The Year Ahead 1994
Dear Christian friends,
These are truly very exciting, yet difficult times. The events we hear about in the news line up so well with Bible prophesy. We dare not set a date, but surely the return of our Lord is very near.
Let us look at some of the dramatic changes we have seen over the past few years: The Soviet Union dissolved and there is tremendous freedom to preach the gospel in Russia and the other republics. Yet in some respects the situation is even more dangerous than before. The hard-line Communists almost took over Russia a few months ago, and there are the beginnings of ethnic wars in many of the republics. Most of their nuclear weapons are still activated and pointed at us. Their nuclear technology is now being sold on the black market. Many nations will probably have nuclear weapons in a few years, including Iran and Iraq.
We are seeing moves toward peace in the Middle East, with Israel making peace with the PLO, something many thought would never happen. Yet this peace is also very fragile, and could lead to new wars. We see the UN increasingly involved in wars around the world. Everywhere there is ethnic unrest, “nation against nation.”
The events of Revelation 13–the rise of Antichrist and the mark of the beast, appear to be drawing near. We have grown accustomed to credit cards, debit cards, and bar codes on everything we buy. We inject computer chips into pets so we can find them. The President recently proposed a national health ID card for all Americans. The technology used to fight crime–such as computerized fingerprint records and now DNA records–will soon make it possible for a dictator to keep track of every person on earth.
We are also seeing the “birth pains” predicted by Jesus in Matthew 24–wars, famines, plagues, earthquakes–all increasing in frequency and intensity as the end approaches.
In Revelation 12 we are warned, “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth…for the devil is come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows he has but a short time.” The devil is certainly working overtime to seduce the people of the world with immorality, violence, occultism, and false religions.
Even Christians are being seduced by money, self-centered living and sexual immorality. Jesus said, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:12). The word “love” is “agape,” indicating that the love of Christians would wax cold. As people around them become more ungodly, instead of reaching out to them with the gospel, many Christians have retreated into self-centered living. Paul warned Timothy that in the last days “some shall depart from the faith” (1 Tim. 4:1) and that people would be “lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers…” (2 Tim. 3:2). Peter warned that “there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming?” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
Certainly, these are exciting times to be alive. Jesus is coming very soon! Yet these are also very dangerous times. We are surrounded by temptations of worldliness and immorality, and of withdrawing from the world instead of evangelizing it. Knowing that we have little time left should give us a greater sense of urgency to bring the words of eternal life to as many people as we possibly can. As we enter a new year, let us resolve to give ourselves more completely than ever before to serving our Lord Jesus Christ. “Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Daniel 12:9-10).
Laborers in the Harvest
One of our main prayers is for “laborers in the harvest” in San Francisco, and God has been answering this prayer. Several churches have been participating in “church in the street” outreaches on Powell St. and bringing a good portion of their church. In September, Evangel Christian Fellowship in San Jose and the San Francisco Vineyard each brought about 50 workers to the Powell St. outreaches. Vineyard evangelism director Dan Russell reported that 10 people from the outreach attended their church the next day and 5 received Christ! In October, Family Worship Center from Pleasant Hill brought about 100 workers. Almost 200 came from Bethel Church in San Francisco, including their 80 member choir and their head pastor. Some of these Christians joined in worship and prayer, while others gave out tracts and witnessed to people. Two of the churches brought food and one also brought clothes for the homeless.
We are also getting some new workers for our Friday night outreach, especially from City View Assembly of God and the Vineyard in San Francisco. Forty students from two Vineyard Schools of Ministry joined us on Polk and Haight Streets on November 5 and 6.
Christmas Outreaches
We have scheduled two special Christmas Outreaches on Saturday December 11 and 18. We meet from 3-6 PM at the Powell St. BART Station in San Francisco. The San Francisco Vineyard will minister on December 11 and New Life Christian Church will minister on December 18. People are most receptive to the gospel during the Christmas season. It is also the busiest time of year in the Powell St. area as hundreds of thousands of people come to do their Christmas shopping and look at the displays in the store windows. The easiest way to get there is to take BART to Powell St. If you drive, take the 4th or 5th St. exit off the Central Freeway and go north. There is a parking garage at 5th St. and Mission, a block from the Powell St. BART Station.
December 11 and 18. We meet from 3-6 PM at the Powell St. BART Station in San Francisco. The San Francisco Vineyard will minis ter on December 11 and New Life Christian Church will minister on December 18. People are most receptive to the gospel during the Christmas season. It is also the busiest time of year in the Powell St. area as hundreds of thousands of people come to do their Christmas shopping and look at the displays in the store windows. The best way to get there is to take BART to Powell St. If you drive, we recommend the indoor parking lot on Turk St. near Leavenworth–$4 all day.
I also had opportunities this past month to speak about evangel ism at Teen Challenge in San Francisco and to 150 students at a junior high group at Redwood Christian School. I welcome opportu nities to speak to groups of Christians about witnessing. Also, all six members of our house were able to get away for a retreat at the Lord’s Land near Mendocino from October 19-22. The members of our house work during the week and witness on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. This is an intense schedule, so this retreat was a welcome opportunity for us to get away from the city and get refreshed spiritually and physically.
New Year’s Eve Outreach
On New Year’s Eve, Friday December 31, tens of thousands of young people will be gathering in Union Square to bring in the New Year. Most are teenagers from the suburbs and this is a great time to reach them. New Year’s is a time when many people think about their lives, where they have been and what changes need to be made in the next year. Many young people have no hope. Come join us in bringing them the only real hope there is. We meet at 7:30 PM at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1098 Harrison St. near 7th St.
Ministry Needs
Usually in this section, I bring up various needs related to the ministry. But this month, I want to ask you to pray for my fami ly. All are unsaved Jews. I have witnessed to them for 23 years, but they continue to resist the gospel. Perhaps the combined prayers of hundreds of you, especially those of you who are intercessors, will make the difference. My grandmother is 96 and my mother 75. I have three brothers Jim, Rob, and Bill, along with their wives and four children.
I do pray that God will bless you richly during this Christmas and the coming New Year. I am so thankful to each of you for remembering us in your prayers and supporting us with your donations. I hope you will join us for one of our Christmas outreaches on Saturday December 11 or 18. We meet from 3-6 PM at the Powell St. BART Station in San Francisco.
Our Tape of the Month is “Solomon’s Porch: The Church in Public Places” by Richard Paradise. Richard is Director of Proclamation at New Hope Christian Fellowship in Sacramento and a founding member of our Board of Directors. This tape outlines a strategy of bringing the church to the street as an effective means of evangelism, one we use regularly in San Francisco.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
