Coming Events
(Contact me at mail@sosmin.com or (510) 282-5629 for outreach locations and times one or two days before outreach.)
Friday February 19, 26 3-6 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
Saturday February 20, 27 12-5 PM Witnessing in San Francisco neighborhoods.
MASK OF THE BEAST
Dear Christian friends,
When I was saved 50 years ago, I read that “in the last days, perilous times shall come.” However, even a year ago, I could not have imagined today’s world. In most of California and many other places, it is still illegal for Christians to gather indoors to worship God. I wonder if I will ever again be able to walk down the street and see the faces of my fellow humans, and not have them try to stay as far from me as possible—and think I’m a murderer if I’m not wearing a mask.
Despite ten months of government-ordered closures, social distancing and masks, we are told COVID cases and deaths are increasing. There have been far deadlier pandemics in human history, but never before has the world responded with shutdown orders of this magnitude. Never before have billions of people been ordered to wear masks.
Pastor Bill Randles wrote, “I believe that this whole episode is a trial run for the mark of the beast. Governors demanding people give up Holidays? Making people cover their face? Forbidding eating together in restaurants? Dictating who can come into your house? Telling churches how they are to worship? All of the above seem to be compliances demanded in order to dehumanize us. I believe there will be long term psychological effects of people being forced to hide their faces behind masks, etc. Some of these fanatics are addicted to petty power and just simply won’t want to give it up. The compliance of many to this is staggering also. I believe we are experiencing a sophisticated psychological conditioning operation, which is degrading and soul deadening.”
And then there’s the election. According to several polls, almost half of all Americans believe the election was stolen. For many who do not fear God, the end justifies the means. If they can gain power through fraud, they will not hesitate to do so. Will the US ever again have a fair election? America is no longer “the land of the free.” Nor is it the “home of the brave.”
While we love the freedom, comfort and prosperity we have experienced in the US, most people throughout history have not lived that way. Even today, 700 million people worldwide earn less than $2 per day! Often, the work they do to feed their families is very difficult and dangerous. While the COVID lockdown has made things worse for us, the suffering and death imposed upon the world’s poor by the lockdown is far greater. We are so blessed to live in the US, and not have been born in one of these poor families.
Will the COVID lockdowns, and the trillions of dollars we have borrowed, lead to an economic collapse? Our national debt has increased from $3 trillion in 2001 to over $27 trillion today.
Jesus spoke of a time when upon the earth there would be “distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh.” Luke 21: 25-28.
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” Romans 8:6. “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” 2 Cor. 4:18.
In these difficult times, we need to ask God to help us be spiritually minded and focus on eternal things. We need to encourage one another to “be strong in the Lord” and “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:10-11). And we also need to rededicate ourselves to bringing the gospel to this lost world.
On the Streets
On Sat. August 8, we witnessed at Dolores Park. Part of our team joined a church service that Love-San Francisco is holding in the park every Saturday from 12 to 3 PM (facebook.com/outdoorchurchsf). They meet just west of the children’s playground. About 30 Christians joined them and hundreds of people in the area were ministered to. We also preached at 18th St. and Dolores.
On Fri. August 14, we witnessed at 18th and Valencia. The block from 18th to 19th St. was closed to street traffic so people could eat outdoors. Andy witnessed to Lee, who was raised a Jehovah’s Witness but was not practicing that religion. He asked about the Trinity, and Andy shared scriptures with him that he was not familiar with. They spoke about 30 minutes and he listened politely.
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. This area was filled with hundreds of people. Tim Moon brought eight musicians with him and they played music. We had total freedom here to set up our PA system, play music and preach. We also had freedom to preach and witness at Pier 39. In the past, the police would quickly shut us down at this location. Alex witnessed to Carlos, who said he trained Mohammed Ali and showed him a picture with them together. He had studied with the Jehovah’s Witnesses for years. Alex read John 3 to him and he said, “That’s not in the Bible.”
On Fri. September 4, we witnessed at 16th St. and Valencia. Mike spoke with a woman who is now saved, but was a lesbian for 40 years. He also witnessed to Nia. He said he was not really following God, but that his uncle told him about God’s judgments in Revelation. He said, “I believe God sent you.”
On Sat. September 12, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. For about a week, we had some of the world’s worst air quality, because of numerous California fires. One day, the sky remained orange. Several newspapers called it “apocalyptic.” Sonny Lara brought over 30 Christians from Star of David Ministries, They preached, shared amazing testimonies, and sang. Several had spent many years in prison. One was imprisoned for murder when he was 10. We prayed with about 12 people that day.
On Fri. September 18, we witnessed for the first time in the Hayes Valley neighborhood. As soon as we began preaching, four “ambassadors” approached us and demanded that we stop. They called the police. The police did not order us to stop, as they would normally would, but tried to work out a compromise. We agreed to move to a different spot at a park ½ block away. Andrew and James ministered to Casey, 53, a Christian who works as a stockbroker. He said he has become lukewarm, but was impressed and encouraged by our bold witness for Christ. Alex witnessed to Richie, 38, a Syrian whose father is a Muslim. Both his parents are professors and he works in the tech industry.
The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. A team of 12 Christians from the World Race ministry joined us (worldrace.org). I had never heard of the ministry, but they are quite large and send teams of Christians around the world. There were a total of about 30 Christians with us that day, and we witnessed in three places. When L.J. was preaching at Pier 39, Kevin approached him. He took away the microphone and wanted to preach. Alex went over and tried talking with him, but he became quite violent. He was criticizing us for not being loving enough, but then tried to hit us with his skateboard. He left, but later on approached us and was apologetic.
On Fri. October 2, we witnessed at 24th St. and Mission. Mike, Alex and Scott all witnessed to Donovan, who is half-Jewish and had studied Hinduism but now is an alcoholic, and homeless. He says he sees demonic creatures at night.
The next day, we again witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. James Croci played music and we preached at 3 locations. About 20 Christians joined us that day. Alex witnessed to Yakov, who was part of the Hebrew-Israelite cult. Alex read from Galatians 5 that the fruit of God’s spirit is love. He asked, “Do you have that love?” He said he once had it, but was hurt by the church.
Ministry News
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. On December 6, a new shutdown order again forbade Christians from gathering indoors throughout the Bay Area. It also shut down outdoor dining, which meant that there are far fewer people on the streets to witness to. There is no ending date for these orders.
After the latest shutdown order, Fisherman’s Wharf was empty of people so we began witnessing at 4th St. and Market. This location was very busy with Christmas shoppers in December.
On Fri. Jan. 7, we witnessed at 24th and Mission. On Sat. Jan. 8, we witnessed at 4th and Market and at Powell and Market, There were not as many people as in December, but there were still hundreds of people on the streets.
About 10 Christians have been joining us on Fridays and 20 on Saturdays. Please pray for these outreaches, and ask God to show you ways to witness for Jesus during this difficult time.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
