Thirty Years

By Larry Rosenbaum

The first day of SOS-San Francisco marks the thirtieth anniversary of a pivotal event in U.S. history. On June 26, 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision outlawing prayer in the public schools. The prayer they rejected was not compulsory and went as follows: “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee. And we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our country.”

In its 1962 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court placed itself above God, declaring in effect that our nation does not need to rely upon God. They obviously did not fear that God would bring judgment on them and on our nation for their action. As Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way, “the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will….and those who walk in pride He is able to abase” (Daniel 4:32,37).

Soon after this decision, the Court ruled that the Ten Commandments could not be displayed in school. Bibles were purged from school libraries. All mention of God was removed from school textbooks. Teachers were told that they could not mention God’s name (except as a curse word). Eleven years later, the Court declared war on God’s moral law by legalizing the murder of unborn children. The blood of thirty million children is on their hands.

Over the past 30 years, the prayer the Court rejected has turned into a curse on our nation. Instead of God’s blessing, a curse has been on our parents, our teachers and our country. Forty years ago, teachers were asked in a survey about the greatest problems they had with their students. Their answer: talking in class and chewing gum. A recent survey revealed a very different answer: drugs, violence and rape.

We have removed the Ten Commandments from our schools. Instead of “Thou shall not kill” we have guns and knives. Instead of “Thou shall not commit adultery” we have promiscuity, teenage pregnancy and AIDS. Children are given condoms and watch pornographic movies in sex education classes. In many schools, they study witchcraft and are taught to visualize spirit guides.

So what shall we do? First, we must repent of our own sins and intercede for our nation. “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). This scripture is so familiar that we do not think about what it is saying. It is addressed to God’s people, not to unbelievers. We must humble ourselves and pray. We must seek the face of God. We must turn from our wicked ways.

Our first priority must be to get our own lives right with God. For too long, we have allowed the leaven of sin into our lives and compromised with the world. As the world has gotten more wicked, we have lowered our standards. God desires to use vessels that are pure and holy before Him. “Blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee” (Psalm 51:9-13).

As we enter the 30th year of our SOS-San Francisco outreach, it is good to look back at what has happened over these years. SOS-San Francisco began at the end of what was known as the “Jesus Movement.” During the late 1960’s, there was a major, worldwide “satanic revival” that largely began in San Francisco. Millions of young people (and some older people) got involved in drugs, sexual immorality, occultism, and Eastern religion.

At the same time, God raised up the “Jesus Movement.” Hundreds of thousands of “ex-hippies” got radically saved. They wanted nothing of the world. They only wanted to live for Jesus. They boldly witnessed for Jesus wherever they went. Many people were drawn by the reality of Jesus they saw in their lives, and were themselves radically saved.

Toward the end of the 1970’s the “Jesus Movement” was near its end. SOS Ministries was started by Christians who had been influenced by this movement, and had a desire to evangelize San Francisco. Over a thousand Christians, most of whom were also influenced by the Jesus Movement, joined them in this effort. Large Christian gatherings like “Jesus West Coast” in Santa Rosa drew thousands of Christians to hear speakers like Keith Green. When we set up a booth there and announced the SOS outreach on their stage, hundreds of Christians responded.

Today, many of those saved in the Jesus Movement are pastors, missionaries, and church leaders. But few have the same zeal to serve God that was common in the “Jesus Movement.” And very few Christians today are interested in preaching the gospel. Some are interested in feeding the homeless. Others are trying to create a new kind of “evangelism” that does not involve any mention of sin, repentance, or God’s judgment.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Christian youth go on expensive “missions trips,” both in this country and around the world. Most of these trips involve Christian work projects. Few involve Christian youth actually sharing the gospel with non-Christians. The world has told us we should not “impose” our religious beliefs on others, and we have believed them.

About 10 years ago I set up a booth at “Spirit West Coast” in Monterey, the modern version of “Jesus West Coast.” Instead of hundreds coming to SOS, only two people responded—both over 40. Since that time, I have tried everything I can think of to get young people to witness on the streets with us. We have gotten some youth groups to join us, but have not gotten any young people to live in our ministry house.

As the church has become increasingly distracted from the Great Commission, the world has become increasingly wicked. “Same sex marriage” is becoming legal in one state after another. Congress is in the process of approving a “Hate Crimes bill” that will give protected status to all 547 forms of sexual deviancy recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, including pedophilia (adults with sexual interest in children). An attempt to specifically exclude pedophilia from protection was voted down!

Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., said in support of the bill, “This bill addresses our resolve to end violence based on prejudice and to guarantee that all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability or all of these ‘Philias’ and fetishes and ‘ism’s’ that were put forward need not live in fear because of who they are. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this rule…” It is likely that anyone speaking against such deviant activities could be prosecuted under the act, on the grounds that they are encouraging “hate crimes.”

While the U.S. Constitution still protects free speech, the Constitution is only what five people on the current Supreme Court say it is. As President Obama reshapes the U.S. Supreme Court, it could soon outlaw Biblical teachings regarding sexual morality as “hate speech,” as has already happened in Canada and much of Europe.

What will it take to see genuine revival in the Western world—a revival that involves Christians wanting to reach the lost? Perhaps it will take an economic collapse far more severe than the one that occurred this past year. Perhaps it will take religious persecution.

It is easy to get discouraged when we read such things. But we must not forget the One whom we serve. God has preserved a witness in the world. He is still working in people’s lives, drawing many to him. I am encouraged by people like Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron and Mark Cahill. They have succeeded in getting thousands of Christians committed to and trained in evangelism. And thousands of other Christians are faithfully walking with God and preaching the gospel—boldly and in love.

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