharoyce_, said in a viral video: "As many of you know, the Rapture's on Tuesday. I've given away all my earthly possessions to the heathens that I know will not be coming with us, the chosen ones."

She added: "I've already transferred the deed to my house. I just need to give this car away."

Meanwhile, some social media users have jumped on the sweeping theory simply to poke fun at it and joked about the 'end of the world'.

According to Metro, in the last ten years alone, religious figures have warned that The Rapture would come in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 - so it's safe to say the odds are not looking likely.

The theory has taken the internet by storm, much like a similar one did in 2012 (Getty Stock Image)

But what exactly is supposed to happen in 'the Rapture?'

The idea of the 'Rapture' or 'second coming of Jesus Christ' stems from the Bible - specifically 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."

Essentially, it's saying that Christians who are already dead will rise, followed by those still alive, who will then be 'caught up together' to meet God in the clouds.