Jonathan Cahn is sounding the alarm about an ancient altar he believes carries a disturbing prophetic connection to some of history’s darkest moments, and ultimately to what the Bible says is still to come.
During a conversation with Amanda Grace, Cahn discussed the mystery at the center of his new book, The Altar of Pergamon: The Mystery of the Dark Angel and the Future of the World, tracing what he sees as a spiritual thread stretching from the ancient world to Nazi Germany, Soviet communism and the end times.
The mystery begins in Revelation 2, where Jesus speaks to the church in Pergamon and identifies the city as the place “where Satan’s throne is.”
Cahn connected that biblical description to the Great Altar of Pergamon, an enormous ancient structure associated with Zeus.
“The key thing on that mountain of Pergamon was called the great altar or the Altar of Pergamon,” Cahn told Grace, describing it as an embodiment of the “throne of Satan.”
According to Cahn, the altar eventually disappeared beneath the ruins as Christianity spread throughout the ancient world. Centuries later, however, German archaeologists excavated the structure and transported its pieces to Berlin.
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For Cahn, what followed is more than coincidence.
He pointed to the rise of modern antisemitism and occultism in Germany and eventually to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Cahn also highlighted Hitler’s massive Nuremberg rally platform, which he said was designed after the Pergamon Altar.
“When you see Hitler railing, he’s standing on the throne of Satan,” Cahn said.
But Cahn’s argument does not end with Nazi Germany.
Following World War II, Soviet troops discovered the altar and took possession of it. Cahn tied this transition to the Soviet Union’s rise as a global superpower and the spread of communism across Eastern Europe and beyond.
Eventually, the altar returned to Berlin.
Cahn then drew connections between its location and some of the Cold War’s most dangerous confrontations, including tensions over Berlin and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Yet the greater warning is where Cahn believes the mystery points next.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cahn noted the emergence of a more unified Europe and increasing discussions about a “new world order.” He linked this movement toward global integration to biblical prophecy about the Antichrist and a final world system.
“What we’re dealing with in the world, we are in a real fight,” Cahn said.
Still, Cahn’s message did not conclude with fear.
Every empire and ideology he associated with the altar eventually fell. Nazi Germany fell. Soviet communism collapsed. The powers that persecuted Jews, Israel and Christians did not have the final word.
“We’re here,” Cahn said. “God wins.”
That may be the most important part of the mystery. Darkness can rise, nations can shake, and spiritual warfare can intensify—but Scripture has already revealed who ultimately sits on the throne.
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].