Audible Review / Print Giveaway: The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret to America's Future by Jonathan Cahn

This is a fascinatingly informative book, even though alarming.

The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret to America's Future
by Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by Jonathan Cahn

    LENGTH    7 hrs and 42 mins
    RELEASE DATE    06-13-12
    PUBLISHER    Frontline

Genre: Christian Fiction
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

(See Study Guide information below review.)

Publisher's Summary
Is it possible that there exists an ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's future? That this mystery lies behind everything from 9/11 to the collapse of the global economy? That ancient harbingers of judgment are now manifesting in America? That God is sending America a prophetic message of what is yet to come? Before its end as a nation, there appeared in ancient Israel nine specific warnings and omens of national destruction - these same Nine Harbingers are now manifesting in America with profound ramifications for America’s future and end-time prophecy.

Hidden in an ancient biblical prophecy from Isaiah, the mysteries revealed in The Harbinger are so precise that they foretell recent American events down to the exact days: the 3,000-year-old mystery that revealed the exact date of the stock market collapse of 2008… the ancient prophecy that was proclaimed from the floor of the US Senate and then came true…and more. The revelations are so specific that even the most hardened skeptic will find it hard to put down. Though it sounds like the plot of a Hollywood thriller - IT’S REAL.

The prophetic mysteries are factual but revealed through a riveting narrative the reader will find hard to put down. 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. As the story unfolds, each revelation becomes another piece in a larger and larger puzzle, the ramifications of which are, even now, altering the course of America and the world.
©2012 Jonathan Cahn (P)2012 Charisma House

Review:
The entire premise of the book is to show a parallel in the blessings and punishments prophesied in the Bible that effected ancient Israel and can be seen now as effecting America, once considered a Christian nation. The Harbinger notes that Israel was a nation of people chosen by God and blessed for their commitment to Him. Even though they were disobedient many times, God was slow to punish. He sent prophets with warnings but the leaders continued to turn away. Finally God exiled the people from their own land, just as He said He would, to punish them for abandoning His ways.

Mr. Cahn sets forth in The Harbinger that America’s foundation was established on Christian beliefs. The book shares a speech from George Washington giving thanks to God at the founding of our nation. The speech was presented at the first capitol of the nation, New York City... at ground zero. America has been a blessed country, becoming a super power within 200 years. But over the past fifty years we have allowed God to be removed from our society foundations. The Supreme Court declared school-sponsored Bible reading and recitation of the Lord's Prayer unconstitutional in 1963. Over the past decades protests have caused the ten commandments and nativity scenes to be removed from public properties. In 2013 evangelical Christians were listed on terrorist “watch lists” as potential government enemies.

The Harbinger sets forth a reasoned argument showing how the events of September 11, 2001 were a warning to America to turn back to God. The book outlines shocking coincidences where our government leaders reacted in the same way that Israel leaders did saying  "The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild...." (Isaiah 9:10.) Unknowingly several important leaders used the exact Biblical phrase that Cahn argues was not intended as a phrase of comfort but was actually a statement of defiance as the leaders insisted they, not God, would come back stronger. Cahn identifies in this story nine harbingers that are connected to the 9/11 attack and a second warning, as was true for the nation of Israel. Seven years after the terrorist attacks there was a financial crisis in 2008 that signifies another warning and continues the remarkable parallels protrayed by the author.

The nine harbingers or warnings are told in the form of riddles given to Nouriel by a stranger and shared through a narrative story told by Nouriel to a publisher friend. The tale is presented as a fiction but it is documented with facts and details.  Although not all readers will embrace the book from a Christian viewpoint, hopefully it will make readers think hard on the points presented and what some might scoff at as being "mere coincidence." I recommend to every single American who cares about the direction our government is taking our country that they read one or a combination of these books in print, audio, or the companion study guide.

Our ladies book club all agreed that they could not put the book down when they started it. We often read mysteries or romance or light fluff for fun but all agreed that this was one of the best books we have read together. We discussed what we could do to change the course of America in light of the warnings portrayed in the book. We can certainly pray but we agreed that, as noted in the book, we each have a duty to be a 'watchman on the wall’ - to give warning to others. We need to tell others that they should beware and prepare for more difficult times to come. It is ominous as we do not expect our government to change in the current state of affairs. But we have the assurance that our God is in control. He will be with those that call upon Him even though there may be trials ahead. We can be a witness of hope by sharing the message of God’s love and redemption.

Audio Notes: The audiobook is narrated by the author. He did a good, if not great, job of narrating. He clearly knew how to give proper emphasis and tone as he had intended when writing the book. The audio was quicker for me to read but I was glad to have the Study Guide to refer to.

I selected this book to be read and discussed by my local Ladies's Book Club as our first book for 2014.

 
I already had the book in print, on Kindle and on Audible, but I purchased The Harbinger Companion with Study Guide in print to help me lead the book club discussion.

I listened to the book on audio which I really enjoyed. I was also able to get my husband to listen and he read along in the print book. My husband is not a reader but he sat in front of the fireplace listening for two afternoons to finish the book. I followed the audio with the Study Guide which is a wonderful asset with pictures and charts to support the text.

The Harbinger Companion With Study Guide: Decode the Mysteries and Respond to the Call that Can Change America's Future-and Yours by Jonathan Cahn
(The link provided for the Study Guide includes both books for a price that is better than if purchased separately.)

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the gently used print copy of The Harbinger (not the study guide which my husband and I are keeping).

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