fbpx

Our office will be closed from 9/25 – 10/23. Any orders placed during this time will be shipped upon return by 11/1/23.

Compass Logo Color

Article: Problems with "The Harbinger"

December 21, 2016

Share this article:

Problems with "The Harbinger"

by Bill Perkins

 

"The Harbinger,"written by Jonathan Cahn, is a New York Times best-seller and is accompanied by a companion DVD. The DVD boldly claims:"The #1 Christian Documentary of 2012"

Be careful, it's not a documentary, but rather, total fiction. And in his fiction, Cahn takes several scriptures totally out of context. And if you're not careful, this book can really screw up your theology. Here are some examples-

Cahn says Isaiah refers to America rebuilding theTwin Towers burningWorld Trade Towers in this verse:

"The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with smooth stones." Is 9:10
 
But using a literal hermeneutic, this verse is referring to Israel, was fulfilled in the past and has zero to do with the United States.

Cahn says that the first "harbinger" was Sept 11, 2001. But of course this was not the first time America's defenses have been breached. In the War of 1812 the British attacked America. They captured, occupied and burned Washington D.C.-- to the ground!

Cahn claims, among other things just as absurd, that 9/11 was secretly hidden in the Bible. This thinking is rooted in the horrible "Replacement Theology" doctrine. It claims America (or the Church) has inherited the blessings intended for Israel after she rejected the Messiah.

But a simple read of Romans 9,10 and 11 refutes that notion. God is NOT finished with Israel. In a nutshell, it clearly says God is NOT finished with the Jews.

"I say then, God has not rejected His people [Israel], has He? May it never be! Rom. 11:1

And a few verses later the Bible says:

"a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;" Ro 11:25

God predicted that Israel would reject the Messiah and therefore God hardened their hearts for approximately 2000 years.(Hos 6:1,2)

Israel-crosshairsBut then He would raise them up without His Spirit being in them, raise up Israel's remnants from the four corners of the earth and reestablish them in their homeland.(Ezek 37)

The Bible also said Israel would not lose its identity while dispersed over the world. And when reestablished, Israel would have a very strong army and be a burdening stone to the world. Amazing.(Zech 12:3)

Israel is still in God's future plans. The Church did not inherit Israel's blessings. America did not inherit Israel's blessings. Anyone saying otherwise is a false prophet.

But Cahn's attempt to somehow link America with 2Chron 7:14 takes the cake. (BTW- Cahn is not the only Bible teacher to incorrectly apply this verse to America.)

"[if] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

To try to somehow tie Christians repenting in America in order to heal our land is ridiculous. Paul Van Noy, Compass' doctrinal "go to guy," made a list of questions raised if you try to apply this verse to Believers.He states:

If "My People" refers to Christians in America then we have to draw several conclusions.
1) "My People" is the Church in America.
2) "...will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways..."
Suggests that God's people are engaged in pride, prayerlessness and wickedness; which may be true of some, but not all.
3) "I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin."
Suggests that God will listen to Christians and forgive their sins only if they humble themselves, pray, seek His face and stop sinning in order to be forgiven.

It would also suggest that the sins of Christians are not once and for all forgiven, but rather that Christians would have to continually humble themselves, pray, seek His face and stop sinning in order to be, or remain, forgiven.[i.e. a "works" doctrine]

* Has God ever said anywhere in the Scriptures that He is committed to America like He is to Israel?
* Has God (in the Church Age) ever healed a land because the Christians in the land stopped sinning?
* What form of healing are we referring to, as stated in II Chron. 7:13? Financial? Disease? Crime?
* Is there any prophecy of Scripture that says that GodBible Americawill heal any land but Israel?
* Has any "group" of Christians ever stopped sinning?
* Will God heal America if all Christians stopped sinning and the unregenerated still continue sinning?
* Will all Christians in America ever stop sinning?
* Is God holding America accountable for the sins of Christians?
* Will this rule apply to any other country? Canada? China? Russia?
* Can this be applied to a city? San Francisco? Damascus? Moscow? Beijing?
*Will the II Chron. 7:14 formula work in any country (other than Israel) if God has already said that the nations will not repent?
How many Christians have to repent? All? Some? Is God holding America accountable for the sins of Christians who Cahn claims are the "My people" of II Chronicles 7:14?

No one would deny that Christians in America sin. However, has God decided to hold in contempt Christians He claims to have forgiven and sanctified by His grace?

Is He going to judge America because Christians sin? Is he going to withhold judgment on unregenerated Americans if Christians stop sinning?

It seems that Cahn is mingling a functional form of Covenant style Theology with his Dispensational views.

When confronted with these problems, Cahn retreats to claim it's just a fiction book. But if it's fiction, why does he claim it's "The #1 Christian Documentary of 2012"?

In summary,The Harbingermay be an interesting read but you should be aware that we believe it teaches false doctrine.
Bill Perkins

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

To sign up for our FREE Monthly Compass eNews with updates on future Bible conferences, Bible trips, specials on DVD Bible studies and an eye-opening look at a hot topicClick Here

For more information or to sign up for our provocative FREEGood Morning Lord! Daily Devotional Email Click Here

For more information on our life-impacting Biblelands TripsClick Here

 
 

Share this article:

Bill Perkins
Written By:
Bill Perkins
Discover More Articles
Compass books
Compass Books
Check out Compass' selection of paperback, digital and audio books – from Biblically accurate historical fiction to hard-hitting, biblical topics.
Shop Books
Sign Up, FREE! Compass eNews
Get Compass eNews Articles straight to your inbox!
Get Signed Up
Support Compass International Shop on Amazon Smile

Support Compass Every Time You Shop!

Every time you shop on Amazon.com, you can be supporting Compass International using Amazon Smile - At no additional cost to you! Thank you for your support!
Start Shopping with Amazon Smile
Compass Logo
Biblelands Cruise Preview Image

The trip of a lifetime!

View Trip Details & Sign Up
Steeling the Mind

Steel-on-steel!

Learn More
Good Morning Lord Footer Preview

Who needs coffee!

Sign Up Today!
Compass eNews Sign Up Preview

Stay in touch!

Learn More & Sign Up
Footer Grand Canyon Preview Logo

Grand Canyon Tour

View Trip Details & Sign Up
Compass Footer Communique Preview

In Your Mailbox!

Read Now
Compass Pointe

Become a Compass Pointe

Learn More
Compass books

Compass Books

Compass Books
The Bible in 30 Minutes

Watch the Entire Bible in 30 Minutes!

Watch Now
Compass Read Romans 1

RR1 Read Romans 1

Learn More about RR1
Compass Millions Missing?

Millions Missing?

Discover This Resource
Compass TV Footer IMG

CompassTV

Watch CompassTV!
Compass International, Inc © 1993–2024, All Rights Reserved.
Contact Compass
Compass Icon 100 w
Follow Compass Ministry
Compass Team
Compass is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-denominational ministry based in Coeur d’Alene, ID, founded in 1993 by Bill and Susie Perkins. Our mission is to defend the accuracy of the Bible through our email Bible studies, Bible trips and cruises, missionary outreach, and Steeling the Mind Bible Conferences.
Support Our Ministry
Shopping cart
There are no products in the cart!
Continue shopping
0