What could an ancient pagan altar, Barack Obama and the spiritual trajectory of the Western world possibly have in common?
According to Jonathan Cahn, the connection is far more striking than most people realize.
In a recent conversation with filmmaker and commentator Dinesh D’Souza, Cahn unpacked mysteries from his new book, The Altar of Pergamon, tracing what he believes is a spiritual pattern surrounding the ancient Altar of Zeus. The massive structure once stood in Pergamon, one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation. Revelation 2:13 describes Pergamon as the place “where Satan’s throne is.”
But Cahn’s argument isn’t buried in ancient history. He believes the pattern extends directly into modern America, even to Barack Obama’s presidency.
To order Jonathan Cahn’s new book, The Altar of Pergamon, visit Amazon.com.
Speaking with D’Souza, Cahn pointed to Obama’s highly publicized 2008 visit to Berlin while he was still a presidential candidate. Cahn noted that Obama delivered his speech near the location where the Pergamon Altar had once been hidden during World War II.
“He gives a speech to the world about the world becoming one in Berlin,” Cahn said, arguing that Obama was unknowingly touching upon themes Cahn associates with the mystery of the altar.
However, Cahn believes an even more unusual connection appeared later that year.
When Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination in Denver, he spoke before an enormous set featuring Greek-style columns. The unusual backdrop generated plenty of discussion at the time, but Cahn says its design bears a remarkable resemblance to the Pergamon Altar.
“Not saying whether they knew it or not, it’s a recreation of the altar of Pergamon behind Obama,” Cahn told D’Souza.
For Cahn, the imagery becomes significant because of the larger spiritual transformation he believes has unfolded across America and the West.
He pointed specifically to what he described as an acceleration of dechristianization during the Obama years, connecting it to a broader departure from biblical values.
Yet the mystery stretches beyond one president.
Cahn argues that throughout history, the spiritual influence represented by the altar has operated through division: wars, nations battling nations and societies tearing themselves apart. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall, however, he believes the strategy shifted.
D’Souza summarized Cahn’s argument by noting that the throne of Satan had previously “ruled by division” but would begin to “rule by unification.”
To order Dinesh D’Souza’s new book, The Stones Cry Out, visit Amazon.com.
“He’s never finished with strategy,” Cahn replied.
That shift, Cahn contends, should capture the attention of believers living in an age increasingly defined by globalization and movements toward greater international unity.
The warning is not that political leaders themselves are the ultimate enemy. Scripture makes clear that the Christian battle goes deeper than flesh and blood. Cahn’s message points believers back to the spiritual realities behind earthly events—and to the biblical truth that history is moving toward a conclusion God has already revealed.
Ancient thrones may rise. Political movements may come and go. The world may attempt to unite apart from God.
But for Christians, the ultimate throne has never been up for grabs.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
