End of the World in 2026: Prophecies and Scientific Forecasts

In October and November 2026, the world faces two different 'end of the world' scenarios. The first is tied to religious prophecies by a South African pastor, while the second stems from an outdated mathematical model of overpopulation.

Judgment Day Prophecies

Joshua Mhlakela, a pastor from South Africa, claimed to have received a warning from God and Jesus Christ about the end of the world on October 12–13, 2026. In September 2025, he had already predicted an apocalypse, prompting his followers to sell their property and quit their jobs.

When the previous prophecy failed to materialize, the clergyman explained that humanity had been given extra time for repentance. Believers are now awaiting the new event in October of the following year.

Scientific Basis for the Catastrophe

The second date, November 13, 2026, has a scientific history. In 1960, mathematician Heinz von Foerster and his colleagues calculated that, at the growth rates of the time, Earth's population would reach infinity by that exact date.

This model predicted catastrophic overpopulation of the planet. However, the forecast proved incorrect: since the 1990s, population growth has slowed down significantly, with global fertility rates dropping by more than half compared to 1960 levels.