Book Review of "The Harbinger" by Jonathan Cahn

BOOK REVIEW

The Rev. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois

“The Harbinger” by Jonathan Cahn, published by Front Line, 2012, ISBN 978-1-61638-610-8.

Years ago conspiracy theory ideas were sort of fun and interesting to consider.  I guess that most of them started with the JFK assassination but there were lots of conspiracy theory ideas long before this tragic event.

When I think of conspiracy theories I think of this book that I finished recently--“The Harbinger.”  The book is “sort of” a novel based on a verse from the book of Isaiah (9:10) with suggestions that the events of 9/1/1 and beyond and especially the building of the 9/1/1 memorial(s) in New York City are all forecast in Biblical prophecy.  Furthermore, this prophecy is finally being understood by a mysterious character in this book who reveals the nine “harbingers” to the heroine and, ultimately, to the author and all who care to listen.  The book admits that it is a novel but claims that everything covered in it is true.  I confess.  I’m skeptical.

The book suggests that even the stock market crash of 2008 and similar recent events such as national politics, elections, and personalities are all forecast in Biblical prophecy.  The somewhat innocuous verse in Isaiah 9:10, “The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones, the sycamores have been cut down but we will put cedars in their place,” suggest that God does not want a fancy memorial for 9/1/1 but wants people’s hearts to turn instead. 

While we would agree with this thought, I am reluctant to agree that, in the words on the cover of the book, that this is “the ancient mystery that holds the secret of America’s future.”  America’s future is certainly in the hands of our God and Lord and America’s future will only be determined by our willingness to repent and believe the Gospel.  Hey, maybe this is what this book is saying.  I hope so.  I just don’t like conspiracy theories.

If you want to read the book, check with me and I’ll loan it to you.  You might like it but you don’t have to spend the money.