Revival and Harvest
“And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, that I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in the corn, and the wine, and the oil” Deut. 11:13-14.
Many Christians believe that there will be an “early rain” and “latter rain” of God’s spirit at the beginning and end of the Church Age. The early rain was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that occurred beginning at Pentecost. The latter rain would be a last day’s revival that occurs right before our Lord’s return, possibly in the next few years.
In his January 9 newsletter, David Wilkerson pointed out that in ancient Israel, the early and latter rains were both needed to bring in the harvest. “If you want to judge any move of the Holy Spirit–to discern if it is of God or of flesh–then use this criterion: The Spirit’s work is always focused on the harvest of souls!…It is not a true movement of God unless it is focused on the harvest! The Holy-Ghost rains always fall to produce an ingathering of souls.”
“God poured out His Spirit in the former rain at Pentecost, to prepare the ground. This outpouring softened the ground for the gospel seed to be sown. Spirit-filled sowers were sent out from the Upper Room that day into all the world….”
“Many so-called Holy-Ghost movements vanished quickly because they were man-centered–focusing on gifts, blessings, self- improvement, happiness … all flesh unless it produces a brokenheartedness for the lost and unsaved. If it is truly of the Spirit, it will result in a hunger and inclination to reach a lost and dying world!”
“Jesus tied the harvest to lost souls when He said, `Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest’ (Matt. 9:38). Any true outpouring of the Holy Spirit will focus on this prayer of Jesus. And the few revivals documented as genuine all were blessed with great harvests of souls. There is no true revival without great ingathering of lost souls!….When the Holy Spirit convicts us, comforts us, teaches us, sanctifies us, leads us and shows us things to come, it is all meant to prepare us to gather in the harvest–to make us able laborers in His vineyard!
“Consider what happened as a result of Joel 2:28. At Pentecost, 3,000 people were saved in one day–and souls were added daily afterward! These believers were then thrust out into all the world to witness Christ to the lost.”
In the 25 years I have been a Christian, I have never seen as little interest among believers in reaching the lost as I see today. However, revivals come during times of greatest spiritual darkness. God, send us revival! Give your people a burden to reach out to people that will enable them to overcome every obstacle and excuse!
Ministry News
In last month’s newsletter, I wrote, “the rain usually doesn’t last too long” in San Francisco. I’m writing this letter on January 30, and it has rained every day this month somewhere in the Bay Area! Yesterday, the San Francisco 49ers won the Super Bowl. This afternoon, 300,000 fans lined the streets in a victory celebration. Did they allow the rain to keep them away? Of course not–they are fans–fanatics. They gladly sit in the rain for four hours watching a football game. They yell, scream, make fools of themselves and people think it’s normal.
This past month, we’ve had many opportunities to witness in the rain. At least we have something to be fanatical about–we have met the creator of the Universe, who has forgiven our sins and given us eternal life with Him! We have a message that is the most important one people will ever hear. How they respond to this message will determine their eternal destiny! Certainly a lot more important than a football game!
Fortunately, most of the places where we witness have nice awnings we can stand under. We rarely even get wet. On January 7, we went to Berkeley and found a nice awning outside a record store. After we started preaching, the record store worker called the police who told us we were on private property. We insisted the sidewalk was public property and the officer backed down. John Hurst brought his 5 year old daughter Susanna who sang Christian songs and drew a crowd. It was wonderful to see the many hearts that were touched by her childlike faith and simple love for Jesus.
On January 5, God blessed Eric and Cammie Livingston with a beautiful daughter, Christiana Love. Eric was saved five years ago in Berkeley during SOS-San Francisco and Eric and Cammie are now a vital part of this ministry, witnessing with us on the streets. Cammie works in our office, making address changes, printing receipts and mailing out tapes and other literature.
After two and a half years in our house, Steve Styles returned to Placerville, where he is living with his family and starting a street outreach. He is planning to attend Bible school this summer.
I wanted to give a brief report on some others we have ministered to: John, saved 1 1/2 years ago at Powell St., still attends New Life Church and continues to grow in the Lord. Michael, saved last spring at Powell St., continues to be active at First Assembly in Fremont and is planning to attend Bible College. Theo, saved a year ago on Haight St., still lives at the SF Gospel Mission. He is looking for a new living situation and wants to attend Bible school.
Here is a letter we received from a newsletter reader:
I just finished reading the Sept./Oct. newsletter. The tears streamed down my face as I sat and convulsively cried after reading that you may not be able to receive sound permits after Sept. It was not that I became so instantly sad at the news. But that Jesus’ Spirit was urging me to pray. Sometimes His presence is overwhelming like that. I stopped and prayed for some time and then was interrupted by a phone call. It was the music minister at our church telling me that an old friend of his is going to donate enough to the church …to buy some smaller P.A. speakers that would be better suited to the style and size of park out reaches and church in the parks that we do. I was praying for God to give you the ability to witness in the parks in your city and He reminded me He wants me in the parks in mine.
I was unable to hold back the tears a couple of more times when I finally got back to the newsletter and completed reading it. I want you to know that I don’t break down crying very often. But when I do sense His presence in such a mighty way, I know that Jesus is preparing me for something, often prayer…. Thank you so much for your newsletter. It’s an encouragement to me every time….Thank you …. also for the years of encouragement you’ve given me. Your work is vital, the time is short. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.
Rock Star Alice Cooper Saved
from World Magazine, 8/27/94
Phoenix, AZ. Vincent Furnier, better known as “shock rock” pioneer Alice Cooper, is now writing and recording songs that point to hope in Christ and show the hopelessness of the decadent life he once embraced. He has taught Sunday School, fellowships with R.C.Sproul and Glen Campbell and wants to just be called Vince.
(Please pray for Vince that he will grow strong spiritually. Those familiar with the Rock scene know the influence he had for evil on millions of youth and we all can thank God for this news.)
Gideon San Francisco Bay Area Blitz
On February 12-17, about 200 Gideon volunteers distributed tens of thousands of Bibles in motel rooms and to junior high, high school, and university students. They also distributed Bibles to hospitals, convalescent homes and doctor’s and dentist’s offices throughout the Bay Area. I praise God for their work and know that many people will be saved as a result of their labors.
New Hope Ministry
Many of you know Frank and Anita Worthen. In 1973, Frank left the homosexual life and dedicated his life to Christ. Soon after, he started Love in Action, one of the largest and oldest ex-gay ministries in the world. In 1984, he married Anita Thomas, who had worked with me in Shiloh Ministry in the 1970’s. In 1991, he turned over Love in Action to John Smid and went to Manila, Philippines to start a ministry to homosexuals there. This past year, Love in Action moved from San Rafael, CA to Memphis, TN. Frank and Anita have returned from the Philippines and felt God’s leading to start a new ministry to homosexuals in the San Francisco Area, called New Hope Ministry. They have a men’s live-in program, a weekly drop-in meeting, and will be looking for ways to reach out to the homosexual community in San Francisco. Please pray for this new ministry. I agreed to serve on their Board of Directors. If you want more information about this ministry, contact them at P O Box 10246, San Rafael, CA 94912, (415) 453- 6475. They are also available to speak at churches.
Ministry Needs
A week ago I spoke with the Superintendent of Recreation about our park permits. He said he did not want to fight me on the permits and indicated he would grant our permits if we did not receive any more complaints. Based on this, I think we will be able to get the permits without a court battle. But please continue to pray that we would get the permits. Please pray that God will send many laborers into the harvest field in San Francisco. We continue to witness every Friday night and Saturday afternoon. On Friday we meet at 7:30 PM at Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1098 Harrison St. at 7th St. Call us for information about our Saturday outreaches. Please help us bring the gospel to those who are perishing.
We still need two men to live in our evangelism house in Oakland. The house is for spiritually-mature Christians with a call to evangelism. This is an excellent opportunity to receive practical training in witnessing. Please call or write me right away if you are interested, or know someone who is.
Our Tape of the Month is Witnessing to Homosexuals by Frank and Anita Worthen. This is an excellent teaching on understanding homosexuals and how to reach them for Jesus.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
