When I first read Jonathan Cahn’s new book, The Avatar—and then read it again—I knew it was his most explosive, eye-opening work yet. In my recent episode of The Strang Report, I sat down with Jonathan to discuss the revelations in this powerful book, which releases September 2. (Click here to listen to the full interview.)
For those familiar with Cahn’s previous bestsellers like The Harbinger, The Paradigm and The Return of the Gods, this book takes those prophetic threads to a whole new level. In The Return of the Gods, Jonathan laid out how the ancient spirits and pagan influences once cast out by the gospel have returned to the modern world as America and the West drift further from God. In The Avatar, he explores an even more sobering reality: What if these spiritual forces are not just returning, but are now manifesting—creating “avatars” that embody their power and agenda right in front of our eyes?
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The Mystery of the “Avatar”
I asked Jonathan to explain what he meant by the word “avatar.”
“An avatar is a vessel, an agent, a manifestation of a god,” he told me. “In Hinduism, and in cultures all over the world, people believe their gods take on human form to influence nations and events. What if that is happening in America right now?”
To order Jonathan Cahn’s new book, The Avatar, visit Amazon.com.
The answer he gives in The Avatar is not only compelling, it’s chilling. This book is filled with layer upon layer of connections between today’s headlines and timeless spiritual truths from Scripture—patterns that make you stop and say, “Wow, how did I not see this before?”
Encounters with the Spiritual Realm
Before Jonathan dives into modern events, The Avatar opens with personal stories I had never heard, even after more than a decade of knowing him. From India to Cuba to Africa, Jonathan shares gripping accounts of spiritual warfare and supernatural encounters—moments where the invisible world broke into the visible.
In India, while traveling a road known for its ties to the false god Krishna, Jonathan’s vehicle was nearly destroyed in a horrific crash. Later, as he stood before 70,000 people to share the gospel, the simple sound of the shofar triggered what looked like a mass exorcism—thousands screaming as demonic forces fled.
A similar moment happened in Cuba, when a prophetic vision painted by a believer literally toppled an idol, sparking a wave of revival. “Everywhere I went,” Jonathan said, “the same patterns were there. The gods change their names, but the spirits are the same.”
America at a Crossroads
As we talked, Jonathan drew connections between those spiritual realities and our current culture. “Western civilization was once totally pagan,” he explained. “The Gospel drove out the gods. But Jesus warned that if we empty ourselves of God, the spirits will come back—and they’ll bring reinforcements. That’s what’s happening now.”
He even pointed to the recent Olympics, where the opening ceremony openly mocked the Last Supper and replaced Jesus with a pagan deity. “That’s not art,” Jonathan said. “That’s a sign of where the culture is heading.”
Leaders and Templates in Scripture
One of the most fascinating parts of The Avatar is Jonathan’s analysis of key political figures through biblical “templates.” He connects ancient kings and leaders to modern personalities with uncanny accuracy—down to specific dates, events, and even names.
Donald Trump, he explains, parallels the biblical figure Jehu, the wild and unpredictable warrior God raised up to confront the House of Ahab. Biden reflects patterns found in King Jehoram, a leader who knew of God but rejected His ways.
“It’s not that they know it,” Jonathan said. “It’s that God weaves everything together in His sovereignty.”
The Call to Revival
Despite the sobering warnings in The Avatar, the message is not one of despair but of hope—and urgency.
“Trump, like Jehu, is a vessel,” Jonathan explained. “But the only real hope for America isn’t political—it’s revival. If we change the government but don’t change the people, the people will change the government. What we need is a turning back to the God who made America great in the first place.”
Jonathan ended our conversation with a charge that resonated deeply: “We have a window of time. Pray as never before. Live in revival. Share the truth boldly. Because if revival comes to us, it can come to America—and to the world.”
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Why You Should Read The Avatar
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It’s a prophetic wake-up call for every believer—and a powerful tool to share with friends and family who need to understand the spiritual battle raging over our nation.
The Avatar is available everywhere books are sold on September 2, but you can pre-order now. And if you want to hear the full conversation with Jonathan, including stories and insights we didn’t have room to print here, listen to my podcast interview here.
This is a book you won’t just read—you’ll be talking about it for years to come.
Stephen Strang has seen major changes in the church, the culture and technology since he founded Charisma magazine in 1975. In addition to being CEO of Charisma Media, he hosts a Strang Report podcast live on YouTube and Rumble at 4 p.m. EST every Tuesday and Thursday. His important recent book Spirit-Led Living in an Upside-World is available wherever fine Christian books are sold d including online at amazon.com.
