The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn

I saw this book at Walmart and it caught my attention.  It looked like one of those archaeological/theological/prophetic thrillers I like to read, for better or worse.  It was in the Christian section, which was a good endorsement for me.  Picking it up and looking more closely, it gave kind of a backhand slap of a testimony for it, saying something along the lines of "If you loved The da Vinci Code you'll love this!"  I read that one years ago when it first came out and was sweeping the world in sales.  It was a fast-paced, but very ill-advised and misguided book that probably didn't help Christianity one little bit, making Jesus seem like he ended up creating a family with Mary Magdalene and therefore having holy progeny down through the generations.  Poppycock.

Before clicking "Buy Now" on the Kindle, I did a little research on The Harbinger and found out that it was written by a Messsianic Jewish rabbi from the NYC area.  That was plenty enough for me, and I didn't mind the da Vinci Code reference at all, because if it drew in non-Christians to read it because of that, then more power to Cahn and company to spread this message.

The gist of this book is that Cahn links the past eleven years of American history, post-9/11, to the downfall of the Jewish nation in the 700s BC, specifically from Isaiah 9:10 and following.  The Scriptural links are astonishing, based on both the events of the past decade but especially on speeches and references made by our American leaders that seem to all coincide but in a separate, apparently random way.

I certainly agree with Cahn that America needs to come back to God, which seems to be his main point.  I wholeheartedly agree.  I also know, though, that a lot of readers will probably find his story (which he claims is all based on truth) to be hard to believe.  I believe it, probably mostly because I see the way America has seemingly turned its collective back on God, more and more each day.  Again, though, this book will be one that many will dismiss.  Too bad.

I would recommend this book for someone who would like to delve very deeply into Scripture, into prophecy, into history, politics and economics, and has an open mind to the hand of God still being very present in the world today, but would definitely not recommend it to someone looking for a da Vinci Code-style romp through archaeological popcorn entertainment.  It ain't that.  It's so much more.