The Harbinger

 Glenn Beck hosted Jonathan Cahn, author of the provocative book, “The Harbinger,” to discuss what is being called a work “framed in fiction” but based on “fact.” The premise of the book is that an ancient mystery harbors “the secret of America’s future” and offers the world a a precognition of events that have recently come to pass. The book has become controversial for its claims.

The Harbinger opens with the appearance of a man burdened with a message he has received from a mysterious figure called The Prophet. The Prophet has given him nine seals, each containing a message about America s future. As he tells of his encounters with the Prophet, from a skyscraper in New York City, to a rural mountaintop, to Capitol Hill, to Ground Zero, the mystery behind each seal is revealed.

The author maintains that the same “warning patterns” were evident in ancient Israel and are now reproducing themselves in modern-day America. The mystery comprises nine Harbingers, or omens, which include:

1. The Breach: The author posits that, because the U.S. was founded on “God’s word,” like Israel, we are blessed more than other nations. Conversely, if the populace turns away from God, (i.e. removing signs of God and prayer from public life) then, according to Cahn, the nation leaves itself vulnerable to losing those blessings.


2. The Sign of a Terrorist: In this harbinger, the author claims that Israel was attacked by Assyrians, of which al-Qaeda is a disciple. The book paints this common thread as a repeating pattern.


3. Fallen Bricks: This prophesy of course refers to the 9/11 attacks and symbolize the buildings which fell to ruin.


4. The Tower: This symbol is meant to represent the verse from Isaiah: “we will rebuild.” Like Israel rebuilt the Second Temple, so, too will America grow stronger again.


5. Gazit Stone:  Hewn translates to “gazit” in Hebrew. This harbinger is meant to symbolize the 20-ton quarried rock that was brought to Ground Zero. A ceremony took place over the rock in which Governor Pataki pronounced: ”Today, we, the heirs of that revolutionary spirit of defiance, lay this cornerstone and unmistakably signal to the world the unwavering strength of this nation, and our resolve to fight for freedom.”


6. Sycamore: There is of course the Sycamore of Israel, which the book likens to the Sycamore struck and fallen at the corner of Ground Zero. According to the book, it also refers to the Isaiah 9:10 — “The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.”


7. Erez Tree: The Erez, or Cedar, is stronger still. The book reveals that in November 2003 a crane hovering above Ground Zero lowered a Cedar tree into the corner space where the orignal Sycamore had been struck down. The Erez bears prominence in scriptures as a “tree of hope.” A ceremony was conducted in the spirit of “human defiance” after the new Erez was planted, but Cahn believes the participants were unaware of the significance.


8. The Utterance: Or the “the vow”


9. The Prophecy: This is ultimately what will set America’s course