GETTY The Rapture what is September 23 end of world prophecy Nibiru Planet X Bible Christianity

September 23 is a key date in the calendars of several conspiracy theorists and Christians who claim it will mark the end of the world. Many Christians believe on this day, worthy humans will be lifted off their feet and taken into heaven by Jesus. But as the Rapture is supposed to start in just over a week, is there actually any credibility to this theory? What is the Rapture? Hundreds of Biblical theorists and doom mongers believe the Rapture is the second coming of Jesus Christ as prophesied in John 14:1-3.

The word 'rapture' itself does not actually appear in scripture, but it denotes the idea that Jesus will appear to lift up the dead and living worthy of returning to heaven with him. It is understood to take place in two parts, with a seven-year-long period of tribulation in between, during which the Antichrist will wreak havoc on the world. The Rapture theory however is relatively new and is loosely based on actual passages in the Bible. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the heavens will split open during the end of the world, with God stepping down to take those who are alive “into the clouds”. And 2 Peter 3:10, says: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”

GETTY The Rapture is believed to be the second coming of Jesus Christ

Will the world end on September 23? Though the Bible does not specify an exact date for the end of the world, theorists have spent decades trying to decode hidden messages within the pages of the holy book. One apocalyptic theory is the 12 Revelation Sign belief, which claims the tribulation period will begin on September 23, 2017. Many believe on that day, the astronomical alignment of Virgo, Leo, the Sun, Moon as well as Mars, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter will fulfil a prophecy set in the Book of Revelation 12:1-2. The specific Revelation passage describes a woman “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet” with a crown of 12 stars above her head, giving birth in the sky.

GETTY The Virgin Mary will appear in the sky with twelve stars around her head

This so-called woman of apocalypse is widely regarded to the be the Virgin Mary, who will wage war with a “great red dragon” upon Earth.

Nibiru and other stories about wayward planets are an Internet hoax. There is no factual basis for these claims NASA

But despite its popularity with doom mongers, the 12 Revelation Sign theory has been harshly criticised by astronomers and rationalists. Dr Danny Faulkner, a Christian astronomer, thinks the stars and planets will only loosely align on the day – not enough to call it a sign from the heavens. He said: “What sort of prophetic event is this sign supposed to usher in? "Clearly, most people promoting this have in mind the Lord’s return.

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“Some explicitly state this, but others, mindful of the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:36, are hesitant to make that claim, though their implication is clear enough. Dr Faulkner made it clear these types of apocalyptic prophecies have been made several times in the past. He said: “For instance, the four lunar eclipses during 2014 – 2015 caused many people to anticipate the Lord’s return then, but of course this did not happen.” Meanwhile Christian numerologist David Meade, who has dedicated his life to studying the Bible, believes a mythical planet known as Nibiru or Planet X will arrive in the skies on September 23 to fulfil the Book of Revelations.

GETTY Christian numerologist David Meade believes Planet X or Nibiru will arrive on September 23

Mr Meade believes Nibiru will then pass Earth in October, heralding the start of the Rapture. He said: “During this time frame, on September 23, 2017, the moon appears under the feet of the Constellation Virgo. “The Sun appears to precisely clothe Virgo… Jupiter is birthed on September 9, 2017. “The 12 stars at that date include the nine stars of Leo, and the three planetary alignments of Mercury, Venus and Mars – which combine to make a count of 12 stars on the head of Virgo.”

GETTY The arrival of Nibiru or Planet X will cause volcanoes on Earth to destroy the planet