The Harbinger revisited, The Paradigm Visited 508-1 - 2 - 8

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn is, in my opinion, an outstanding Bible scholar and author. He can take threads from the past and apply them to 21st Century America. I started to read his most recent book, “The Paradigm: The Ancient Blueprint That Holds the Mystery of Our Times.” I decided first to revisit his book from 2011, “The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America's Future.”

The Harbinger compares the reaction of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, to the first invasion of the land by the Assyrians and that of the United States after 911. Neither Israel or the United States repented their sins, rather, they would rebuild even better. The leaders of the Northern Kingdom boasted, “The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.” Isaiah 9:10.

The attack by the Assyrians was “a shaking” that Israel ignored just as 911 was a shaking for America. Israel was later conquered and dispersed never to be regathered. Did we in America ignore our shaking?

The day after 9/11 Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle in a statement concerning a 'Joint Resolution of Condemnation for the September 11, 2001 stated the following: “But there is a passage in the Bible from Isaiah that I think speaks to all of us at times such as this: 'The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.'”

New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani and New York State Governor, George E. Pataki said much the same; Major Giuliani after the attack and Governor Pataki when dedicating the building of the "Freedom Tower" on the 4th of July 2004.

When he was the 2004 Democratic Candidate for Vice President John Edwards spoke the same verse while at a prayer breakfast. Again, no repentance and Senator Edwards careen was later destroyed.

It certainly appears that there are/ were many parallels in the rise and fall of ancient empires and contemporary America. For so long we been considered the leader of the free world and the most powerful country in the world. The American electorate twice elected a POTUS who seems determined to bring our once thriving country to its knees; a judgment from God for our falling away from Him and losing our moral compass?

Was the election of Donald Trump as POTUS a reprieve for our country? I pray so.

A footnote, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s 2017 “The Paradigm: The Ancient Blueprint That Holds the Mystery of Our Times” is quite a read. Again, very relevant to 21st Century America.

“The Harbinger” by Jonathan Cahn revisited 519-1 - 4 - 7

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.” [KJV]

Jonathan Cahn wrote a best seller titled “The Harbinger: The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's future” released 2011-09-03. The book compares the reaction of Northern Kingdom to the first invasion of the land by the Assyrians to that of the United States after 911. Neither the Northern Kingdom nor the United States repented their sins and with great defiance stated that they would rebuild even better.

As it was in the Northern Kingdom thousands of years ago so it is today in the US, defiance rather than repentance. The day after 9/11 Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle in a statement concerning a 'Joint Resolution of Condemnation for the September 11, 2001 stated the following: “But there is a passage in the Bible from Isaiah that I think speaks to all of us at times such as this: 'The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.'” [The Harbinger page 117]

New York City Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani and New York State Governor, George E. Pataki said much the same; Major Giuliani after the attack and Governor Pataki when dedicating the building of the "Freedom Tower" on the 4th of July 2004. [The Harbinger page 62]

When he was the Democratic Candidate for Vice President John Edwards spoke the same verse while at a prayer breakfast. Again, no repentance and Senator Edwards careen was later destroyed. [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=84922#axzz1M02bgo9D]

There is a message for America In the book the Harbinger. We started out as a very God centered and blessed country. We have mastered the trifecta of evil, abortion on demand, same-sex marriage and throwing Israel under the bus. God is dropping/ has dropped His hedge of protection from America. It is my prayer that it is not too late to salvage our country.

As an aside, three years ago I wrote a Sorites for an Issachar course based on Jonathan Cahn’s book and Isaiah 9:10.

Israel (Northern Kingdom) worships idols and is warned by the prophets

The prophets are ignored by an Israel who does not have ears to hear

An Israel without ears to hear is defeated by the Assyrians

A defeated Israel is a defiance Israel

A defiance Israel says we will rebuild

A rebuilt Israel fall falls again never to again be a nation.

America has/ is replicating the defiance of the Northern Kingdom. We have turned away from God and made idols of our celebrities, bigger homes and such. So another Sorites intentionally left open-ended.

We in America are to live by God’s commandments

The Commandments are ignored by a defiance America

A defiance America watches as her towers fall

The fallen towers inspire the still defiant America

An inspired defiant America has defiant leaders

Defiant leaders vow we will rebuild America

A rebuild America experiences an economic collapse in 2008

An economic collapse in 2008 results in major political changes

Major political changes give power to a very liberal administration

A liberal administration encourages a dependent, immoral society

A dependent, immoral society votes for four more years of the same liberal agenda

How does Isaiah 5:1-7 impact us here today? 532-2 - 15 - 1

About a year ago I answered is a discussion question in another KI class, "What is God’s greatest problem? How is it resolved?” God’s greatest problem is just how does a righteous God forgive sins without compromising His righteousness? Of our many sins one that I suspect that will really bring down God’s hedge of protection will be our arrogance and disobedience in our treatment of his chosen people.

According to CM, God's has three Alternatives:

#1 He can indulge it and allow it to go on forever;
#2 He can force man into automata;
#3 He can withdraw Himself.

IMO any indulging our sins by God, alternative #1, is quickly coming to an end. We are not automats so we are left with alternative #3. God can choose to withdraw himself from us by withdrawing His hedge of protection from America. Given world events, it would seem that any hedge of protection has long since been removed from many other countries and is being removed from American.

Jeremiah 19:3-5 as well as Isaiah 5:1-7 seem as applicable today as when they were proclaimed thousands of years ago.

In his book “The Harbinger: The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's Future” Jonathan Cahn discloses that when attacked by the Assyrians, those in the northern kingdom boasted, "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars." Isaiah 9:10. Rabbi Cahn said that 911 was a shaking, however, rather than repenting, two of our leaders quoted Isaiah 9:10 and most in the country wanted to rebuild the towers taller and better. We would seem that we are on track for a definite pruning.

Isaiah 5:6 includes “I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.” Interesting and timely article, “West Coast Is “On Track for Having the Worst Drought in 500 Years”

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/02/west-coast-track-worst-drought-500-years.html

And of course we are again meddling in Israel’s right to the land deeded to her by God in His unconditional covenant. Isaiah 5:5, “And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down.”

God will not be mocked and will continue taking down the hedge of protection that we in the United States have long enjoyed. Interestingly enough, a group of rabbis are reacting to John Kerry’s bulling of Israel and threatening an embargo. “U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is now being warned he’s risking the divine wrath of God if he continues plans for Israel that some feel is a war against the Almighty.”

http://www.wnd.com/2014/02/divine-wrath-of-god-threat-on-kerrys-head/#i8xP73o0msJdlgFD.99

Indeed, these are very interesting times that we live in.

How can NOT understanding God's plan for Israel affect our view of the current situation in the Middle East? 534-2 - 13-5

Not understanding God's plan for Israel leads to Replacement theology; the claim that as Israel rejected Jesus as Yeshua she forfeited the promises/ covenants made to her by God and these passed to the Church which became “spiritual Israel.” The concept of replacement theology marginalizes Israel and the Jewish people making it easier for the world to turn its back on the Jews, most notably during the Holocaust. Israel is all too often referred to as the aggressor and occupier of land given to her by an unconditional covenant of God. God will take care of Israel; Psalm 121:4, "He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" As for the rest us, Genesis 12:3, "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

For centuries America has been blessed by God most likely due to our support of Israel. That support has grown lukewarm and in my opinion, God is spitting us out; World events would indicate that any hedge of protection of God has long since been removed from many other countries and is being removed from American.

A resent panel discussion on the Trinity Broadcasting Network April 5, 2013 featured Bill Salus, Irvin Baxter and Jonathan Cahn; three diverse individuals with three diverse presentations.

http://www.itbn.org/index/detail/lib/Networks/sublib/TBN/ec/ltNzVvYToMaBfuM8seXT3nCAp2KkCSxt
Author and Prophecy Analyst Bill Salus presented a brief review of the Psalm chapter 83 prayer and a little about the Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39 scenario. Mr. Salus talked to the defeat of the “inner ring” of Muslim countries which will allow Israel to live in peace and un-walled villages, a prerequisite for Ezekiel Chapter 38 and 39. Mr. Salus authored the book “Revelation Road” that dealt with the fulfillment of Psalm 83. As the narration ended the battle of Psalm had ended, the Church had been Raptured and Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39 scenario was beginning. He also authored a book about Psalm 83 as well as a DVD.

Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn is the author of “The Harbinger: the Ancient Mystery that holds the secret of America's Future.” Rabbi Cahn's compared the reaction of the Northern Kingdom to the attack from the Assyrians to our reaction to 9/11 here in the United States. 9/11 was a “first shaking” of America to get our attention and an unanswered call to repent. Along with repenting, I believe it has to do with our turning our back on Israel. Perhaps the recent bombing at the Boston Marathon was another shaking.

Irvin Baxter Jr. is a Pentecostal minister and the founder and president of Endtime Ministries. Pastor Baxter presented his case for a post-trib Rapture and had little to say about Israel’s role in the tribulation. In my opinion, Pastor Baxter is more representative of the Christian community that either Mr. Salus or Rabbi Cahn.

Although TBN head Paul Crouch seemed confused and his son Matt rather uninformed, I’m grateful to TBN for bringing these men together.

Why should we love the Torah? BTE 502-03-5

One of my first KI classes Was Spiritual Disciplines One and it made a lasting impression on me. I remember Dr. Dan Stolebarger talking about the early followers of Jesus who turned the world upside down, oh that we would once more.

The story I remember so well was that after the Rabbi handed out copies of the Torah to his five year old students he would put a dollop of honey on it. He would have the children taste the honey; Psalm 119:103, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" This would of course make a very lasting impression upon his young students.
So why should we love the Torah? The Torah has given us the history of the early Jewish race and good moral principles to live by.

First there's the creation story with the fall of man and the hope of redemption through the seed of the woman.

We learned of a society that had become so evil that God wiped it out with the exception of eight people, Noah, a righteous man, and his family. Through the story of the Tower of Babble we learned that when God says go and populate the world he means it. "And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." Genesis 11:6-7

Thousands of years later America now embraces many practices prohibited in the Bible. Our World Trade Towers came down and instead of taking this as a warning to repent, we defied God as did Israel; "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars." Isaiah 9:10. The book "The Harbinger: The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's future" by Jonathan Cahn is a fascinating and timely read.

The history of the patriarchs is captivating. In Jacob’s and Joseph's time, the Jews went into Egypt as a family and came out as a nation. Moses certainly had his hands full and shows us that even this exemplary man could blow it at the last minute. Moses had to wait until his meeting with Jesus on the the Mount of Transfiguration to gain entry into the promised land.
Jesus said that Moses wrote of him thereby eliminating any question about the validity of the Torah. Wonderful as the Torah is, we Christians are not under the law. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

So many wonderful stories in the Torah, so many lessons to learn and so few words allowed in this exercise.