Newsletter and Coming Events – May 2022

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THE GREAT APOSTASY

Dear Christian friends,

“Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Tim. 4:1. When the COVID lockdowns began two years ago, many Christians thought that the suffering and loneliness people were forced to endure would cause many people to turn to God. From what I have seen in San Francisco, this has not happened. Instead, it seems most people’s hearts have gotten harder.

I believe we are in the times prophesied of a last days’ apostasy. To a large extent, this began in 1859 with the publication of Darwin’s Origin of Species. Over the next decades, science departments in almost every college were divided between those who believed in Darwinian evolution and those who rejected it. Eventually, the Darwinists won, and a purge began of every scientist who disagreed with that theory. Today, it is almost impossible for anyone who openly doubts Darwinism to get a job in the science department of any college or university, except for a few Christian colleges.

While many theologians have claimed that Darwinism is compatible with Christianity, in reality, they cannot be reconciled. While the Bible claims that God created all the plants and animals, Darwin claims that they are all the product of time, chance, and natural selection, with no designer. It should be obvious to any person aware of the incredible complexity of every life form that each one must be the product of an intelligent designer. However, almost all science professors insist this isn’t true. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

Virtually every person who attends public or even many private schools is thoroughly indoctrinated in Darwinism. As a result, they tend to view the Bible as a myth. For many, this is convenient, since if there is no God, they can live as they please and will never be held accountable for their wrongdoing. This also makes it very difficult for Christians to convince them that the God of the Bible is real.

In the 1960’s, there was a very large movement of people using mind-altering drugs and engaging in sexual promiscuity. A great many people were influenced by this movement, and some became national leaders, media personalities, and judges. The US Supreme Court outlawed prayer and school-sponsored Bible reading in public schools, legalized abortion and later legalized same-sex marriage. In much of our nation, marijuana is legal. Use of other dangerous drugs is extremely common. In San Francisco and many other cities, thousands of homeless people are sleeping on the streets. Most of them have severe mental disorders, usually caused by drug use.

Over the past two years almost the whole world has been locked down in response to the COVID pandemic. As a result of this and the George Floyd riots, many of our cities have become desolate. San Francisco has lost most of its tourist industry and half of all businesses have closed. Fortunately, these COVID rules are gradually being done away with. On March 25, Hawaii became the last state to remove its indoor mask mandate. I don’t know whether our governors did this for political reasons or because it was evident that all the COVID mandates have been very harmful. Despite the loosening of COVID mandates, many regulations are still in effect, including mask requirements for public transportation. Many thousands of people were fired because they refused to get vaccinated and have not been rehired.

Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any worse, Russia invaded Ukraine. As I write this in March, I have no idea where this will lead. There could be a negotiated peace. Or more nations could be drawn into the conflict, possibly even leading to a nuclear war. Many politicians and media people are urging the US and NATO to get more involved in the conflict. World War I began with the assassination of a single Austrian duke. 20 million people died in that war.

Yes, things can get much worse. And, according to the book of Revelation, they will get much worse. Rev. 9:18 says “By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, by the smoke, and by the brimstone.” That’s about 2 ½ billion people! And that is just one of many plagues foretold. Did the people of the world repent in the face of such severe judgement by God for their sins? Rev 9:21 says “Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” Rev. 11 speaks about two witnesses who will prophesy for 3 ½ years, likely the first half of a 7 year “tribulation period.” At the end of that time, they will be killed, and the world will rejoice because “these two prophets tormented them that dwelled on the earth” (Rev. 11:10).

As Christians, we have a calling and responsibility to preach the gospel to everyone, regardless of whether they are receptive or their hearts are hardened against the gospel. And he said unto them, “Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15.

On the Streets

On Fri. Jan 21, we witnessed at 4^th and Market.  Alex spoke with Ken, who is homeless and addicted to drugs. He believed all religions lead to God. Alex warned him about false gospels, and invited him to church. He also gave him his phone number and email.

The next day, we witnessed at Fisherman’s Wharf. Andy witnessed to Daniel, from the Sacramento area. He was downcast due to recently getting divorced from his wife of 22 years. He said he was a believer, but not attending church. Andy spoke to him of the need for fellowship with other believers, especially to help him go through this difficult time. He said he will seek out a church when he gets home. Mike witnessed to Dean, 35. He said he was an inactive Mormon. Mike shared about his Mormon experiences growing up and that he had been baptized as a Mormon. Mike said that after he was saved, he realized Mormonism was a false religion. Dean tried to defend Mormonism. Mike invited him to attend City Impact church.

On Fri. March 4 we witnessed at 24^th and Mission. Mike witnessed to Ryan, 23. He went to Catholic school but was now an atheist. He struggled with the question of why God allows evil in the world. Mike attempted to answer his question, and gave him reasons why he came to trust in Jesus Christ. As Mike was preaching, Paul stood before him with tears in his eyes. Mike asked if he could pray for him. Several Christians joined them in prayer. Afterwards, he spoke about his brother, Ray, a Christian whom he had not seen for many years. It turns out the Ray had preached with us several years ago and now pastors a church that meets in the same building as my church in Hayward. Mike showed him a video of his brother preaching at 24^th and Mission two years ago. He spoke about having friends who had died on that street, as well as gang members at San Quentin and Pelican Bay, and shared his salvation testimony. I gave him the phone number of my church and told him he could get in touch with his brother by calling my church.

The next day, we witnessed at 4^th and Market. Andy ran into Degi, a Russian-speaking nurse of Mongolian descent. Andy had worked with Degi in 2005. She said she was raised Buddhist. Andy said he was a born-again Christian and preached on the streets. She was quite interested. Andy gave her a New Testament and his phone number.  She understood a little about Christianity, but Andy explained that it is not a religion, but a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. She said she wanted to learn more and said she would read the New Testament.

A Final Word

     Thank you again for your prayers and financial support for this ministry. By God’s grace, we have been able to bring the gospel to many thousands of people since the COVID lockdown began. The Bible says, “Redeem the time.” I urge each of you to ask God what He would have you do to bring the gospel to this lost and dying world during the short time we are on this earth.

Yours in His love,

Larry Rosenbaum