Predictions vs. Possibilities

In September and October, 2025, Pastor Joshua Mhlakela, not only once, but thrice predicted the rapture of The Lord’s 3rd age saints, first, ‘on the 23rd and 24th of September 2025’, and later, ‘on October 6th and 7th’. While of that day, Jesus said, ‘But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only’, He spoke in the (then) present tense. Over 2 thousand years hence, who knows ‘who knows’ of that day by now?! Clearly, this pastor didn’t, nor has any others who dared to predict dates in the past.

This post is not about this pastor, or his predictions. Rather, it’s about what is clearly available for all of us, saints and sinners alike, to study and learn—not about specific dates, but about relevant repetitive patterns, and precursor signs of/about that approaching date, and the subsequent age transition. Moreover, in 1 Corinthians 15:52, Paul informed us that the next ‘first’ rapture event, would occur ‘in the twinkling of an eye’, not stretched over a 2-day period. (Keep in mind that some references to ‘one’ and ‘first’ in The Bible, do not mean a numerical reference. Good examples are the concept of ‘first fruits’ and ‘first resurrection and rapture’.)

 

A Relevant Repetitive Pattern

The Bible is chock full of repetitive strategic patterns and some shocking reversals of those patterns. This includes many references to ‘forty’:

 √ ~159 references in total (NKJV), of which 22 (13.8%) are to 40 days, and 40 days and nights. 

 √  The majority (79 or 49.7%) of these references were during the 515 years (from the exodus, to the end of King Solomon’s reign), when The Lord, initially iteratively tested the nation of ancient Israel under significantly different conditions, and later sustainably established the monarchy with 40 year of each of Israel’s first 3 kings.

√ The New Testament refers to 40 ~18 times (11.3%), with a focus on Jesus Christ and the testing and establishment of the early Church.

√ The first significant reference to 40 was The Lord’s prediction of the number of days He would cause it to rain during the global flood. 

√ The final reference to 40 days is about the time Jesus spent with His followers after His second ascension to Heaven. (Yes, there were two, not just one post-resurrection ascension. See: John 20:17 and Acts. 1:3.)

 

A Relevant Repetitive Number 

 

The number, 42 seems to always signify the divinely ordained apex of a major historical or prophetic phase, signifying finality, divine measurement, judgment or Kingdom advent. Thus, it can be regarded as The Bible's ultimate ‘Chronometer of Completion and Climax’. Examples include:

 

√ The full measure of ancient Israel’s covenant history—its journey, from bondage in Egypt, to covenant blessing in Canaan, signified by the 42 camp stops the young nation had during its 40 years in the wilderness. (Exodus 14:2 and Numbers 33)

√ The terminal point of The Messianic lineage—42 generations from Abraham-to-Christ; and 

√ The measured apex and limit of satanic power—42 months of the anti-Christ’s pre-apocalypse rule, and 42 months of the apocalypse judgments thereafter. (See: anti-Christ (Series))

 

Their Strategic Integration

 

Rather than spending time and energy catalyzing people across the world to fixate on specific dates of Heaven’s next, age-ending/transition resurrection/rapture event, here is an alternative, more strategic perspective to consider, and hopefully reflect in your lifestyle and thought process:

 

1. Possibly, 40 days after Heaven’s next resurrection/rapture event (i.e., of The Lord’s bona fide, faithful—i.e., not lukewarm, lackadaisical, ‘secret agent’ or apostate, 3rd-age saints), the final anti-Christ man might manifest to the world that will be horribly shocked by that incredibly AWESOME event. 

 

Imagine the sheer shock and headlines!

 

2. If so, 42 months later, the predicted apocalypse might begin, hurling on to the world the predicted 7 ‘trumpet’ and 7 ‘bowl’ judgments outlined in Revelation 8-to-16—the absolute worst judgments Earth and its peoples will have ever experienced, likely leaving in its wake, The Worst of the Worst. They will:

 

√ Likely kill far more people on our over-populated planet than were killed in the global flood, when Earth was relatively young, with a much smaller population, and

√ Stretch out their torments over much longer period than the short, intense global flood, because The Lord’s judgments will last far longer than the flood! 

 

Imagine the gridlock and food lines!

 

3. If so, 42 months later, Armageddon will erupt!

 

Imagine the war-talk and draft lines!

 

4. Possibly, 40 days later, The Millennial Reign age might begin. 

 

Imagine The Monarch Who’ll spellbind!

 

Readers,

Estimate the number of days, months, or years

from TODAY, to see what’s possible!

~0~

With His dates, don’t be concerned!

His patterns, try to discern.