When Jonathan Cahn reflects on the journey that led to his groundbreaking book The Harbinger, he doesn’t describe a typical writing process—he describes divine orchestration.
Standing at Ground Zero years after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Cahn recalls a moment that would ignite a prophetic mission. “I was standing at the corner of Ground Zero and I see a tree that had been struck down, and something says, ‘There’s a mystery here. You have to seek this out,’” he recalls. That tree became the first key in a puzzle that would guide him through a time of research and revelation.
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Ground Zero also holds significant importance to Cahn because the woman who would later become his wife had plans to be at the World Trade Center that morning but changed them at the last minute—saving her life. Several others from his congregation had been inside the towers that day and narrowly escaped.
After his profound moment of reflection and revelation at Ground Zero, Cahn began writing The Harbinger. “Every time I sat down, it was like a half chapter would write itself,” he says. Insights, connections, and story elements appeared at the precise moment they were needed—sometimes through conversations, sometimes through unexpected discoveries on his computer. Each revelation felt like God leading him, step by step, to tell a story that would resonate deeply with readers.
Cahn is now releasing his latest work, The Avatar, which continues this prophetic trajectory. It examines the influence of ancient spiritual forces on contemporary culture and politics, exploring patterns and principles that have been active since biblical times. Like his previous works, The Avatar combines history, prophecy, and personal insight to help readers understand not just what is happening in the world, but why.
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Through it all, the thread is clear: Jonathan Cahn’s writing is less about human planning and more about being a vessel for divine insight. From his congregants’ narrow escapes on 9/11 to a single tree at Ground Zero, and from his first book to his latest release, Cahn demonstrates how obedience, discernment and attentiveness to God can transform vision into reality—leaving readers with a profound sense of God’s sovereignty and a call to recognize His hand in the world around them.
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 upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
