Introduction: Another Date, Another Disappointment
On September 23rd, 2025, many Christians around the world braced themselves for what some false prophets and sensational teachers had proclaimed: the Rapture of the Church. Social media platforms pulsed with anticipation, YouTube channels counted down the hours, and millions of anxious believers waited for the trumpet to sound.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on September 23rd, 2023, anticipation filled the air, yet nothing extraordinary occurred. Contrary to the fervent predictions, no believers vanished into thin air, no celestial trumpet announced the end times, and no divine signs heralded the return of Christ in the heavens. The Church had to deal with another round of disappointment and confusion. Those skeptical jumped at the chance to scoff, using these unfulfilled prophecies to argue that Christianity is just myths and fantasies, not based on truth. The events left many within the Church grappling with doubt and questioning the legitimacy of their beliefs in the face of such ridicule.
Why does this cycle keep repeating? Why do rapture predictions come and go, yet the rapture prophecies remain unfulfilled? The answer lies not in the failure of Scripture but in men’s inability to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
To provide clarity, Christianity News Daily turns to the teaching of Evangelist Peter Gee, overseer of Jesus Christ Only TV and host of The World of Eschatology Podcast. In a two-hour eschatological study, first recorded in September 2022 and streaming on Jesus Christ Only TV and YouTube, Gee explains the biblical differences between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming of Christ. Most importantly, he lays out the mid-tribulation timeline that is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and the prophets.
Why Predictions Keep Failing
The Bible clearly warns against setting dates for Christ’s return:
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” — Matthew 24:36, NKJV
And yet, year after year, predictions arise—tied to blood moons, astronomical events, numerology, or hidden Bible codes. Each one fails because they ignore the sequence of biblical prophecy.
Evangelist Gee identifies the root problem: confusing the prophetic events. Many Christians conflate the Rapture with the Second Coming, or assume the Day of the Lord is the same as the Rapture. Without proper distinction, false teachers twist current events into sensational timelines.
But the Bible provides a clear, step-by-step prophetic framework. By following it, believers can know the season of the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 5:4), even if the exact day and hour remain hidden in the Father’s authority.
Evangelist Peter Gee’s Prophetic Timeline
1. The Beginning of Sorrows (Matthew 24:4–8)
Jesus Himself described the age in which we now live as “the beginning of sorrows.” Wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and false Christs are signs that mark this present time. These are not yet the Tribulation but serve as precursors to it.
Evangelist Gee emphasizes that believers today are living squarely within this stage. The unrest in the nations, moral decay, and global shaking are consistent with Jesus’ words. But the countdown to the final seven years—the Tribulation—has not yet begun.
2. The Seven-Year Tribulation Begins (Daniel 9:27)
The prophetic clock for the final seven years will start when the Antichrist confirms a peace covenant with Israel and the Gentiles. This seven-year treaty is the linchpin of biblical prophecy. Until this event takes place, the Tribulation has not officially begun.
The date of September 23rd, 2025, cannot be considered a legitimate marker for the Rapture, primarily because there has been no peace covenant signed between Israel and its adversaries, which is a crucial element outlined in biblical prophecy. Although global tensions are rising and political leaders are discussing potential agreements, the absence of this specific covenant means that we have not yet reached the prophetic fulfillment required as a precursor to the Rapture. According to the Bible, certain events must occur before this, but they haven’t.
3. The First 3½ Years: The Church Remains
For the first half of the seven years, the Church will still be present on earth. Life may seem relatively stable as the Antichrist rises, presenting himself with political cunning as a man of peace. But it is a false peace that prepares the way for global deception.
During this period, believers must remain steadfast, enduring persecution and deception while holding fast to the gospel. According to Gee, Christians shouldn’t anticipate an escape before this, because the pre-tribulation Rapture view isn’t Biblical.
4. The Midpoint: The Abomination of Desolation
Halfway through the seven years, the Antichrist will break the covenant and commit the Abomination of Desolation—entering the rebuilt Third Temple in Jerusalem and declaring himself to be God (Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).
This act marks the transition point. It signals to believers that the Rapture is imminent—any day, any hour. Evangelist Gee explains that while we will not know the specific day or hour, Scripture is explicit that we will see the season. We are not in darkness, that this day should overtake us like a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5).
5. The Rapture (Mid-Tribulation)
Then, God will rapture believers to meet Christ in the air and then to heaven.
“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
This passage signifies the Church’s rescue just before divine wrath descends upon the world. Evangelist Gee emphasizes a pivotal point: the Rapture does not occur before the Tribulation, but rather amidst it, intricately tied to the Abomination of Desolation.
6. The Last 3½ Years: The Time of Jacob’s Trouble
Following the Rapture, God will pour out His Wrath upon the world in what Jeremiah calls “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7).
This period, the second half of the Tribulation, will unleash the seven trumpet judgments and the seven bowl judgments described in Revelation. It will be a time of unparalleled suffering, darkness, and chaos as God judges the nations and prepares the way for Christ’s Second return, but the Holy Spirit and the Church won’t be around to witness the Wrath of God.
7. The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord
At the climax of the judgments comes what Scripture calls “the great and terrible Day of the Lord.” The Bible describes this unique event as though it were two days combined into one, a moment known only to God Himself.
This day marks the final outpouring of wrath and the transition to the visible return of Christ. Evangelist Gee emphasizes that this is distinct from both the Rapture and the Second Coming.
8. The Second Coming of Christ
After the Day of the Lord, Jesus Christ will descend in glory with His saints:
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” — Revelation 19:11
With His raptured Church, Christ will return to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4), defeat the Antichrist and his armies, and establish His reign.
9. The Millennial Reign of Christ
Jesus will then rule the nations with a rod of iron for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–6). The saints will reign with Him in glorified bodies. At the conclusion of this Millennium, Christ will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father, fulfilling 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.
Why September 23rd, 2025, Was Never the Date
With this biblical sequence in mind, it becomes clear why the Rapture could not have occurred on September 23rd, 2025. The required markers—most notably the peace covenant with Israel and the Abomination of Desolation—have not yet taken place.
To claim otherwise is to sow confusion among believers. Evangelist Gee warns that these false predictions do more harm than good, weakening faith and giving the world reason to mock. Instead of chasing dates, the Church must watch for the actual signs given by Jesus and the apostles.
A Call to Watchfulness, Not Fear
Evangelist Gee’s teachings are designed not to instill fear but to empower and equip believers with knowledge and understanding. He stresses that Christians are not in spiritual darkness about world events and their faith. Instead, we are called to be vigilant, patiently enduring trials and challenges while being aware of the signs and seasons that show the unfolding of divine plans. Through his messages, he encourages followers to develop a discernible awareness of spiritual truths, fostering a sense of readiness to face what lies ahead.
- Matthew 24:44 — “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4 — “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”
- Titus 2:13 — “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Our hope is not in dates but in Christ Himself.
Conclusion: Anchored in Prophetic Truth
The Rapture did not happen on September 23rd, 2025, because the Bible never pointed to that date. The prophetic sequence has not yet unfolded. But far from weakening our hope, this truth strengthens it.
As Evangelist Peter Gee teaches, the Church must understand the difference between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming. We must recognize the Beginning of Sorrows we live in now, prepare for the first half of the Tribulation, and watch for the signs of the Abomination of Desolation. Only then will we know that the Rapture can occur at any moment and at any hour.
Until that time, our calling is clear: preach the gospel, make disciples, and live in readiness.
To watch the entire two-hour sermon, click here, and also forward the message to others so that they may also hear and learn to eliminate confusion about the date setting of the rapture.
The post The Rapture Did Not Happen as Predicted on September 23rd and Here Is Why. first appeared on Christianity News Daily.
