“We don’t know exactly what happened, what triggered it… But whatever it was, it was pretty intense,” stated Richard O’Lenick, a passenger aboard Flight 618.

In an incident that can only be described as demonically-charged, Messianic Rabbi and best-selling author Jonathan Cahn was attacked by a deranged man who was sitting next to him on a flight. While legacy media portrayed the incident as nothing more than a cautionary tale about a religiously motivated bigot who spewed racial and anti-gay hatred, the true story was far from that.

View Comments (2)

Do you want state prayer alerts?

News Media Ignores Key Details

One headline read, Erratic Passenger Duct-Taped to Seat on Flight to Newark After Racist Remarks, Violence. Other titles included, Wild Plane Scene: Passenger Allegedly Calls Black Flight Attendant N-Word…Gets Duct-Taped to Seat, and US Real Estate Agent Duct-Taped and Zip-Tied to Plane Seat After ‘Racial Slurs’ is Fired. Over and over again, articles highlighted the crazed man’s “abusive racial and homophobic slurs,” but failed to reveal that the main target of the man’s hatred was Jesus. The enraged atheist cursed the Lord repeatedly during his unruly rants.

Rabbi Cahn Reveals the Truth

After the violent episode, Rabbi Cahn released a video explaining all of the details the media left out – ones that provide important context as to what led to the outrageous outburst 30,000 feet in the air, where dark forces manifested in a disturbing way.

On September 3, 2026, Rabbi Cahn was traveling on American Airlines Flight 618 from Dallas to Newark after completing a series of interviews promoting his newly released book, The Altar of Pergamon. Following a last-minute seat switch, sixty-seven-year-old Arthur Lundeen, a realtor from Arizona, ended up sitting next to him. The two struck up a friendly conversation and talked about a variety of topics, including Cahn’s new book.

Demonic Manifestation from “The Pit of Hell”

As the conversation continued, Rabbi Cahn felt led to share the gospel. Lundeen identified himself as an “unbeliever” who had become jaded by “religious hypocrites.” Nonetheless, he was initially receptive, even smiling and agreeing with some of what Cahn was saying. But as Rabbi Cahn began speaking more intently about who God is, His glory, and supreme authority, the tone suddenly shifted.

“What changed was me telling him the gospel and then getting into the reality of the real power of God on Earth and in our lives,” noted Rabbi Cahn.

From there, things went downhill quickly. Lundeen’s countenance transformed in an instant. Turning toward Rabbi Cahn, he sinisterly whispered, “Bull****!” Then, directing his profanity at Jesus, he angrily declared, “Jesus is Bull****!” At one point, the furious man screeched, “Go F*** yourself!” The sudden outbursts unnerved Cahn, who tried to calm the belligerent passenger.

Unfortunately, Rabbi Cahn’s efforts were to no avail. Lundeen grew increasingly agitated, launching into irrational, vulgar tirades that were directed at passengers and members of the flight crew. His blasphemous attacks against the Lord continued as well. Then, just when it seemed the situation couldn’t get any worse, the confrontation turned physical. Lundeen suddenly grabbed Rabbi Cahn by the neck, as if attempting to put him in a chokehold. The encounter took Cahn aback, leaving him with the distinct sense that something far darker was at work in the man.

Flight attendants intervened, warning Lundeen to keep his hands to himself. For a brief period of time, the situation appeared to settle down – but it didn’t last. Something on Rabbi Cahn’s computer caught Lundeen’s attention. It was the cover of Cahn’s newest book, The Altar of Pergamon, which features the ominous image of a dark angel. Just the sight of it seemed to unleash the man’s fury all over again. Fixating on the image, Lundeen demanded of Cahn, “What did you do? What did you do?” In a fit, he began cursing Jesus again, speaking with such darkness that Cahn described it sounding as though it came “from the pit of Hell.”

Things continued to spiral out of control as Lundeen turned his attention toward nearby passengers, demanding to know whether they believed in Jesus. He then turned back toward Rabbi Cahn and threatened to “punch his f****** Jewish face in.” This was followed by him lightly striking Cahn in the chest several times.

Realizing that the situation was only getting worse, Cahn grabbed his computer and attempted to leave his seat. Before he could, however, Lundeen lunged toward him and tried to wrestle it from his hands. A struggle ensued, and although Cahn managed to hold on to the device, his left arm was injured in the process.

Duct-Taped and Zip-Tied

Thankfully, two men seated nearby who witnessed the altercation rushed forward to help. Together, they struggled to restrain Lundeen, who displayed remarkable strength as he fought against them. The confrontation became so violent that one of the men later recalled, “He bit my hand. He didn’t break skin, just left teeth marks on my hand. We were covered in his blood. He was bleeding quite a bit from cuts that he inflicted on himself.” When the demonic dust settled, Lundeen was duct taped and zip-tied to his seat.

Due to the violent nature of the incident, the pilot made the decision to divert the plane to Baltimore. Once the aircraft landed, law enforcement officers and federal agents boarded the jet and took Lundeen into custody. With the disruptive passenger finally removed, the flight continued on to its original destination in Newark.

Mental Episode or Demonic Encounter?

Though many have suggested that Lundeen suffered some sort of “psychotic break” that was triggered for “unknown reasons,” Rabbi Cahn offers a very different explanation. He believes there was a spiritual dimension to what occurred aboard that plane. Cahn points to Satan – the enemy of God – and to the biblical truth that our struggle is not merely against “flesh and blood,” but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, as the Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 6:12. These forces, he explains, seek to oppose the purposes of God and prevent them from going forth.

The timing of the encounter was especially striking. Just days before Rabbi Cahn found himself seated beside Lundeen, he had released The Altar of Pergamon, a book devoted to exposing what he believes are the enemy’s schemes at work throughout history and in the world today. In it, Cahn traces connections between the ancient satanic altar, or “throne,” of Pergamon and some of history’s darkest movements and events, including Nazism, communism, Marxism, the world wars, the threat of nuclear destruction, and the rise of a New World Order.

The Enemy Wants to Stop the Purposes of God

Rabbi Cahn further reveals that Satan is a pre-emptor – one who attempts to strike before God’s purposes can come to fruition. It’s a pattern, he says, that can be seen throughout Scripture. When Moses was born, Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew baby boys to be killed. Centuries later, following the birth of Jesus, Herod ordered the slaughter of males aged two and under in Bethlehem. In both cases, an attempt was made to destroy God’s chosen deliverer before his mission could be fulfilled.

Rabbi Cahn sees echoes of that same pattern throughout history. Adolf Hitler sought the annihilation of the Jewish people, yet only a few years after the fall of Nazi Germany, the nation of Israel was reborn in its ancient homeland. From Cahn’s perspective, what unfolded aboard that plane was another reminder of this spiritual reality: the enemy seeks to oppose what God intends to accomplish, and often attempts to strike before it comes to pass.

Cahn’s experience reveals an important spiritual truth. When God’s people seek to carry out His will – whether by sharing the gospel, testifying to His power, or exposing the schemes of the enemy – they should expect resistance. It may not always be as dramatic as what happened aboard Flight 618, but the purpose remains the same: Satan seeks to hinder or stop what God desires to accomplish through His people.

Perhaps that’s why the full significance of what happened was lost in most of the media coverage. Many reports focused on what could be seen on the surface such as the violence, racial insults, and bizarre behavior. Yet they overlooked the numerous verbal attacks against Jesus, and the clear spiritual elements of the encounter. Not surprisingly, the world sees only what’s happening before its eyes, while failing to recognize the unseen battle taking place behind the scenes.

God is Greater

Yes, demonic forces are at work in this world, seeking to oppose the purposes of God. But they do not have the final say. The Lord is at work as well, and His power is infinitely greater. No scheme of the enemy, no spiritual force, and no opposition can ultimately stand against what God has determined to accomplish.

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted, Job 42:2.

In this dark and chaotic world, we would do well to learn from encounters like the one Rabbi Cahn experienced. His story reminds us of the importance of interceding for those who are carrying out God’s work, but it also offers us reassurance. As we seek to follow the Lord and accomplish what He has called us to do, we can trust that His sovereign hand is upon us. Opposition may come, but we never face it alone. Jesus is with us, watching over us and providing the protection we need to fulfill His purposes.

As Rabbi Cahn’s book reaches countless numbers of people across the globe, pray for his protection, as well as his family and ministry.

Pray for Rabbi Cahn

Lord Jesus, we plead Your blood over Rabbi Cahn, his family, and his ministry. Let no weapon formed against him prosper. We pray for protection over his health and life as he continues to release books and preach sermons. We pray that he will accomplish all of Your purposes for his life.

What do you think about Rabbi Cahn’s demonic encounter? Have you witnessed something similar? Share your comments below. For more details about what happened to Rabbi Cahn, click on this link.

Angela Rodriguez is an author, blogger and former teacher who studies the signs of the times, as well as the historical and biblical connections between Israel and the United States. You can visit her blogs at 67owls.com and 100trumpets.com. She is also the author of Psalm 91: Under the Wings of Jesus and Hallelujah’s Great Ride. Photo Credit: Jonathan Cahn / YouTube / Screenshot.