Many waited for the rapture on September 23, but life carried on as usual. South African preacher Joshua Mhlakela had predicted that Jesus would return, and thousands followed his words with hope and fear.

Some people even quit jobs and sold homes, convinced the prophecy was true. “God told me the exact days,” Mhlakela said, pointing to September 23 and 24 during the Jewish New Year. His livestream showed him praying with followers, ready for the world to shake. But when midnight passed, nothing happened.

Viewers slowly left as the preacher tried to reassure them. “Please keep waiting on us, He is coming,” he urged. By 12:18 am, only his solemn face remained on screen. Psychotherapist Tina Chummun explained why people still believe such claims: “Uncertainty makes us cling to simple answers that promise safety and control.”

The answer this time was simple—nothing changed. The world did not end, and life moved forward. Do you think people will ever stop believing in doomsday predictions?