The Harbinger: Right Message, Harmful Exegesis
Feb 23rd, 2013 | By Dr. Jim Eckman | Category: Featured Issues
Few would doubt that one of the publishing sensations of 2012 was The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn, senior pastor of Jerusalem/Beth Israel Worship Center in Wayne, New Jersey. [In his congregation, he is generally referred to as ?Rabbi.? Cahn also gave the Keynote Address at the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast on 21 January 2013. The beginning of his address was quite powerful with the remaining part of his address being a summary of his book.] A messianic Jewish congregation, Cahn?s church is probably the largest such congregation in America. Set in a fictional narrative framework, The Harbinger centers on a set of nine small clay discs (called ?seals?) which, the book argues, are from eighth century BC Israel and are directly connected with Isaiah 9:10:
?The bricks have fallen down,
But we will rebuild with hewn stones;
The sycamores are cut down,
But we will replace them with cedars.?
In the book, the nine seals are given over a period of time to journalist Nouriel Kaplan by a mysterious figure identified only as ?The Prophet.? In the book, Kaplan relates his conversations with The Prophet to Ana Goren, a Manhattan publishing executive. These then are the three characters of the book. Ostensibly fiction, Cahn clearly uses the book to relate incontrovertible facts about both Israel in the 8th century BC and America in the early 21st century.
Theologian David James, who has both debated Cahn and written a significant book about The Harbinger, argues that Cahn ?believes he has discovered nine signs, or omens (?harbingers?), and an ancient mystery in the Isaiah passage that ?explains everything from 9/11 to the collapse of the global economy.? Furthermore, he believes that these nine harbingers have appeared once again in America beginning with the 2001 terrorist attacks. Based on Cahn?s arguments and massive amounts of ?evidence,? the reader is to conclude that it would be impossible for all of this to have happened by mere coincidence?and therefore the only reasonable explanation is that God must have orchestrated everything. The overall purpose of The Harbinger is to explain that an ancient mystery revealed by these harbingers is a call to America to repent for rejecting God and abandoning the foundations upon which the country was built. The mystery therefore also warns of the imminent danger of God?s judgment if this call is ignored.?
In summary, here are the harbingers Cahn sees using Isaiah 9:10 and how they apply to both 8th century BC Israel and 21st century America:
- The First Harbinger: The Breach. For Israel in the 8th century BC, God removed His hedge of protection from Israel, with Assyria?s invasion being the result. For America, God removed His hedge of protection, with the terrorist attacks on 9/11 being the result.
- The Second Harbinger: The Terrorist. For Israel, the Assyrians were like modern day terrorists. For America, the terrorists of 9/11 were like 8th century BC Assyrian terrorists.
- The Third Harbinger: The Fallen Bricks. The clay bricks of Israel?s 8th century BC walls, were like the ?bricks? that fell at the World Trade Center on 9/11.
- The Fourth Harbinger: The Tower. For Israel, their leaders in the 8th century BC defied God by rebuilding the city without any evidence of repentance. For America, its leaders defied God by planning to rebuild the towers destroyed on 9/11.
- The Fifth Harbinger: The Gazit Stone. For Israel in the 8th century, they used quarried and dressed stones to rebuild, rather than clay bricks. For America, quarried Adirondack stone was the cornerstone of the new tower at the 9/11 site.
- The Sixth Harbinger: The Sycamore. For Israel, most of its fig-mulberry (sycamore) trees were cut down by the invading Assyrians. For America, a lone American sycamore stood in the yard of St. Paul?s Chapel near the World Trade Center and was knocked down as a result of the collapse of the Towers on 9/11.
- The Seventh Harbinger: The Erez Tree. Israel in the 8th century BC intended to replace the destroyed Sycamore with cedar trees, in defiance of God. For America, a Norway spruce was planted at Ground Zero as an act of defiance against God.
- The Eighth Harbinger: The Utterance. Words of defiant pride and arrogance were uttered by Israel after Assyria?s invasion. For America, when its leaders repeat Isaiah 9:10, they are vowing to defy God?s judgment on America.
- The Ninth Harbinger: The Prophecy. For Israel, Isaiah 9:10 was a prophecy from God as to what would happen to Israel. For America, Isaiah 9:10 is likewise a pronouncement of judgment from God.
Although Cahn denies he is applying Isaiah 9:10 directly to America (he says it merely reveals a ?pattern? of God?s judgment), it is next to impossible to read the book and not reach that conclusion. I have had numerous people during 2012 ask me about The Harbinger and each one clearly reached that conclusion. If Cahn did not wish people to draw that conclusion, he failed. But I rather suspect this is indeed the effect he wanted.
Why is The Harbinger a book with the correct message (calling America to repentance) but with a faulty and potentially dangerous exegesis of Scripture? Several thoughts:
1. Although Cahn denies this, his book explicitly expects the reader to draw a connection between Israel as a covenant nation with God and America as a nation with a similar covenant relationship. For example, the dialogue between Nouriel Kaplan and the Prophet strongly implies that America is the new Israel. In chapter 19, ?The Mystery,? Kaplan has a dream that involves the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem under King Solomon. In the middle of the dream, King Solomon remarkably and bizarrely transforms into the first president of the United States, George Washington. As David James shows, in an interview with Glenn Beck, Cahn connected Israel returning to the place where it was dedicated to God (i.e., Temple Mount) and America returning to the place where it was dedicated to God, downtown Manhattan, America?s first capital: ?two parallel nations, two parallel places of dedication, two parallel places of destruction, and two parallel covenants.? Cahn keeps trying to deny such a connection, but whether explicitly or implicitly, this is the connection people are drawing. Further, one of the reasons Mormons are so enthusiastically endorsing this book is that the entire Mormon faith rests on the proposition that America is where the ?lost tribes? of Israel came after the Assyrian invasion in 722 BC. America is the new Israel. But the Bible clearly states that Israel is in an unconditional covenant with God called the Abrahamic Covenant. America has no such unconditional covenant connection whatsoever to God. To even allude to such a relationship, as The Harbinger clearly does, is unbiblical and wrong.
2. Cahn violates one of the most basic principles of hermeneutics?the literal, historic grammatical method of interpretation. His hermeneutic is an allegorical one, where there are mysteries hidden deep in the text that, apparently, he has now uncovered. This allegorical interpretation of the Bible is terribly dangerous and subjective because there is no test for it. This is the mystery he sees in Isaiah 9:10 and, because he sees it, it is true and applicable to America. I know of no biblical scholar who would argue that Isaiah 9:10 can be directly or indirectly applied to America. Yet, Cahn clearly wants us to think so. The subtitle of his book shows this: The Ancient Mystery That Holds the Secret of America?s Future.
3. In chapter 17 of David James?s book on The Harbinger, James makes an important argument about Jonathan Cahn and his intellectual roots. He demonstrates quite convincingly that Cahn is influenced, if not actually propagating, an important form of Jewish mysticism called Kabbalah. Indeed, in Cahn’s book he has a dialogue between Kaplan and Goren, the editor, in which Kaplan visited a bookstore in Brooklyn filled with ?all sorts of mystical Hebrew writings. That was his passion?finding meaning in mystical Hebrew writings.? The introduction of ?Hebrew mystical writings? fits a pattern of many of Cahn?s sermons available online at his church?s website. The term ?mystery? is used rather frequently and consistently. He instructs his parishioners to ?listen to the rabbis.? That he is influenced by Jewish mysticism is clear and this helps us understand the genesis of his book The Harbinger. It is consistent with the tradition of Jewish mysticism, something that has unquestionably influenced Cahn.
The tragedy of The Harbinger is not its message: America does need to repent. Sin and its ugly consequences are pervasive in America and when one reads Romans 1:18-34 one sees the universal consequences that apply to every person, tribe or nation that defies God. The downward spiral of those verses characterizes every civilization in human history that has rejected God. America is suffering those consequences not because it is in a special covenant relationship with God but because God has established His moral law and to defy it is to experience these consequences. For those of us who love God?s Word, The Harbinger is a sad book. Cahn has taken an obscure verse in one of the most magnificent chapters of the Bible, Isaiah 9, which applies to Messiah Jesus, and turned it into an allegory that talks about America. This is not a ?mystery? that applies to America and there is no ?Isaiah 9:10 Effect? as the book implies. In Isaiah 9:10, Cahn has not discovered some esoteric mystery that has been hidden for 2,700 years. He has taken a verse that has nothing to do with America and through the twisting of words, through stretching the meaning of words and through downright misrepresenting the text of Scripture, caused people to believe directly or indirectly that God is speaking to America in this verse?and to our doom if we ignore it.
The Harbinger has a legitimate message?America needs to repent. It is a nation that God will hold accountable for the pervasive nature of sin in this country. But, that is the message of the Gospel itself. Humans are sinners; Jesus came to die for that sin; we appropriate that finished work of Jesus Christ by faith. The simple Gospel message is missing in The Harbinger?and that is a glaring omission, for it is the key to America?s repentance?not heeding an obscure mystery found in Isaiah 9:10 that has nothing to do with America.
See David James, The Harbinger: Fact or Fiction? I highly recommend this book, for it places The Harbinger and Jonathan Cahn in a context that both explains the appeal of this book to the spiritually shallow religiosity of America and why Cahn wrote the kind of book he did. PRINT PDF
Dr. Eckman,
I appreciate all your articles I receive by e-mail. This “Harbinger” one came at just the right time, as some friends (at Christ Community Church) bought the DVD’s for this book to share with a small group of us. I started to read the book, but realized it is just a novel, and hardly was interested. After reading your opinion today, I am going to share this with these friends. I only want the pure Word of God to guide my life. Thank you so much for sharing these “Issues in Perspective” with us.
Marilyn Doolittle
AMOS 3:8 The lion has roared–who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken–who can but prophesy? Let God be true and every man a liar. JUST REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED, ALL OF YOU…WEEP AND WAIL FOR YOUR SINS AND MAYBE GOD WILL TURN HIS WRATH AWAY FROM US.
Can’t you see God is using Jonathan Cahn to warn & wake up the people! Don’t you know that all the prophets of the bible were hated, rejected, imprisoned, and even killed by their own people! & then low & behold, come to find out, they were true! They were really sent from God and used by God to warn, prophecy, and wake up the people! But unfortunately, only very few believed them & listened. Most of them called them foolish & crazy and they continued rebel against God. They ignored the truth and thought it to be “crazy”. Must I remind all Christians, Jews, & all Believers that Faith & Human Logic DO NOT MIX! They DO NOT go together! If you follow the logic of the bible; Gods Logic; then you would see that what he says is true! Do you believe that God no longer uses people to do His work. To warn His people. Do you believe there is no such thing as Prophets in this modern age?!No more prophecies being fulfilled?! As a matter of fact, we have almosted completed all the bible prophecies. And if you read the bible, ezikial & revelations exc, then you would know there are still prophecies to be found! There’s more Scripture to be found! The Bible says that! And we also know that history always repeats itself! Are you really going to turn the blind eye to all the evidence of truth in this?! Are you too going to think in the flesh & rebel against our Creator?! You say you only will follow His Word….reading some Scriptures only a few times a week is not “following Him”. Bible knowledge is nothing unless you put it to use! To EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE! You must stop thinking like everyone else! Don’t be too quick to think with your human logic….when it come to our God, the crazier something sounds; the more likely it is to be TRUE!!! Its time that everyone who calls themselves “children of God” stand up and FOLLOW HIM! Live for Him! Raise their children off of His Word! To teach their children of the Lord from infancy! Stop living in your sinful modern day lifestyles! Try meditating on Him & His Word 24/7!!!! Not just on Sundays!!!! Wake up America!! IT IS TIME!! JESUS IS STANDING RIGHT AT THE DOOR!! DONT LET HIM COME AND CATCH YOU SLEEPING!! Be ready! Truly ready!! Give our entire life to Him! Serve Him! Don’t break His Law to fallow mans law! By mans way you will fall!
Jesus is coming!
He is almost hear!
Don’t get too caught up in your worldly/earthly life & desires!
And for goodness sakes! Teach your children! Don’t screw them over! They deserve a chance at eternal life with Jesus!!!!
Just one fact. There are no new prophets after Gods Holy Word was complete. We have preachers that proclaim Gods Word. It is not to be added to or taken from. Man will fail but the inspire word of God will not. He gave us all we need.
America does need to repent. We have hundreds of events that show us that we need to repent. While there is some very interesting parallels that happened on 9-11 this verse in Isaiah is not thus saith the Lord to America.
Ancient mystery revealed? Beware because modern day prophets are false prophets. Not one verse is of private interpretation. Preach the word…don’t read into it something that is not there.
Gods word says: righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people. Preach against sin! Preach repentance.
God may have very well allowed 9-11…. but ancient mystery revealed? no.
Have a blessed day,
Jim
So are there no new pastors or teachers? “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,” Eph 4:11 – Prophecy still comes. Its our job to test it by God’s Word. Whatever you may think of Johnathon Cahn, his application is accurate. He never says “thus says the Lord….this will happen”.
To The Gentleman That Denies That There Are No More (Will Be No More ?) prophets:
The “Two Witnesses” of Revelations 11 are decidedly two modern prophets. See Acts 15 for two more – Judas and Silas. Agabus was another in the book of Acts. See also Acts 13 and the prophets in Antioch, e.g., Paul and Barnabas before they were later identified as prophets. Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 12 agree: in NT times, after the rank of apostle (there are none now) came/would come… prophets.
Correction to my last reply:
“… before they were identified as apostles” – not prophets.
Thank you for writing this! It’s exactly what I have said. It’s difficult to convince anyone of that who wants to believe what Cahn has written. The book’s in our church library. I said if it is read as fiction, it’s ok. If not, it has problems. The danger is that people will read it as Cahn seems to indicate, as though those prophecies all reside in that verse, and exegetically they do not. One could probably find many a verse in the Bible, especially in the prophetic books, and generate similar results, and perhaps, for any nation on earth. Thanks again.
Hello. My hairdresser, who is a very bright, successful Mexican-American, and a Catholic carried “The Harbinger” around with him, and when I would complain about America kicking God out of the Country, and that’s the problem, he would say “it’s all in that book!” Today,I watched a little of Jim Bakker show. He seems to really care about The Harbinger, and the author, who is a Messianic Jew, Rabbi (pastor) I’ve studied many religions, but got baptized Catholic because I believe it is the first church founded by Jesus through Peter. Now, it has gone up and down with corrputions, and I no long go to Mass, but I used to go daily and went to school in a convent. There’s where the people were literally full of love, but the teachers also had discipline. We were taught our purpose on earth is to love, honor and obey God in this life, to be happy with him in the next. When I got into the outside world, it was a mess, and I got in trouble believing people. So, I go to the source of anything new before I believe it. I think the people who pan this book are jealous. I’ve been to Israel, and the Kabala place, of course to Cathedrals, to Temples of Jewish and in Thailand for Buddha. I think this man, Cohn, looks like one of the Apostles, and his wife, looks as Mary might look. He says it is “fiction.” However, Jesus told us things in parables. I may get the book, but lately haven’t been doing much reading as I’m distressed the way our Country is going, and doing more writing.
The first church was a called out assembly on the sea shores of Galilee. This took place before the day of Pentecost. The existing church was “added to” on the day of Pentecost and they were empowered that day to show the unbelievers that this is where the real power is given.
The church was built on Jesus, not Peter. The churches were meeting before Jesus died and when Catholics came along they went on to kill the “real” christians because they rebaptized those that were baptized by the Catholics.
The term prostestant does not in itself accurate describe the real churches that existed. The real churches did not protest and come out of the catholics, BECAUSE they were never a part of them.
I must say; there are believers in Jesus Christ in many denominations that only believe in his shed blood, ALONE for the remission of sins…. many do not even know what the doctrinal statements of the church they belong to. if they did they would leave the Catholics etc… because they have made up other ways to heaven and other traditions to be the truth , when it is not.
May God help us all see that it is only Jesus that can save and the only churches that are right in Gods eyes are the ones that follow him- NOT the man in cloth behind the pulpits.
America needs to repent ad that includes believers. Calling oneself a Christian does not make one. Cal ourselves believers and let the world see if we are really Christ-like. Judgment will begin first at the house of God. the churches Jesus spoke of or types of churches today need to get on their knees.
Misery loves company
The book is sold as a “Fiction/Suspense” novel. Any relevance to fact is purely your own conclusion or interpretation.
Yes the book is fiction but rabbi Cohen has stated repeatedly that God gave him the revelation of the Harbinger as a message to America
Rabbi Cahn wrote these messages in this format so more people would be a able to read and understand where this country stands as far as the fast approaching judgement of God. It’s a message of warning to the US to repent, turn to God and to turn away from our sinful lives. Take stock of what your eyes see, your mouth says, your ears hear on a daily basis. God is holy. Read The Bible and read The Harbinger.
Thank you for continuing your work on Issues In Perspective. I have lately heard much inappropriate preaching and teaching based on poor hermeneutics. It is joyful to have a place to come and read without having to be on “high alert”.
[…] I found it interesting that Herescope didn?t mention the New York Times? Best Seller The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn. I?m sure it was mentioned in another piece. A friend gave me the book and I only made it to chapter 11, the one about the seventh of nine harbingers. I found an interesting synopsis and opinion about the book here. […]
When I came across this book I was absolutely dumbfounded. I could not believe…and still can’t…that someone who supposedly is educated in scripture and exegesis could come up with such an interpretation. But what tore at my heart even more was realizing that Cahn is not alone in his twisted interpretation of scripture. Ads for this book lead me to a number of “conservative Christian” sites that were utterly shameless in their completely ignorant interpretation of scripture. Most of this nonsense is directed in one way or another at current politicians or policies in the U.S. government. The Bible was not written about America. I hope people will eventually get that bit of confusion clarified. At the same time, however, finding these websites brought me full circle. I had recently also come across a number of sites created by “liberal Christians” who are progressive, or emerging, or converging who empty the Bible of its message, strip Jesus of his identity, and then tell us that there is no life beyond death. They are completely empty. Modern Christians have a difficult path to walk…the straight and narrow one…between these two errors. That makes it very difficult to be a Christian in America today.
Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.
– Ezekiel 5:2
I mention this because it is a random verse I chose that can be twisted to the same effect.
“Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled:” The city being New York, the fire being jet fuel, and the siege being the jihad.
“And thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife:” The knife could be the box cutter that the terrorists used.
“And a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.” The dust from the towers spread about in the wind, and America retaliated, like one drawing a sword after those who had attacked us.
(Note: I truly did just randomly choose one. This just happened to work out perfectly.) But I agree with everything you’ve written. Anyone can use a verse from the Bible to illustrate their point. They’re no more prophet than Joseph Smith was.
Wow, down to the hour and even the vey minute and you, Dr . Eckman, want to have a theological debate? The Gospel message avoided. The book is filled with examples of mercy. Did you read it? Perhaps you should revisit chapter 20. Is it not clear that in the last 50 years this nation has slid into moral decay, murdering over 12 million children, kicking God out of schools and government, rushing into every conceivable form of idolatry imaginable and you want to debate whether this country has a covenant with God! Covenant or not, people’s eternal destiny is at stake this very hour and you want to poke holes in a vehicle that at the very least should cause people to stop and think. Wow, is all I can say. Isaiah 6:9-10 “He said, “Go and tell this people: “?’Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Or, perhaps even more importantly, “Forgive them Father for they do not know what they do.”
Excellent Rebuttal,!
As usual, the titles that are forbidden by God (Job 32:21,22; Matt:23:8-12), when placed in front of the name have a tendency to cause swelling in some peoples’ heads causing misguided thinking. I have known for 20 years now, that God has/is metaphorically and factually warning America in the Scriptures to repent, or He is going to allow America’s enemies to completely destroy it. See http://www.watchmenministries.info for the facts. The greatest sins are capped by Pride and Haughtiness (Arrogance) which many including the “Dr” are in need of repentance.
Bravo! Well stated.
As I share some of my thoughts with you, I ask that Eckman and James to keep in mind Job 26:3b, which reads, ?How hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is??
Eckman infers The Harbinger is ?harmful exegesis? and presents James? opinion similarly (I have not read James? refutation of the Harbinger.). Yet, if anyone with a minute amount of intelligence reads the Harbinger, he will see Cahn never claims The Harbinger as to view the Isaiah 9 text as a grammatical excursion into syntax.
Cahn does make clear the following ideas.
? Isaiah was not prophesying of America with the 911 and subsequent events
? God did not make a covenant with America
? The manifestation of the nine harbingers are not fulfillments of scripture
? The Harbinger does not affect the hermeneutic of Isaiah 9 as speaking of Israel
Cahn, however, does include a critical study of the historical and cultural background in the realm of the Isaiah?s perspective and message from God as delivered to its original audience, Israel. Further he declares The Harbinger ?is not, in its essence, fiction,? but is ?the communicating of truth and facts? as they relate to ?biblical patterns.?
Therefore, it is easy to conclude that Eckman and James are misrepresenting Cahn?s proposition and have created an illusion of refuting it. Why do Eckman and James attempt to sway their readers? Not certain, but here we see Eckman?s and James? words doth eat like a ?????????. Contrarily, Cahn parallels events manifest from 911 in light of scripture and, even in Eckman?s words, Cahn?s ?conclusion of God?s judgment of America is correct.?
As I share some of my thoughts with you, I ask that Eckman and James to keep in mind Job 26:3b, which reads, ?How hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is??
Eckman infers The Harbinger is ?harmful exegesis? and presents James? opinion similarly (I have not read James? refutation of the Harbinger.). Yet, if anyone with a minute amount of intelligence reads the Harbinger, he will see Cahn never claims The Harbinger as to view the Isaiah 9 text as a grammatical excursion into syntax.
Cahn does make clear the following ideas.
? Isaiah was not prophesying of America with the 911 and subsequent events
? God did not make a covenant with America
? The manifestation of the nine harbingers are not fulfillments of scripture
? The Harbinger does not affect the hermeneutic of Isaiah 9 as speaking of Israel
Cahn, however, does include a critical study of the historical and cultural background in the realm of the Isaiah?s perspective and message from God as delivered to its original audience, Israel. Further he declares The Harbinger ?is not, in its essence, fiction,? but is ?the communicating of truth and facts? as they relate to ?biblical patterns.? That the library categorizes the Harbinger as fiction does not discredit the Harbinger any more than categorizing evolution as scientific fact. It is non sequitur that the book is fiction because the library categorizes it so.
Therefore, it is easy to conclude that Eckman and James are misrepresenting Cahn?s proposition and have created an illusion of refuting it. Why do Eckman and James attempt to sway their readers? Not certain, but here we see Eckman?s and James? words doth eat like a ?????????. Contrarily, Cahn parallels events manifest from 911 in light of scripture and, even in Eckman?s words, Cahn?s ?conclusion of God?s judgment of America is correct.?
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The article written above reminds me of those who cry “peace and safety” after someone has sounded an alarm.
I think putting God into a defined box of what “shouldn’t be” is as dangerous as exaggerating what is.
Our infinitely omniscient Lord is very capable of embedding multiple layers of meaning and even prophecy into His glorious Word. To say Isaiah 9:10 is not pertaining to a current element unfolding (again) in history is far more safe than to disregard the possibility altogether.
The mere mathematical probability of such events lining up in this state of duality is staggering. Which happens to be a top trademark of our Lord.
Bricks did fall, then and now.
Trees were felled, then and now.
Hewn stone was erected, then and again now.
A tree was replaced for another species of tree, then as was done again now.
And the defiant address of Isaiah 9:10 was spoken then….and this time again it was spoken out of sheer defiant ignorance. (it was a rebellious and prideful comment in the Biblical times just as it was this time)
Doesn’t that sum up America? Prideful arrogance?
And see verse 12, “Philistines” to be set up against in behind! Philistine is equivalent to Palestine AKA Islam!
The writing certainly was, and is, upon the wall. And praise God for Jonathan Cahn under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to read and share it. One thing that has never been mentioned (at least not to my knowledge) is the fact it is Isaiah 9:10. And the event is known as 9/11. But God is always a step ahead of the enemy!
(many steps but proverbially speaking)
And how do we explain the 777 point stock crash in 2008? Ya know, that was also the year of Jubilee within the shmita. Did Cahn just get that lucky? Is the cancellation of debt that the Jubilee dictates and our financial loss both in 2001 and 2008 on the very year of Jubilee just mere happenstance?
And what about another 7 years from 2008? You know, we are set to have another EXTREMELY rare tetrad (4 blood moons) in 2014 and 2015.
I do however agree that certain definitive elements should be refrained from absolutes, but in the grand scheme of things numbers don’t lie. Take the shmita for instance, 7 Hebrew years to the time of 9/11/01, the actual year of jubilee? And what the shmita represents with what happened? That is far beyond human construct especially when we add the fact that in 2008 the greatest stock crash in history (up to that point) took place on the very next one!
How about Tom Daschel and the other who recited Isaiah 9:10 in public! The ONLY possibility that this whole thing is NOT our Lord’s divine trademark/allowance is if it was all orchestrated and self-fulfilled by the people involved. And that is a very real possibility, but to what end? Why would they?
Jesus did say in the end the deception would be so deep that if possible even the very elect would be deceived…so I suppose we shall see.
I would also tend to agree more Jesus needed to be present within this work, HOWEVER, you must also strongly consider Jonathan’s bloodline. He is a Christian Jew! And a Jewish Rabbi who seeks to follow Yeshua
to carry out the great commission among his people has likely the hardest witnessing job of all.
You’d be better off getting an atheist to become a preacher than getting a Jew to follow Jesus.
With God all things are possible, and Holy Spirit does the hard part, but you can win more Jewish souls to Christ with truth and OT applications then you can with cramming Jesus preaching down a peoples throat who think they already have God. His approach is actually quite masterful.
I’m not obsessed with Jonathan or anyone besides the Elohim Ben Yachid, but we must also consider the target audience of this work. And it’s prior believing Christians and Jews who take the lion’s share. Any nonbeliever who accepted this book will surely be led on the right path.
And for the rest of us, if this isn’t a call to arms, then I’m not sure what is:
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
And that is what Cahn posits as the alternative to our demise.
Even though anyone who understands Bible prophecy knows there will be no great revival, it’s certainly our job to try and try and try again.
Blessings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
-Thomas
The use of ‘mystery’ and the hype is clearly suspect. Also suspect is the idea of one small part of scripture relating to israel holding the secret of the USA’s future, when in fact much of the scripture is prophecy of events that affect the world’s future, including the USA.
That being said, he had some very valid points. The most valid is the pride evidenced in the symbols of rebuilding. I have been dubious for the first about rebuilding a taller tower and the title “Freedom tower”.
The whole would be a lesson for leaders in future to check the full context before they quote the Bible!
David James has a Doctorate on the studies about Israel. I wonder what Cahn has, a refrence guide to the internet, which provides numerous account’s on just about any subject that you can think of.
David James is in Israel today fighting for Israel’s people. Over two thousand year’s ago, Cahn would be crucified for heresy or stoned to death.
I am not comparing Cahn to Chris but wasn’t Christ crucified over 2000 years ago for a charge of heresy? Interesting irony you just presented.
Cahn knows Ancient Hebrew and has studied as a Rabbi for years, that’s what he has. Do your homework.
Dear Dr. Eckman:
Being a critic of “The Harbinger” in stead of an ally, my first reaction after reading your response, “Is this the best you could come up with?” I have been studying the Bible for more than 11 years, have read and studied both “The Harbinger” and “The Harbinger Companion and Study Guide” that is included at the end of each chapter, I have seen Jonathan Cahn on TV several times and U-TUBE videos on the web, I have watched six of his DVDs, including the inaugural Prayer Breakfast he was invited to attend (very powerful message), a C/D he narrates the text of his book (very impressive reading) all listening/watching more than once. I have also led groups of people in “The Harbinger” book and DVD study, and much more. I am also by nature a critic and for years, I have looked for contradictions and inerrancies in both the Bible and this past year, The Harbinger. To my knowledge, I have found none.
The message of “God’s Word” and message of “The Harbinger” in my opinion are flawless. If their are “errors” (not typos) would you be kind enough to point them out to me. Be specific. Number each of them, by referring to Bible, chapter and verse or page number in “The Harbinger” book. In your review, you quote Jonathan by questioning weather the massive amount of evidence is mere coincidence or that all the 9 Harbingers were orchestrated by God as signs, warnings and possible judgments to come. In Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” and in Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Jonathan said that if it wasn’t for the Spirit of God inspiring Him to write “The Harbinger” books and doing the DVDs, he couldn’t have put all this complex information together in a million years. When he finally sat down to write the book in the 2nd half of 2011, he finished the book in 4 months part time. Then after much prayer, he supernaturally met a man on a plain (there is a great story on DVD about this event and 2nd book) and through this man, Jonathan was pointed to the right publisher and early in January, 2012 the book was published. Since he had never written a book before and was unknown to the book publishing industry, he said it was a miracle by God.
What got me with your piece was toward the end, you say: “…that is the message of the Gospel itself … we appropriate that finished work of Jesus Christ by faith. The simple Gospel message is missing in “The Harbinger” and that is a glaring omission …” Apparently, it seems that you read “The Harbinger” once and probably did a “quick scan and read” in many chapters. Jonathan says in “two lines” right after the title page says: “What you are about to read is presented in the form of a story (a way to deliver the message in an interesting way to the reader), but what IS contained “within the story” IS REAL.” What Jonathan wants every reader to see is that God is supernaturally up to something big, because what all 9 Harbingers convey is that they are all happening in a very precise Revelation that could have only been orchestrated by God. Jonathan wants the reader to see God in a supernatural way “in real time today” and that the mystery of the Shemitah (6 years you shall labor and the 7th year is a Sabbeth year, to rest) is coming up again in 2015. All 9 Harbingers are real, they are happening in our time and that’s what Jonathan wants the readers to see. Jonathan calls himself a messenger and the message in the book is for every individual in America to return to God in repentance and adoration to our savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, Messiah, Yeshua. Have you read Chapter 21 of “The Harbinger”? The message to be born again and return to God is loud and clear!
Another comment you said that is “not true” is: “The tragedy of “The Harbinger” is not its message: Then you mention Romans 1″ as if every person in America reads the Bible and knows God’s Word well. The sad truth is that very few read and know the Bible’s message. For me, and for many I have talked too say “The Harbinger” puts ‘the fear of God in our hearts’ like never before and some find passages like Proverbs 1:7 to have much more meaning: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” People individually are repenting and new people are coming to Christ because of “The Harbinger.” They say they see God manifesting these 9 signs and warnings, because it is all about what has happened from 9-11-01 forward. The 3rd 7-year Shemitah cycle ends in Sept., 2015. What will that mystery hold?? You can reject and persecute Jonathan Cahn and his book “The Harbinger” all you want, but I am convinced it is the best book ever written, since the Bible. The Harbingers in “real time” have been happening right under our noises and until Jonathan Cahn came along to be God’s messenger and to courageously sound the alarm, by writing these books, doing the DVDs and getting the word out to people, up to now, no one has been any the wiser about these precise warnings and signs.
In closing Dr. Eckman, are you familiar with the Book of Jonah and why God was so persistent about having Jonah preach to all the people in Nineveh? These people are ruthless and the fathers of terrorism. Jonah hated these people because it. God used Nineveh as an example to demonstrate that a city or nation can return to God and Jonah followed God’s orders, after a little persuading, to show the world that masses of people can come to God at one time. God then postponed judgment on Nineveh.
Where was David James’s arguments “and his book” about all these events that “have happened” as Jonathan points out, “before” Jonathan wrote “The Harbinger”? According to what the 2 witnesses in Washington quoted (Tom Dashel and John Edwards) from Isaiah 9:10 and then president Obama virtually says the same things, making him the 3rd witness of authority, they “together” pronounced judgment on America without them either realizing it. Is “The Harbinger” book “harmful exegesis?” I think not. Could they be helpful warnings to many? Yes, by all means, yes! There are many more comments I could make, regarding your piece.
I’d appreciate your comments and reaction to my comments to your piece. Judging by your piece, I’m sure you are a man of God, so thank you for taking the time to carefully read my comments to your piece and to respond.
David Beaudet
To you your own logic. If anyone cannot see the remarkable parallels between ancient Israel’s situation and America’s it will be impossible to convince them. There is a point where even the most ardent unbeliever (in God) would admit that the coincidences are beyond amazing. The claim that the USA was founded by the Church is undeniable, with just a simple perusal of our history. Why shouldn’t those principles be similar? Have you adopted the western mindset that prophecy is only a foretelling and fulfillment? If so you have ignored that many of the prophecies fulfilled in the NT at Jesus’ first coming were that of pattern.
But thank you for posting a good summary of the nine harbingers – that is what I was looking for.
What happened to the piece I wrote a few weeks ago??
David Beaudet
Too often fiction becomes doctrine…consider the deliverance mania from the eighties!
I am in agreement with what you have said in that America needs to repent, but Cahn’s book has some very questionable hermanuetics. Without questioning the Christian orthodoxy of his church, I want to say that I am not happy with the way Cahn presents his material. He calls it fiction, but then states it’s real. His entire theme is built on scripture but then calling it fiction delivers the wrong message. He is playing slight of hand and that is deceptive.
Secondly, I want to raise the question for discussion of his theology in saying that God deals with countries, nations in the same way as he did in the Old Testament, and that is by passing judgment (or at least removing his protection-more slight of hand) on whole nations. I do not see that in the New Testament. In fact, when there is judgment in Revelation it is against the CHURCH, not the nation, not a people group, nor an ethnicity. Typically, many view the church as having replaced Israel, in other words, Israel was a type and shadow of the people of God. Paul himself says that we have been grafted into the vine and that we, the people of faith, are the children of Abraham. Therefore, God does NOT deal with nations as he did in OT times. (Also, there is another corroborating argument that would say that the US is made of many peoples, many ethnicities which again argues against judgment of a “people”) Yes, God can bless America—as the church prays in faith for its leaders and this land. Therefore, I agree that we need to repent, and first we need to repent for the lack of prayer as the church. The message is true and good and thoughtful, but I agree with the author of this article-the theology is not good and can lead people down the wrong path.
This does put a new perspective on the video I watched. However, I stopped believing in coincidence quite some time ago. The fulfillment of each of the prophecies, or judgments, with such precision cannot, an is not, mere coincidence. Whether God is speaking to America through a covenant or just because He, knowing the future, knew we would need it, does not matter to me. The fact that He is speaking is enough. The clincher for me was at the end. I thought that I knew American history but I did not know all that about George Washington and New York City. The tree in the church yard protecting, or having protected the very church where he first went to sanctify our country, and the words he spoke there, tied the whole of it together. America had better repent. There are two parts to every country; the government and the people. Our government, the one we hold so dear, is supposed to represent the people; be a reflection of their will. Ours is no that kind of institution, unfortunately; it will not now, or ever, repent. But as a people, as a group of “persons” or individuals we can do what our government will never do; we can and must, every person on an individual basis, turn back to God. And that is just what the gospels tell us. I do believe that God has a message for America. Covenant? I don’t know. There is a lot of history that would point to it; both biblical and secular. But I don’t think that is a particularly relevant point. The point is God is talking and we, I, had better shut up and listen.
What I agree to, is that not only America but the whole World needs to stop fighting and start to see the good things in others, and looking at people as human beings not to look at their colour or nationality, we are all children of God.
Dear M. Isabella,
You say we are all “children of God”. If you mean that we are all made in the Image of God (Gen. 1) then I can enthusiastically agree! Otherwise, I have a problem with St. John 8;44 — “You are of your father the Devil”. Maybe you can help me understand your meaning in light of Jesus’ own words.
Respectfully, Wilson
You have much to say in criticism of a pure message that Glorifies God. Yet, you have paragraph after paragraph of criticism. You will most certainly find out living in America whether Jonathan Cahn was correct and honored God in his message. .
It is Harvest time. We are seeing many signs. This is
yet another.
I don’t understand how we distinguish between when God is talking about Israel alone ?as a literal place and people (children)and when we are to insert ourselves as “children of God” with a blood covenant through the death and blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When the New Testament talks about there is no difference in the sight of God between Jew and Gentile because of the death, buirel and resurrection of Jesus, when are we to make the distinction between Jew and Gentile and when are we not to make that distinction? Do we have two different interpretations of “Children of God”?
There is only one Israel.
This is the Israel in the heavens. The Israel on earth is merely a fleeting shadow of the heavenly; and indeed this shadow was eclipsed at the time of the Lord’s incarnation. “The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof”. Thus, the blasphemy of those who still consider themselves a chosen people; and who misunderstand, as many others still do, the essential nature of the Children of Abraham, who are those out of all nations and peoples who have had the divine clay applied to their eyes by the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
As He told them, their genetic connection to Abraham was irrelevant in the sight of God; as He is able of the very stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
The people who live in the land today are not jews by birth, but by conversion.
Thus their claim to right of domicile in that land is negated by their obvious lack of genetic linkage to the ancient Israelites. Notice how they do not give themselves that title, but describe themselves rather as “Israelis”.
What a difference a “te” makes!
They descend from the Khazars of eighth-century Europe, and indeed modern geneticists confirm this.
Askenaz, from whom the majority of modern-day “jews” trace their lineage, was one of the sons of Japheth, not Shem, as Genesis 10, 3 makes clear.
These people are impostors, monumental frauds, and deceivers.
They worship not YHVH, but Lucifer, and the host of heaven. Their holy book is the Talmud, not the Torah.
Ezekiel 38 makes plain that these individuals are actually the children of the cursed Magog, who have entered the land to sack it and pillage it.
But their end is sure, and their destruction is certain.
Oh, there is a test for interpretation. Continue to wait & see & the dates roll by. There is no such thing as coincidence.
The mathematical probability that you are right and Jonathan Cahn being wrong; using your own article alone; is about 1:5 620 000 000. One thing that you seriously did not see was that ?Israel? in the original Harbinger were the wicked 10 tribes who were taken captive by the Assyrian army, these were NOT Jews! Jeruselam consisting of the part of the tribe of Benjamin and the whole of Judah (Jews) survived by paying the invaders off with silver from the temple and you must understand that both the enemy tablet (flat stone with writing on boasting of victory) says this as well as the bible. The date of this event is near to 722 to 721BC. There were incursions (breaches years befor this) hence the “defiance” and “arrogance” of the house of Jacob who are not Jews, and far more numerous than Judah (Jews).
Now using the Harbinger books 1 and 2 and the Bible, the odds are truly incomprehensible:
1: 1 times 10 to the power of 30.
As for the previous comment, yes you do find thousands of “coincidences” in the bible, and if it was all lies the “coincidences” would break down into the same as found in harry potter books: but they don’t even get close. I suggest you find out why, dig deeper! Hundreds of atheist/PhD archaeologists return form Israel as Christians even when Christian archaeologists are scored. Also academic linguists who translate the bible from codexes become believers. This is rather telling of the truth is it not? One sin that cannot be forgiven: ?blaspheme against the Holy Ghost? saying what which is true and beautiful is evil and saying what which is evil is good!?
Jesus was accused of healing by the power of satan. By what power does Jonathan Cahn come? Can a house stand divided against itself? Now these 10 scattered tribes before they were scattered sacrificed children – hundreds of them. What Jonathen said is that America USA sacrifices millions. Now who is more wicked?
If you are a betting man rather than a religious man your odds are rather poor to say the least!
Though I have only read excerpts from the Harbinger, my conclusion is: How can you take a “fictional” piece of work, and actually turn it into “What the Bible really Teaches” piece of work…….YOU CANNOT, READ THE BIBLE, STUDY THE BIBLE, MEDITATE ON THE BIBLE, PUT BIBLE INTO PRACTICE IN OUR OWN LIFE……..NOW WE HAVE A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR ALL OF US 🙂
What Dr. Eckman fails to discuss in his rebuttal, is Cahn’s following contentions. I would be very interested in his thoughts on these items:
1: That the financial markets took a big hit just after the attacks (no surprise there!) in lower Manhattan in 2001 – on the day of 29 Elul on the Hebrew calendar, which Cahn claims was the first sign of impending judgment based on the 7 year Old Testament idea of resting the land and cancelling debts (the Shmita) on a Hebraic 7 year cycle.
2: That the collapse of the stock market in 2008 occurred exactly 7 years later (also on 29 Elul on the Hebrew calendar) to the day after the first financial calamity in 2001 above. Cahn sees this as the second harbinger of divine judgment based on that Shmita – seven year cycle. The percentage and point drop of the Dow can be independently verified online by a variety of financial news sources.
3: That the collapse of the stock market in 2008 occurred with a 7% drop and 777 points on the Dow, with the number 7 being the divine number of completion / perfection seen throughout the Old Testament.
4: That George Washington himself, along with the founding fathers of this nation, who assembled in the church across from WTC some two centuries ago to sign the Buttonwood agreement, which, while admittedly not a divine covenant from on high, does contain explicit language acknowledging the dedication of the new nation to the God of the Bible.
regards
Ronnie
PS:
4: please correct: the “Buttonwood agreement” in item 4 above to read “Buttonwood declaration”.
Cahn makes an additional fifth claim:
5: That the Old Testament destruction of Israel took place on the very site of that nation’s dedication to the God of the Old Testament. Israel dedicated the nation to God at the temple in Jerusalem, and it was there the nation was eventually destroyed. Cahn sees the attack on the WTC towers as being on the same plot of land that George Washington dedicated the new nation in his Buttonwood declaration.
regards,
A buttonwood tree on Wall Street was a common meeting place for stockbrokers to conduct business. There, on May 17, 1792, twenty-four stockbrokers signed an agreement that became the basis for the New York Stock Exchange. They pledged the following: ?We the Subscribers, Brokers for the Purchase and Sale of the Public Stock, do hereby solemnly promise and pledge ourselves to each other, that we will not buy or sell from this day to any person whatsoever, any kind of Public Stock, at least one quarter of one percent Commission on the specie and that we will give preference to each other in our Negotiations.?
Historians call it the Buttonwood Agreement. It is a single sentence, and a cumbersome one at that, but it meant that they alone?no outsiders?would serve as brokers for the stock market, adhering to a code of conduct and commissions. They would be the equivalent of a guild, setting and maintaining the standards of the stock market. Their private association would not even have an official name until 1817, when its now 35 members adopted a more detailed code of business and named themselves the New York Stock and Exchange Board.
Is this actually true?
Sennacherib indeed took all Israel captive; but when he marched against Judah, he was turned back by a mighty pestilence. He never got into Jerusalem; still less did he destroy it.
Byron’s wonderful poem “The Destruction of Sennacherib” details the unfolding of events.
I just stayed up most of the night reading The Harbinger. I did not know what to think about it. There is something truly frightening about it, and I think your analysis has clarified that for me — that the judgment Cahn sees coming on the US (which is certainly a valid and reasonable assumption) is that of the OT and is missing the central message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Thank you.
“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision. Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.”
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
What a shame someone takes Jonathan Cahn–a Messianic Jew– to task for writing a fictional book that gives an insight to those who drop God from their culture. You are judging this man for not giving a message David James wants to put in his book, but this is a work of fiction! Yes, he uses scripture, and he uses his interpretation most likely from Judaism, knowing Hebrew and most likely Arabic, which I doubt David James knows. In his work of fiction, you say he is sharing a “potential message” about America being warned” “Although Cahn denies he is applying Isaiah 9:10 directly to America (he says it merely reveals a ?pattern? of God?s judgment), it is next to impossible to read the book and not reach that conclusion.” Fiction is open to interpretation. The Bible IS literal, and he did not try to change any meanings. I can bet you money he knows more about the book of Isaiah, and the entire Bible, than David James, as he is schooled in the original languages of that book. I wonder if D. James is a “replacement theology” Christian, who believes that Christians replace Jews in the eyes of God? Otherwise, why would he criticize this man’s work of fiction and demand his own views should have been represented in this book??????
The jews as a genetic entity have been replaced, Becky.
Of that there is not the slightest doubt.
“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate”.
“But he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit”.
“The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”
“And all the house of Israel are uncircumcized in the heart.”
“But we preach Christ crucified; unto the jews a stumbling-block…”
“None of those men which were bidden shall taste of My supper….”
And so it goes on.
I have to add: America DOES need to repent! “Those who curse Israel will be cursed” (Gen3sis 12:3). This country elected a president that has promoted many sins the Bible says are sins, which flies in the very face of God and has made sure the judges rule in favor of atheist complaints, supports homosexuality, supports the murder of millions of infants through abortion, and opposes all moral issues our country was founded on which are Judao-Christian. In addition, this government does not support Israel. We are guilty of not standing up to this immoral government and pronouncing the word of God. Many pastors will not discuss God’s words in the Bible because they are afraid they will lose a tax exemption!!! We are in the days of the church of Laodicea, and we are responsible.
Please remember that the sins which the US has succumbed to are the very sins which are promoted 24/7 by Hollywood, which is entirely owned and operated by jews.
They are also almost exclusively responsible for the massive US pornography industry, operating out of California and New York.
Tel Aviv is the international capital of sodomy.
The US embassy there has the rainbow flag of the catamite flying proudly at its masthead.
The term Judaeo-Christian which is so freely bandied about is anathema to the God you speak of.
Judaism is founded foursquare on “The wisdom of the rabbis”; as presented to us in the Talmud, and by r. Jonathan Cahn, which promotes paedophilia, ( baby girls younger than three are fair game, as are boys younger than nine ); bestiality ( ” a priest may marry a woman who has had intercourse with a beast” ) theft, “The property of a Gentile belongs to the first jew who finds it”; murder, “Even the best of the Gentiles should be killed” ( r. Simon ben Yohai ) and lying; as in the Kol Nidre prayer.
Are you still so sure that America was founded on Judaeo-Christian values?
I am just curious if you personally read Cahn’s book yourself or just the book by James. I ask this because you say the gospel message is not included and that is the full message of the last few chapters. I, too, am a pastor and study of God’s word is my life. God can use many avenues to bring people to repentance. did not feel you fairly represented what this book truly said, regardless of if you agree with parts of it. The Scripture in Isaiah was a boastful declaration by the people of Israel, a lack of desire to seek the One who could save them. A belief He was NOT needed, for they could do it on their own. Does this not represent America today? The other “coincidences” between those verses and what happened in America remain pretty amazing. Maybe we should be less dogmatic about a possible tool God can use to bring people to repentance. After all isn’t that the goal?
Leslie, thank you for your comments! The gospel was clearly shared in The Harbinger, and God used it as a “tool” like you said to make me dig into the scriptures and seek His will for my life – primarily to lead my family and others to faith in Jesus Christ.
The Lord God uses only His own word to bring souls to repentance. Hebrews 4, 12 makes the power of this Word abundantly clear.
He will not use a work of fiction; or a jewish false prophet.
Of this you may be sure.
Or a donkey?
America is a nation founded on God …
But which G*d?
As Israel is the example for the world to learn from, I believe it is okay to draw the parallels. In my experience the bible of full of parallels and so is history.
http://www.infoplease.com/askeds/us-jewish-population.html
Oh by the way, Gd’s covenants is with His people the Jews, not with a country.
I, too, am thankful for this good analysis of the book (and the recommendation of James’ book). I have three people who have been mesmerized by Cahn’s book and are “insisting” that I read it. Your work will help me as I read it to be able to point them to the real lessons to be learned about exegesis (no matter how fascinating the theories might be).
I read this article because I wanted different perspectives to what I found in Harbinger,, You make some very good points?. however your argument is flawed in a very critical way? you say one of the reasons to disavow Cahn’s perspective is his interest in Jewish mysticism – Kabbalah?. However I would think that you as a Minister, Priest or Christian preacher would know that all of the prophets in the Torah would have done at the very least a marginal study of Kabbalah as Rabbi’s to their people ? I say marginal because the Kabbalah was a direct path for the Hebrew prophets to their prophecies? I realize that prophecies come from God and God alone – but Kabbalah was the mystical path that the prophets would use to attain the prophetic states,,,
And in these states they would receive their prophecies? would you dispute this?
The Kabbalah (modern spelling/ in ancient times I understand it was known merely as QBL) was used exclusively by the priestly class of Hebrews up until the last few centuries as a matter of fact… until it was co-opted by Western magical traditions? whereby it became available to average people who hadn’t prepared themselves spiritually ? and therefore weren’t fully prepared to appreciate the tradition?
The Rabbi had to prepare himself for decades before he was even allowed to examine the QBL ? a few of the conditions were ? he must be married, be at least 30 yrs old, have purified himself in certain Jewish ways diet prayer etc, and he must be a Rabbi?.
Please don’t make an ancient holy tradition a modern anti christian or pagan phenomenon ?. or something to disparage?. as it has its roots in the most ancient Judaism and much of the Torah was written by Kabbalists and is coded in ways only Kabbalists can understand,,, FYI (but I imagine you probably already know this)
That is one of the reasons I find it hard to listen to Christian interpretations of the Old Testament – selective interpretation? the very thing you accuse Cahn of?.
cheers
charlie word
You are so far from the truth, it is frightening.
Just a small pointer for you, perhaps you could explain to us how Samuel prepared himself for years to receive the Word of God. He didn’t; he was chosen before he was even born, just as Jeremiah was chosen.
“Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations”.
This is interesting. For six months, i put off my friend, who insisted i read this very important book, because it looked exactly like, or much worse, than you’ve depicted here.
i know very well that people see what they want to see, and many may read this, seeing more than a parallel. i had no trouble leaving it as a parallel & pattern: it is a pattern given us often in Scripture, and a discerning (amateur) historian can see it elsewhere on the world stage. The rabbi tells us quite often in the course of the book that he’s only giving us a pattern. Personally, i would’ve had a hard time missing that point. The USA is not in Scripture; this book has not changed my thinking on that score.
i saw the story’s speakers as nonbelievers convinced against their will, people who knew little or nothing about Scripture & Biblical history. The book has renewed my awe at “God in the details,” His sovereignty, and His mercy – as well as renewed in me an urgency to share my faith.
i’ve had no training in exegesis or hermeneutics, but it seems to me that the passage is more about King Ahaz’s time. My critique of the book would say that he doesn’t go into the prophecy’s time ENOUGH.
That the Child verse is about Jesus, i can accept – prophecy does reach beyond its own time – but the entire passage is rooted in Isaiah’s time. It’s a story told three times in Scripture, in Isaiah, II Kings, and II Chronicles. We need to pay more attention to it.
Well I think this exegesis of your exegesis of his book is shameful I think you are a hater with nothing else to do you’re ticked off because you believe you are a man of God with a message yet God has given you a message worthy of the end-time bride so you take the time and waste your energy breaking down another man’s prophetic word I feel sorry for u when you stand before God in the White Throne judgement if you make it that far because “if my people” that being you and me, if this is your attitude then I guess I can’t count on you for any help in these last days but I’m going to continue to fight because I have the confirmation of the Holy Spirit in my spirit. you are simply a hater. go watch television starting with Disney and leave the meatier things of the word to those of us who are called. Maybe you will learn something about the NWO
Dude if you can’t find the Gospel message in the last 15 minutes of the Harbinger Decoded you are beyond lost
Amazingly you spend a lot of time studying his materials obviously because you have no written materials of your own to study yourself maybe you should simply either turn the TV off change the channel or move on you sound like a groupie and you are a bold faced liar
I can just imagine what you would have to say about mark Biltz and the blood moons
“The Harbinger” is fiction, in the same manner as La Haye’s “Left Behind” series is fiction; however, it is based upon historical facts, which link ancient Israel with America’s founding.
God made a unilateral, unconditional, blood sworn, everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants through Jacob (Israel). There is no such covenant that God has made with America; however, from the Pilgrims to George Washington 170 years later, America embraced a unilateral consecration to the God of the Bible. Any nation whose god is God and remains obedient to His principles and dedicated to His purposes will be blessed. America is exceptional. Exceptionalism is manifest in the stability, liberty, prosperity and benevolence, all of which come to any people who follow the Bible.
The link of America’s recent history to the pattern of judgment expressed in Isaiah 9:8-10 is not owing to any mystery. Scripture clearly describes the spirits of arrogance and pride of the leaders of ancient Israel in stating verses 9-10. The link is made not by allegory, but rather from the 3 fold repetition of those verses being misapplied by our nation’s leaders as a rallying cry and encouragement to America. The 3 utterances are by Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschell on 9/12/01, Jonathan Edwards on 9/11/04 and by President Obama’s paraphrase, “We will remember. We will rebuild. We will come back stronger!” inscribed on the highest beam installed in the construction of the Freedom Tower. If there is a flawed hermeneutic, it is the foolishness of politicians of pronouncing the words which bring judgment upon the northern Kingdom of Israel.
Bible “scholars” who have brought us the literal grammatical historical hermeneutic, have also undermined the True Church with such foolishness as Higher Criticism and the search for the historical Jesus. While the Harbinger is fiction, the actual 9 harbingers for America are fact, including the fate of the conifer planted to replace the sycamore in front of St. Paul’s Chapel. The replacement tree died in April 2014, corresponding to America’s leaders “doubling down” on arrogance and rejection of God.
Ours Bible “professors” have also brought us three Isaiahs, Daniel being written late in order to discount prophecy. Finally, the literal, grammatical historical hermeneutic does not forbid topical application of Scripture. In this case, the application is made to God’s pattern of creating and dealing with nations. As we are a nation whose leaders have abandoned the God of our fathers, the conditional consecration made by the Pilgrims and George Washington is nullified by our reprobate leadership in response to a largely reprobate and godless citizenry.
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Daniel in the lions den, goes down in a day.
Nebuchudnezzars vision 2500 years.
Assyyria …. when was thatthat??
History shows. …
” Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” John 4:1 I look at a man’s character. “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” Cahn takes the Lord God’s name in vain in more than one instance in his writing of the Harbinger. “But the things that come out of a person?s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” Matt 15:18
I do believe there could be another shake down around the time indicated, Whatever God’s plans are will prevail. However this does not have to hang over our heads as Christians because God has promised to be with us no matter what happens. He IS our Jehovah Jireh –“The Lord will provide”. Satan has knowledge of God but his prophets teach without hope. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that?and shudder.” –(James 2:19) Our entire hope as Christians, is “If you declare with your mouth, ?Jesus is Lord,? and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
Mim Mim Mim….smh…..
The man comes before Congress and the United Nations and claims Jesus Christ and you guys criticize him. I seen a girl cry hear eyes out and want Jesus in her life. What should I do, tell her his a liar. You lukewarm people, Christ says he will spit you out
Does anyone truly believe that today’s modern, seminary-educated pharisees are more in tune with God’s message than a spirit-filled Rabbi like Jonathan Cahn?
The Hebrew pharisees of Jesus’ day split the same ungodly hairs, only the word “hermeneutics” had not been invented yet.
My only issue with Rabbi Cahn is that Harbinger should not have been a novel. I understand why he did it, as being a novel will likely widen its readership. I juts personally prefer that it had been stated as a declaration of his faith and knowledge.
Thank you very much for your well-written, concise article refuting the hermeneutics of the author of “The Harbinger.” You wrote this blog article TWO YEARS AGO, and just this morning (May 17, 2015), an older gentleman in the Sunday School class I teach stayed for 20 minutes after class was dismissed to share with me a summary of “The Harbinger” (which he’s shared with me before…cringe!) and the new book “The Shemitah.” This man is completely convinced that God’s judgment on America is happening this year before the end of September (thanks to the sequel), he’s completely freaked out. He HAD to be sure to share this information with my family (I am glad he did not disrupt the class with this). Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to discuss this topic logically as he’s become utterly convinced that all the “evidence” in the books points to God’s imminent judgment on America.
Let me say this first: There is no doubt that America needs to turn its heart back to God. No doubt about that.
My contention with the poor hermeneutic and byproduct of false teaching is that (1) America is not the ‘chosen people of God’ (that’s Israel’s place), and (2) Jesus fulfilled the law, so even if we were God’s chosen people (which we are not), Christians are no longer under the law. These are indisputable facts.
However, since there are so many ‘coincidences,’ this man in my class cannot fathom that it does not apply to us. And he’s not the only one. There are many Christians who are anti-intellectual and anti-educational training (i.e., they don’t think Christians need any training on how to handle the Scriptures such as hermeneutics…google/wikipedia are enough, right?! LOL) that they will refuse to see this man’s abuse of Scripture. It’s unfortunate.
MY question is this: If God is going to come down in judgment on anyone, wouldn’t it be the church? Isn’t the church the new Israel? And if this is the case, don’t we see God’s judgment on the church already? Is God’s judgment persecution? I don’t think so, since Christians have been persecuted since the very beginning, and our Savior was crucified. Maybe the judgment is simply that people are turning their backs on our message. They are rejecting the hypocrisy. I don’t know. But I’m pretty sure that God’s judgment on His people will not be limited to the Christians in America.
Laura, very nicely worded. Thanks for bringing up that The Church is God’s chosen people not another nation that was never mentioned in scripture.
Laura…I find it sad, and as a fellow believer, extremely disappointing for you to judge Jonathan Cahn and or the message of his books. At the time of your comment above, it is evident you had/have never read either of Mr Cahn’s books. Yet based upon the second hand report of one who did (whether he represented the books accurately for 20 minutes, or not…OR whether you properly interpreted his sharing), you draw many false conclusions which you feel the need to address. Based on how you have formed your opinion of Mr. Cahn, any critique of him, by you, is nothing more than uninformed slander and/or malicious gossip…hopefully unintentional. is this the “educated, intellectual, hermeneutically correct” process which you refer to, that we should apply in determining the “abuse of scriptures?” The “abuse of scriptures” which you have literally, falsely and blatantly accused this loyal and devout servant and messenger of God of doing. You have done so here publicly…I suggest you repent of that statement, and apologize in the same way you proclaimed…publicly, but add humility this time. Sincerely, a brother in Christ, Randy
Dr. Eckman, you wrote, “The simple Gospel message is missing in The Harbinger?and that is a glaring omission…” Either you did not read the entire text of The Harbinger or you are prevaricating to add impact and credence to your critique. Which is it? Chapter 21, titled ‘Eternity,’ contains the gospel message: that all have sinned and are separated from God, that Jesus (Yeshua) died and rose to redeem from sin all who would accept this gift by faith. This book is a strong soulwinning tool as well as an important call for Christian repentance. I think you owe Mr. Cahn an apology.
You state that “the entire Mormon faith rests on the proposition that America is where the ?lost tribes? of Israel came after the Assyrian invasion in 722 BC.” This statement reveals the mystery that many form uninformed judgments without any due diligence. The “entire Mormon faith rests” upon Christ. The opening character in the Book of Mormon was Lehi, of the tribe of Manasseh (son of Joseph), who lived the in greater Jerusalem area among the Tribe of Judah. The Northern Kingdom of Israel which became the “Lost Tribes,” due to the actions of Assyria, was carried away about 100 years before Lehi. There is no one who understands the Book of Isaiah better then Lehi. He and his family carried the Hebrew Bible, up to Jeremiah, with them as they were led over the Seas to America. If you wish to see some amazing prophecies about the modern Gentiles in America, see the Book of Mormon. This book has much greater prophecies about America than Cahn’s credible offering. 🙂
For those who are against Jonathan Cahn…The Bible is the only true word of God yes, but wouldn’t you think that if people are turning away from God and not reading their bibles, that God wouldn’t come up with a way to get a message of end times out to his people?
The harbinger has all the biblical proof it needs, and no, America has not taken the place of Israel, what has happened is that after the death and resurrection of Jesus a new covenant has been given to all humanity. America just happens to be a nation that the whole world looks up to, why because it was a nation dedicated to God. It is obvious that like many nations in the bible, America flourished, it was blessed by God because of the dedication our founding fathers made and continued their fear and faith in God…so what happens to a nation that turns away from God? The only issue I have with Jonathan Cahn is that he calls himself by a title Jesus said not to call anyone but himself but it doesn’t mean that he is not of God and not being utilized by God.
The Harbinger calls for America to return to God and nothing more, it is exactly what God wants. America regardless of how other countries feel about it, will always be looked up to…America was supposed to stand for truth, God’s way, it was supposed to be the model for prosperity under God, just look at our history.
Destruction will come to this earth no doubt but the people who are under the new covenant (meaning all humanity but those who believe) will be protected…in that sense America is just a representative of that covenant. We are saved if we simply believe in Jesus and do what our God has called us to do. So in plain and simple terms…obedience to God is the only way to live.
The devil knows he is doomed and obviously according to scripture is doing everything in his power to take us all with him…
God will destroy the earth regardless, it is written but he will wait for others as long as there is faith in him, just like in the Noah Days, just like Sodom and Gomorrah, and we know of those outcomes. The more we push God away, the faster the end will come. Honestly, and I speak for myself but I want off this earth ASAP, it is God’s mercy we are still here so that we as humanity repent…remember to follow God and lead by example people in the dark who wish to walk in light will follow…don’t try to do the work Jesus has already done. God Bless
IF the Harbinger is a word from God, then you are attacking a messenger from God and God himself. Why are you not fighting the real enemy instead of using your great philosophical knowledge to tear up other Christians? This is pathetic waste time that could be spent reaching out to the lost. People see crap like this and decide they don’t want to be Christians.
AMEN!!!
Regardless of whether or not Johnathan Cahn had “correct exegesis”, I will tell you this.
He is ABSOLUTELY right to draw a parallel between Israel and the United States.
In late 1986- early 1987 the Lord spoke to me.
It started with an extremely vivid dream. I have only had 2 of these types of ‘dreams’ in my life. Both were of such an unusual nature and even quality, that I knew they were supernatural. I NEVER wake up in the middle of the night, and I hardly EVER dream. When I do, my dreams generally are fragmented, hazy, and fall apart quickly to the point where I hardly ever remember what they were about, and when I do, I only remember sketchy parts of the. Not so in this case. But lest you think all I had was a dream… let me just get to the point.
I was flying above the earth with an angel to my left. I couldn’t see him, but I knew he was there. I also knew that we were flying over the United States. Beneath us were rolling green hills. The angel said to me, “God’s Hands are upon all this Land.” I immediately woke.
In wonder, I wrote the dream down because of it’s highly unusual nature & quality. It felt REAL. I felt like I was really there. It was like NO dream I had EVER had in my entire life! Thinking on it, but not thinking to ask God for clarification, I thought… well.. “God’s Hands upon all this land” must mean God is blessing us. Cool. But it never occurred to me to wonder.. why did God go to all this trouble to give me a dream simply to tell me that He was blessing us?
I had to go to work, so I was getting ready as I thought about it. But then I put it out of my head.
As I was walking across the room, headed to the door, A VERY LOUD VOICE SPOKE TO ME! I know it sounds nuts, but it is ABSOLUTELY TRUE. As I was walking, this very loud voice said, “AND ALL OF CANAAN WAS UPON THE LAND.” I was so shocked, I literally STOPPED IN MY TRACKS!
This was… wow, Holy…!!!! I was still a fairly new Christian. I mean.. I was newly born again. I had been brought up catholic without ever having answered prayers my whole life. But God had saved me, and when He did, He poured His spirit out on me in such a powerful way that I KNEW that He is real, KNEW that He loved me, that He knows me etc. It was the most amazing experience of my entire life.. until now!!
Again, rather than ask God to clarify.. I began to reason as I resumed heading out the door to go to work.
God gave us the United States like He gave Israel Canaan, right? And like Canaan, our land was like a “land flowing with milk and honey” , ie plentiful in it’s resources. Again, I assumed that God was saying He was blessing us. I couldn’t have been more wrong 🙁
A couple months later, I was reading the scriptures as I sat in my parent’s home. I had been in the habit of reading almost constantly. I was so hungry to learn about God and our relationship to Him. So I was sitting there reading about Israel and their backslidings in the land of Canaan. It wasn’t intentional that I happened to be reading that particular portion of the Bible.. i just was. I hadn’t thought about the dream and voice I had heard in a while, and I made no connection. I had simply assumed God was blessing us and put it out of my mind. But as I was sitting there reading, something majorly incredible (again) happened…
Suddenly it was as though the air in front of my face ‘parted’.. like there had been a transparent layer that I couldn’t see until it moved.. and a flood of what I perceived as ‘information’ came out of that … portal(?) and went INTO me. It was like I ‘saw’ it go into me. And then I heard God speak to me internally. This is what He said:
“Just as I gave Israel the Land of Canaan, so also I gave you (plural) the United States.
Just as Israel forgot My words, intermarried with pagans, and adopted their customs, practices, and gods,
so also have you (plural) done. And just as I judged Israel, so also I am judging you(plural) unless you repent as a Nation.”
How do I know it was God? Because at that time I had seen NO incidence of God’s people abandoning Him in favor of pagan customs, practices and gods. At the very least, I had not seen it in CHURCH. But that slowly began to change.. and now pagan practices, customs, and gods have literally FLOODED our country and our Churches! I bagan to see some sort of “New Age”(aka New Spirituality) things in churches.. but It was the “Name it and claim it” prosperity preaching.. which is so subtle that many just see it as biblical faith. But over time, Eastern religious practices, teachings, New Age/New Spirituality teachings and practices literally INVADED Church circles. The whole contemplative, mystical, “spiritual disciplines”, thing.. “soaking”, “centering” breath “prayers”, then yoga, labyrinths, and on and on, came FLOODING into the Churches. The “Be still and know I am God” scripture being used (out of context) to support basically Transcendental meditation with a Christian face. There has been SO much of an influx of all these pagan practices and teachings flooding the church that I simply have no alternative but to see it (and the “Emergent” “church”) as EXACTLY what God had been warning me about. And there is much more.
False workers have infiltrated the churches, deceiving people to accept these pagan practices and teachings which are portrayed as being “ancient Christian (or Hebrew) spiritual disciplines” and many in the churches have bought into it. Add to that acceptance by Christians of other “pagan” customs and practices. Add to that the woman’s conference where many women turned AWAY from God to worship “Sophia” (wisdom) and to celebrate this “goddess” with a communion of Milk and Honey – and they have made a Crucifix, with a WOMAN on it in place of Jesus Christ.
So much has happened since the Lord spoke to me, that it literally boggles the mind. I KNOW that I heard from God. Satan does not draw attention to pagan practices in the Church and tell us to repent or face judgment. But GOD is known for doing so. He is ALSO known (for those who claim God would not judge other nations besides Israel) to Judge other nations. READ the SCRIOPTURES and see how He judged Israel with Babylon, then judged Babylon with the Medes and Persians.. etc. Look and see that he judged NINEVEH. God warns the Nations to REPENT of their sins or face His Wrath just as He used Noah to warn the nations before the Flood.
And God judges HIS people before He judges the world. Right now, He is judging the U.S. Because in spite of what many would have people believe, He DID give us this nation. And this nation WAS dedicated to Him. Not long ago, I don’t know what the figures are now, but not long ago, a full 86% of the people of the United States of America claimed themselves to be CHRISTIAN. And GOD sees us as HIS people who have largely turned our backs on Him to worship other gods.
HE doesn’t look at each individual and say.. oh, well they never knew me so I won’t judge them. No. HE considers the children of His people to be HIS people. The children are HOLY, even if they are the offspring of a believer married to an unbeliever.
People can think what they will.. but God IS judging us, and if we refuse to repent, He WILL continue to judge us. Whether that will end with us losing our land, I don’t know. It ended that way for Israel. All I know is what He told me, and what I have seen since then. And the wickedness of this nation, rather than reverse, has only continued to increase. Yes, God IS judging our nation. and sadly, It does not seem that we are going to repent AS a Nation, anytime soon. God help us.
Thank you for this.
My mother has been touting Cahn’s books as surefire warnings and accurate measurements for when the end of days occurs, but I’ve tried countering. She doesn’t listen. It may be because the church she switched my entire household over to is lead by a pastor who also encourages his congregation to read Cahn’s books.
I do not doubt that Christ will return, nor will I argue against the fact that Americans need to repent. However, I’m in the same mindset of Laura Zielke. I worry that too many people will take this bad teaching hook, line, and sinker.
The thing I want to ask most is this: what happens if there’s no financial collapse in September or October of 2015? What will Cahn say then, and does it mean the rapture of believers will not happen as soon as Cahn and others like him claim? If what my mother touts is true, perhaps I should abandon my calling to teach at the university level and drop out of college immediately?
I know I shouldn’t be so crass, but the more I hear Cahn’s books touted as “evidence”, the more cynical I become.
Matthew, Try reading the book for yourself! Look up some of Jonathan’s messages, and listen to what he believes…for yourself…with your own ears! I have no idea what your Mom says, but I can promise you, it is obvious that much of what you claim regarding Mr Cahn is drastically misinterpreted. He has NEVER set a date! He ALWAYS starts by cautioning…”we cannot put God in a box” and “He doesn’t have to do anything in the timing that we think”…etc, etc. I have read both of Jonathan’s books, listened to hundreds of his messages (including the message he delivered in Washington at Obama’s last presidential inaugural breakfast, AND the message he delivered more recently, before the delegates of the United Nations, where he was invited to speak on behalf of persecuted Christians and peoples of the world…look that or those up for yourself online and see for yourself what a man of God he is!). I have met his beautiful wife and children, attended services at “The Jerusalem Center” where he is pastor, met and spoke with many in the congregation. My wife and I toured Israel with he, his family and others in November 2014, we have broke bread together, watched the sunset over the sea of Galilee as we drifted in a fishing boat near where Jesus walked on water. I listened to him teach from the top of Mount Carmel where Elijah made his famous stand against the false prophets of Baal, and taunted the servants of, and ridiculed this false God and mask of satan…Baal. We walked together on the shores of Galilee, we relived the story of David and Goliath very near to where that battle took place in the valley of Elah. He oversaw the baptism of my wife and I in the Jordan river, then led the way to where Jesus performed his first miracle at the wedding feast. It was there, in an olive orchard, where Jonathan spoke a powerful gospel message, and followed it up with a re-dedication ceremony where my wife and I renewed our wedding vows after 38 years of marriage. We walked together in the footsteps of many old and new testament prophets and teachers throughout the promised land. I stood at his side early one morrning looking out over the Valley of Jezreel and Armageddon from the top of mount Persippas where the angry mob sought to throw Yeshua/Jesus our Messiah off the cliff. As we drew near Jerusalem one night, we stopped in a pasture area on a hillside overlooking old Bethlehem…here, we sang Christmas carols and worshiped together, and sang praises to the “Lamb of God!” We entered the old walled city of Jerusalem through the ” Lion’s Gate”. We ascended to the temple Mount, where Jonathan led us around, while reminding us of how it was before the temple/s were destroyed, and the amazing biblical historical events that have taken place on that very spot..as well as the future events yet to happen here! Again he taught the message of our Messiah as we stood on the Mount of Olives, from where Jesus departed after the resurrection, and to where He will return. From here, we had a beautiful view across the valley, of the temple Mount and the eastern Gate, through which Jesus shall enter one day in the future. (BTW, there was NO mention of any date/s here or anywhere else in any of prophetic events yet to come). Yes, I listened to Jonathan’s messages from the gospel in all of these places and many more throughout Israel…each and every one relevant to the location we were in, fully annointed by the Spirit of God, powerfully delivered and full of love! Toward the end of Jonathan’s teaching at the pool of Bethesda, he felt led by God to pray for healing, (I know right…pretty appropriate place to do so.) It was a simple, sincere prayer, no fanfare, no drama, no shouting, just humble hearts reaching out to God. The Lord touched me during that prayer and I was miraculously healed of a painful and physically restricting problem which I had been dealing with for years, and for which my doctors claimed there was no cure or operation. Nearing a year and a half later now and all remains well. Praise be to our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, Yeshua ha Mashiach! And I can say with all assurance that this devoted man of God (Pastor Jonathan Cahn), is thrilled to hear my praise to none, other than our Messiah and redeemer, this Lamb of God, the Glory of Israel, the Light of all nations, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah! I have been a believer and follower of Jesus for most of my adult life. During that time, i have always sought to follow ONLY the one and true living God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…the God who loved me enough to come to earth in the person of Jesus…to live, teach, suffer, die, and pass through hell on my behalf, that I might be saved from eternal death and suffering, and instead brought into His Kingdom and into His presence…forever…Of all the messages and books, songs and worship, prayers and communion that I have heard from, or shared with Pastor Jonathan since I first read his book in 2012, never have I once so much as raised an eyebrow at what he believes or teaches…he certainly needs not my endorsement, for he has very “broad shoulders” in the Lord, so to speak, and the annointing of God himself. However, as a brother in Christ, and one who has come to love and respect this man for all that he has done in and for the Kingdom of God, and, whether you realize it or not, has also humbly served you and I as a modern day servant, messenger and watchman of and for our Lord! Shame on any and all who serve the enemy/s of God by wrongfully accusing, and falsely slandering this man, and thereby causing division within the body of Christ. Encourage one another!! Love one another! Lift each other up! I will end with this…if I had to sum up in a few words or sentences the message that continually comes forth from the mouth/writing of Jonathan Cahn over the last 3-4 years, boiled down, condensed version of the condensed “Reader’s Digest” version…it would go something like this…”If my people who are called by my name should humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways and seek my face, then shall I hear from heaven and I will heal their land”. Return, repent! We need to return to our first love, return to the Lord and to the teaching of His Word. Seek His face. Dwell in His presence! Cast off all that you need to cast off (bad habits, lust, etc). Take up all that we need to take up…prayer, time in worship and praise, time in His word, DWELL in His presence! Shine your Light before all men in this darkening world. As the world becomes darker, the lights must become brighter. How long will you waver between gods…choose this day who you will serve! If the Lord be God, then serve Him!…If Baal is god, then serve him and receive your reward! Put not your trust in government, nor money, nor armies, nor weapons, trust not in the promises of mere men who cry peace, peace…when there is no peace. Do not bow down before political correctness, or world leaders, or false teachers and false prophets. Return, repent, decide, commit…bow down only before the Lord, the great I AM! Do not seek to bend and change the Word of God to fit your desires, wants, or cultures that blow this way, then that way, like a reed in the wind. Rather, we must bend, break and change our ways to fit the Word of the Lord. The enemy knows that his end is near, thus he goes about seeking to kill or destroy all that is God’s and take as many with him as he can. Trust in the Lord with all your heart…fully suit yourself in the armor of God, taking your shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of this filthy “accuser of the brethren”! Take your sword of the Word of the Lord, put on the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, and the breastplate of righteousness. And stand! Stand firm in the Lord, and in his Word! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, pray for her peace and protection as enemies surround. Pray for the redemtion of God’s chosen people!. Jew and gentile will once again be one in the Lord. As it was in the beginning of the age, Jew and gentile worshipping the Messiah together…so will it be as the end of the age approaches. Look around, it is happening now…..Baruch habba bashem adonai….Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord….In His love, grace, peace and joy…your Canadian brother, Randy
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BANANA
Just as Jonathan Cahn has made his case for the book so are they who disagree. I find it very entertaining that those of us that are not Bible Scholars can agree or disagree with either Jonathan Cahn or Jim Eckman. Both are individuals that have an agenda. I read the book for what it was sold as “Fiction/Suspense”. Nothing more, nothing less. It was good clean reading that makes you wonder how bad the world has become that books have to be written in order for people to go to the source of truth, God’s Word, the Holy Bible! We live in an era where religion has become synonymous with Christianity or being a Christ Follower. Unfortunately men and women will make their own conclusions about the book and take it as a divine message when all it was really meant to be was a good “Fictional/Suspense” novel.
I believe Jonathan Cahn was led by the Spirit to see a pattern in America as that found in Isa. 9:8-11; to be warning. As this is this the year of jubilee….super preparation for God’s people….those 8 things in II Pet. 1 increasing. The word of God should be getting brighter and brighter to the full day! We need a psalm 119 framework…..in which it spreads, with the other psalms; throughout the rest of the word of God. But we need to get a cup of coffee…..we need to Hebrews 4 into His rest. There is joy on top of the mountain! ….For example..I will call daleth, hebrew for “door,” 4th section of ps 119.(ea sect. is 8 verses)…This is the 4th letter of the hebrew alphabet. There are 4 words that start up in this section which starts at verse 32: debaq which is cleave, debar which is word, derek which is way or ways and delaph which is weep. The point is for example…way,ways is used 5 out 8 verses because His ways are higher than our ways.( Isa.55) Using the hebrew of this section…we have told of my ways and You have answered me….discard old book….get book of life!! Revive me according to Your word!!
The enemy is busy sowing the tares. However Jesus says he has already overcome the world. Harbinger or no Harbinger God is still in control of affairs of this sinful world. The Bible and all its prophecy are directed at all mankind apart from a few that are specifically directed at the chosen people — the nation of Israel for a specific purpose according to God’s wisdom. As the Bible says Only the just shall live by faih and without faith no man can see God. I’d rather we strengthen our faith in Jesus and prepare for his second coming than to bother about theological arguments which are basically heresies generated from the enemy camp.
The enemy is busy sowing the tares. However Jesus says he has already overcome the world. Harbinger or no Harbinger God is still in control of affairs of this sinful world. The Bible and all its prophecy are directed at all mankind apart from a few that are specifically directed at the chosen people — the nation of Israel for a specific purpose according to God’s wisdom. As the Bible says Only the just shall live by faih and without faith no man can see God. I’d rather we strengthen our faith in Jesus and prepare for his second coming than to bother about theological arguments which are basically heresies generated from the enemy camp.
Thank you for the discussion. The Word is awesomeand determines our faithfulness, as magnificence bestowed to us in this -our dwelling so let the Word guide.. With this attitude, I appreciate and agree with you; author
Jonathon Cahn is led through the Comforter to share, write, speak, graciously point to explored observations. We need not agree to every aspect author Cahn prescribes, only to think upon the Word. As servants of the Lord, we are called to both collectively and uniquely attend to the Word. Clearly the body of believers, -those who know the Lord Jesus as their Lord, are able to conceive the leg is not an arm, nor a foot a hand.
So as similarities are brought to our attention, we are in awe and thankfullness, much thrilled to be engaged further in investigation of the Word. As such, the Lord Jesus, in another incredible way – proves immense Joy -as promised – as every and all glory belongs to God.
..re the comments here- the good points re Cahn’s book, and especially comments addressing
Dr. Eckman’s negative & incorrect (off track) derision /summary of Cahn’s book -Thanks ! – especially comments by Thomas (Nov. 20, 2013), Micheal Broadhurst (Aug 26, 2013), David Beaudet (Feb. 26 2014),
Charlie Ward (Sept.24, 2014), Jeff Burgess (July 2, 2015), Gary Warner (Oct. 21, 2015).
Thank you for the discussion. The Word is awesome and determines our faithfulness, as magnificence bestowed to us in this -our dwelling so let the Word guide.. With this attitude, I appreciate and agree with the positive comments of ; author
Jonathon Cahn as being led through the Comforter to share, write, speak, graciously point to explored observations. We need not agree to every aspect author Cahn prescribes, only to think upon the Word. As servants of the Lord, we are called to both collectively and uniquely attend to the Word. Clearly the body of believers, -those who know the Lord Jesus as their Lord, are able to conceive the leg is not an arm, nor a foot a hand.
So as similarities are brought to our attention, we are in awe and thankfullness, much thrilled to be engaged further in investigation of the Word. As such, the Lord Jesus, in another incredible way – proves immense Joy -as promised – as every and all glory belongs to God.
And to many of you…Try reading the book for yourself! Look up some of Jonathan?s messages, and listen to what he believes?for yourself?with your own ears! I have no idea what others say, but I can promise you, it is obvious that much of what many of you claim regarding Mr Cahn is drastically misinterpreted. He has NEVER set a date! He ALWAYS starts by cautioning??we cannot put God in a box? and ?He doesn?t have to do anything in the timing that we think??etc, etc. I have read both of Jonathan?s books, listened to hundreds of his messages (including the message he delivered in Washington at Obama?s last presidential inaugural breakfast, AND the message he delivered more recently, before the delegates of the United Nations, where he was invited to speak on behalf of persecuted Christians and peoples of the world?look that or those up for yourself online and see for yourself what a man of God he is!). I have met his beautiful wife and children, attended services at ?The Jerusalem Center? where he is pastor, met and spoke with many in the congregation. My wife and I toured Israel with he, his family and others in November 2014, we have broke bread together, watched the sunset over the sea of Galilee as we drifted in a fishing boat near where Jesus walked on water. I listened to him teach from the top of Mount Carmel where Elijah made his famous stand against the false prophets of Baal, and taunted the servants of, and ridiculed this false God and mask of satan?Baal. We walked together on the shores of Galilee, we relived the story of David and Goliath very near to where that battle took place in the valley of Elah. He oversaw the baptism of my wife and I in the Jordan river, then led the way to where Jesus performed his first miracle at the wedding feast. It was there, in an olive orchard, where Jonathan spoke a powerful gospel message, and followed it up with a re-dedication ceremony where my wife and I renewed our wedding vows after 38 years of marriage. We walked together in the footsteps of many old and new testament prophets and teachers throughout the promised land. I stood at his side early one morrning looking out over the Valley of Jezreel and Armageddon from the top of mount Persippas where the angry mob sought to throw Yeshua/Jesus our Messiah off the cliff. As we drew near Jerusalem one night, we stopped in a pasture area on a hillside overlooking old Bethlehem?here, we sang Christmas carols and worshiped together, and sang praises to the ?Lamb of God!? We entered the old walled city of Jerusalem through the ? Lion?s Gate?. We ascended to the temple Mount, where Jonathan led us around, while reminding us of how it was before the temple/s were destroyed, and the amazing biblical historical events that have taken place on that very spot..as well as the future events yet to happen here! Again he taught the message of our Messiah as we stood on the Mount of Olives, from where Jesus departed after the resurrection, and to where He will return. From here, we had a beautiful view across the valley, of the temple Mount and the eastern Gate, through which Jesus shall enter one day in the future. (BTW, there was NO mention of any date/s here or anywhere else in any of prophetic events yet to come). Yes, I listened to Jonathan?s messages from the gospel in all of these places and many more throughout Israel?each and every one relevant to the location we were in, fully annointed by the Spirit of God, powerfully delivered and full of love! Toward the end of Jonathan?s teaching at the pool of Bethesda, he felt led by God to pray for healing, (I know right?pretty appropriate place to do so.) It was a simple, sincere prayer, no fanfare, no drama, no shouting, just humble hearts reaching out to God. The Lord touched me during that prayer and I was miraculously healed of a painful and physically restricting problem which I had been dealing with for years, and for which my doctors claimed there was no cure or operation. Nearing a year and a half later now and all remains well. Praise be to our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, Yeshua ha Mashiach! And I can say with all assurance that this devoted man of God (Pastor Jonathan Cahn), is thrilled to hear my praise to none, other than our Messiah and redeemer, this Lamb of God, the Glory of Israel, the Light of all nations, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah! I have been a believer and follower of Jesus for most of my adult life. During that time, i have always sought to follow ONLY the one and true living God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?the God who loved me enough to come to earth in the person of Jesus?to live, teach, suffer, die, and pass through hell on my behalf, that I might be saved from eternal death and suffering, and instead brought into His Kingdom and into His presence?forever?Of all the messages and books, songs and worship, prayers and communion that I have heard from, or shared with Pastor Jonathan since I first read his book in 2012, never have I once so much as raised an eyebrow at what he believes or teaches?he certainly needs not my endorsement, for he has very ?broad shoulders? in the Lord, so to speak, and the annointing of God himself. However, as a brother in Christ, and one who has come to love and respect this man for all that he has done in and for the Kingdom of God, and, whether you realize it or not, has also humbly served you and I as a modern day servant, messenger and watchman of and for our Lord! Shame on any and all who serve the enemy/s of God by wrongfully accusing, and falsely slandering this man, and thereby causing division within the body of Christ. Encourage one another!! Love one another! Lift each other up! I will end with this?if I had to sum up in a few words or sentences the message that continually comes forth from the mouth/writing of Jonathan Cahn over the last 3-4 years, boiled down, condensed version of the condensed ?Reader?s Digest? version?it would go something like this??If my people who are called by my name should humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways and seek my face, then shall I hear from heaven and I will heal their land?. Return, repent! We need to return to our first love, return to the Lord and to the teaching of His Word. Seek His face. Dwell in His presence! Cast off all that you need to cast off (bad habits, lust, etc). Take up all that we need to take up?prayer, time in worship and praise, time in His word, DWELL in His presence! Shine your Light before all men in this darkening world. As the world becomes darker, the lights must become brighter. How long will you waver between gods?choose this day who you will serve! If the Lord be God, then serve Him!?If Baal is god, then serve him and receive your reward! Put not your trust in government, nor money, nor armies, nor weapons, trust not in the promises of mere men who cry peace, peace?when there is no peace. Do not bow down before political correctness, or world leaders, or false teachers and false prophets. Return, repent, decide, commit?bow down only before the Lord, the great I AM! Do not seek to bend and change the Word of God to fit your desires, wants, or cultures that blow this way, then that way, like a reed in the wind. Rather, we must bend, break and change our ways to fit the Word of the Lord. The enemy knows that his end is near, thus he goes about seeking to kill or destroy all that is God?s and take as many with him as he can. Trust in the Lord with all your heart?fully suit yourself in the armor of God, taking your shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of this filthy ?accuser of the brethren?! Take your sword of the Word of the Lord, put on the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, and the breastplate of righteousness. And stand! Stand firm in the Lord, and in his Word! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, pray for her peace and protection as enemies surround. Pray for the redemtion of God?s chosen people!. Jew and gentile will once again be one in the Lord. As it was in the beginning of the age, Jew and gentile worshipping the Messiah together?so will it be as the end of the age approaches. Look around, it is happening now?..Baruch habba bashem adonai?.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord?.In His love, grace, peace and joy?your Canadian brother, Randy
There are TOTALLY so many sins America is guilty of, it’s sickening!
At 53 percent, America’s divorce rate is one of the highest in the world. Reportedly about 9 out of 10 divorces are initiated by the woman, and in fact because of it, there are a growing number of boycotts against American women! Recently, there has been a growing exodus of young American guys out of the United States of America, even including guys who are never married! They are going to the Philippines to find love, they are going to Russia to find love, they are even going to unlikely places like India, Germany, Poland, China, Japan, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, yes, even Mexico! All for the main purpose of meeting that special woman who will not divorce him!
American culture is socially disconnected. Whatever social atmosphere there is is confined to closed cliques. Americans have a proverbial “ice wall” around them, Americans like to live withdrawn into their own personal bubble, single people are treated with heavy disdain. Which is fueling the singles exodus even more.
The hatred Americans have towards people they don’t know is absolutely atrocious! Nobody ever likes to even bother helping someone in need. Even people who have tons of money to spare will not even give, say, $10 to a homeless person, easily enough for a decent sized dinner at McDonald’s or Burger King. Nor will they refer a homeless person to subsidized housing. All they care about is feeding their monstrous bellies and remaining in their own personal bubbles. Also, trying to interact with someone in one of those cliques will get a single person brushed away as if brushing away a pesky fly by the people of that clique.
American carnivals and county fairs are hotbeds of cruel and evil discrimination against single people. Many rides, especially a former favorite of mine, the Zipper, have a “No Single Riders” policy designed to let singles know that they have absolutely no business having fun in American society. If you were to think of James 2:2-4 as an example, American carnivals are doing far worse; they are like literally placing the man in gold rings and fine clothes in a recliner, and they are picking up and violently hurling the poor man in shabby clothes out the door like a ragdoll; yes, even (in their hearts) blasting the poor man in the shabby clothes with an AK-47 and then setting him on fire, and then placing armed military soldiers at the entrance to the assembly and to patrol the neighborhood where the assembly takes place with orders of “Shoot to kill” any more poor men in shabby clothing seen approaching even within less than a mile of the entrance to the assembly.
The trigger happy gun culture is also highly atrocious. Conflict arises between two or more people, someone pulls a gun, a few bangs, someone ends up dead, issue solved the American way.
American schools are practically about more evil than even Satan. More and more schools are banning hugs between students, even handing out detentions for hugging a classmate even to comfort a classmate having a bad day or whose favorite uncle or grandfather passed away. One school I am aware of, J Sterling Morton High school District 201 in Berwyn/Cicero, Illinois, even forbids it’s cheerleaders from talking to guys while in uniform! Not only are Americans living like demons, they are PUNISHING our CHILDREN for NOT living like demons! In American schools, the word “love” is seen as about as vulgar as the F-dash-dash-dash word!
[…] NOTE. See Dr. Jim Eckman?s ?The Harbinger: Right Message, Harmful Exegesis.?https://issuesinperspective.com/2013/02/13-02-23-1. […]
The message of this book is clear and anyone that wants to pick it apart is unfortunately missing the point.
Choice! God’s perfect plan gives every soul who has or will live, exactly what they want – their choice fulfilled.
The choice is to be with or without God for eternity and is only a heartbeat away. As far as the nation of America’s future, it has been foretold, the majority will not choose God, consequently getting exactly what they want. The remainder of us will spend eternity with the most high. What else could possible matter enough to influence choice against a novel that may help many make what I feel is the only favorable choice. God blessed us all – will you accept?
There are no new prophets according to Matt.11:11-13…But there is the gift of prophecy 1Cor.12:10…also we have the prophetic word ..The Bible ..11 Peter 1:19-21..I read the Harbinger..I found it very interesting..I understand that God judges sin in the people of the nations as His Holy will dictates..But I also understand that Israel is Israel..and that God in Gen.12 has shown us the importance of His mandate..I understand that 11 Cro.7:14 applies 1st to the Jews and second to the Gentiles…The blessings of salvation comes thru true repentance..and following The One who said “I’m the way,the True and the Life….!
Sabbatical Years? Hmmm…
Check out;
The Sign of Jonah: The 3 & 3 Factor
on Amazon.
After reading the argument against the Harbinger disapproving Johnathan’s work. Saddens my heart for, this man’s journey lead by the Spirit I believe is yet another way the God in His great love is calling out to America to wake up!
We should cheering one another on not fighting each other if we are on the Lord’s side!
I am reminded of the account found in Luke 9:47-
47And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
48And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
50And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
51And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to
Jerusalem,
We are also nearing our hour to be received up as was our Lord…who said no don’t cast off others because they are doing the good works of my Father in calling men to me differently then you!
They too are for us…as long as the doctrine of the Spirit are working in them.
I believe Johnathan is working the works of Him while it’s Day. And I love the way the Spirit takes him down those rabbit trails of truth using numbers…cause the Spirit does them same things with me.
I have gone on journeys no knowing I was on a journey using the amazing numbers hidden in plain view…that is until the Spirit opens it up to me.
The novel unfolds in an out-of-context: therefore, it is simply a fiction, this fiction is used to deny the first coming of Yahshua mashiach.It is very great what separates the messianic ones from the Torah of our YHWH, first they are Judaicos by everything