The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America's Future

The overarching theme of Kaplan and the prophet’s interactions is the use of both faith-based and reason-based rhetoric. The prophet does not begin by asking Kaplan to have faith in a higher power, nor does he start by listing out the facts of his argument. Instead, he begins with a mix of mysticism, in the form of sending Kaplan the seal, and history, through the seal’s inherent age. These two aspects of the seal are starting points for a development of both faith and reason in the prophet’s message, as the seal will come to represent the authenticity of biblical prophecy, which requires faith, as well as the factual information about the harbingers, which is elucidated through reason. As the prophet continues along his argument, both sides of his rhetoric are strengthened in appropriate methods for each, such as a continued mysticism and magic, as well as quotes and citations from biblical scholars, politicians, and real-world locations. Thematically, these elements are meant to create a balanced presentation of the prophecy, as a fully faith-oriented prophecy would fail to reach skeptics, while a purely reason-oriented method would fail to entrance believers.

The prophet’s mysticism involves moving to various locations before Kaplan does, which enhances the mystique of the prophet’s divine implications.