Greetings from Charlotte,
This has been a busy week—in addition to getting ready for a number of visitors coming in for Mr. Apartian's funeral. Mr. Meredith has conducted several meetings and finished a co-worker letter that is being mailed this week. He and Mr. Ames are preparing to tape new Tomorrow's World television programs next week. Mr. King and Mr. Weston are also here for the funeral and will be taping new programs. Dr. Charles Moore was here this week from Canada to tape some lectures for his Living University class. LU students are in their last week of classes for this semester and will take final exams next week. The last Tomorrow's World Special Presentations for 2010 will be held this weekend in Nigeria. Please pray that these presentations will be effective in preaching the Gospel in that country.
Repeat Announcement: The funeral of Mr. Dibar Apartian will be held this Sunday, December 19, 2010 in Matthews, North Carolina.
Cards and letters of encouragement may be sent to Mrs. Apartian at:
Mrs. Shirley Apartian
1205 Holly Ridge Dr.
Matthews, NC 28105
Following, we share the opening of an article that Mr. Apartian dictated while he was in a convalescent home. Although unfinished, its profound teaching is still conveyed.
Church Administration
Behind Closed Doors
By Dibar Apartian (1916-2010)
Often times, when we are not preoccupied by other things, we walk in the streets watching big buildings, never taking the time to realize what goes on behind closed doors. I myself can vouch for it because all my life I have driven through many streets or walked through great boulevards without asking myself what life goes on beyond those closed doors. This is true with every human being. We take things for granted. We are mainly interested in what concerns us, our personal life—our immediate self. Such thoughts never bothered me, really. They were part of a world which was not my world. Yet, they were, but I didn't take time to ask myself what goes on behind those closed doors. There are hospital beds, people lying down, some seriously ill. I didn't dwell on such "details" until I saw myself attached to a bed, eyes directed toward the ceiling. Life is strange. Nothing is real to us, unless we are directly concerned. Think of it. When you drive by a big building, how often do you ask yourself that there are many who also are separated?
Ministerial Re-Assignments
Mr. Ron Poole, who was recently hired as a full-time elder will become the pastor of the Asheville, North Carolina congregation in addition to pastoring the Anderson, South Carolina and Braselton, Georgia congregations. Mr. Martin Fannin will now become the pastor of the Crossville, Tennessee congregation.
Living Youth Camp
It may be cold and snowing, but summer will be here soon! If you can't wait to canoe, swim, hike and have lots of fun, listen carefully to the announcements over the next few weeks! Registration will begin soon for Living Youth Camp 2011. Plans for our Pre-Teen Camps, Adventure Camp, and Teen Camp are being finalized now. Our new location for 2011 Living Youth Teen Camp will be announced at our first-ever "Live On-Line Teen Bible Study" on Sunday, January 2, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Young people from across the U.S. and Canada are encouraged to log in, listen and participate. We will record the study as a podcast for those who would like to listen later. For more information, go to our website, www.livingyouth.org, or listen next week for a more detailed announcement.—Jonathan McNair
Living University
Registration for next semester is currently underway. Classes will begin in January. The following are two of the courses being offered next semester. A complete listing of "Spring Semester" courses (Spring in the northern hemisphere) can also be viewed on the Living University website under the link "2011 Spring Schedule." To apply to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com website. For additional information or questions, please contact Dr. Scott Winnail at [email protected] or 704-708-2292.
THL 474 – Archaeology and the New Testament
This course deals with the pervasive influence of society, architecture, and religion on the peoples of the first century. The focus is upon the archaeology related to sites associated with the ministry of Jesus, the journeys of Paul, and the seven churches of Revelation. Particular attention is devoted to the Judeo‐Christian synagogue on Mt. Sion in Jerusalem now called the Tomb of David, the house of St. Peter at Capernaum, and the Constantinian churches of Judea and Galilee as they bear on our understanding of the New Testament period. Emphasis is on orientation to the geography and archaeology of the biblical world and the application of archaeology in biblical research.
THL 475 – Ancient Egypt and the Biblical World
This course deals with ancient Egyptian archaeology, history and culture from the Predynastic
Period through the Late Period. Emphasis is upon the interconnection of Egypt with the land of Canaan, the Exodus, the Conquest, and the Settlement. In this course the student will examine the most current Egyptological evidence and its support of the biblical record concerning Israel in Egypt.
Comments
Keys for Working Together: One of the challenges of life is learning to work together with other people—in families, on the job and in the Church. The Bible gives us instructions and examples to help us accomplish this vital task. Jesus built bridges by referring to His disciples as His "friends" and encouraged them to "love one another" (John 15:12-17). The Apostle Paul, who had his own challenges with this issue (Acts 15:36-41), learned that we must focus on the mission to be accomplished and not on each other's opinions or ideas. He referred to those who assisted him as "my fellow workers" (Romans 16:3), and "fellow workers for the kingdom of God" (1 Colossians 4:11). Paul also referred to members of God's Church as "God's fellow workers" (1 Corinthians 3:9) and "workers together [co-workers] with Him" (2 Corinthians 6:1). He urged everyone to "be perfectly joined together in the same mind" and to avoid contentions and divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). Solomon reveals that pride and ambition are sources of contention (Proverbs 13:10), while Paul notes that humility, patience and understanding are keys to working together (Romans 12:16-18). As disciples of Jesus Christ and followers of the Apostles, let's strive to "love one another" and learn to work together humbly and peacefully as "fellow workers for the kingdom of God."
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—December 16, 2010
A Future Nordic Alliance? The Nordic nations are discussing a possible alliance—between Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark—within the EU. These five nations share similarities in language, culture and geography. A major goal of Nordic leaders is to band together to access the untapped resources of the melting polar ice caps and challenge Russia's claims to the region. Other goals include: "creating a military and civilian taskforce for unstable regions; a joint amphibious unit; a disaster-response unit; a coastguard-level maritime response force; joint cyber-defence systems; joint air, maritime and satellite surveillance; co-operation on Arctic governance; a war crimes investigation unit; and potentially pooling consular services in places where all five countries do not have missions…." Some have even suggested the creation of "a United Nordic Federation under the symbolic rule of the Danish royal family" (EUObserver.com, December 6, 2010). While this last scenario may seem farfetched, students of Bible prophecy understand that the Nordic nations are really "brothers"—descendants of the ancient 12 tribes of Israel. Bible prophecies show that the Israelite-descended nations often "stand together," but they also "fall" together from time to time. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the "dream" of a Nordic Federation and how this might relate to the European Union. For more information on the future of the Israelite-descended nations, obtain a copy of our free booklet, The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
What's Ahead for Europe and the Euro? The massive debt crisis in Europe has put tremendous strain on the common currency—the euro. The spreading debt crisis is also putting increasing pressure on lending nations, namely Germany, and many are asking, "Will the euro survive?" The euro is viewed as the symbol of European integration and unity, but if it falters, the cohesion of the continent is in question. The Economist recently examined this issue and strongly advised against allowing the euro to collapse and permitting member nations to revert back to national currencies. Yet, the article speculates that a possible alliance between Germany, Austria and the Netherlands could re-mint the Deutsche mark. Such a move would be fraught with financial and political perils. The article concludes with the sobering observation: "Breaking up the euro is not unthinkable, just very costly. Because they refuse to face up to the possibility that it might happen, Europe's leaders are failing to take the measures necessary to avert it" (The Economist, November 2, 2010). Bible prophecy indicates that just before Jesus Christ returns to this earth, a power will arise in Europe (referred to as a "Beast") that will consist of ten kings (kingdoms, nations or groups of nations) who surrender their sovereignty to this central authority (Daniel 2:41-43; Revelation 17:7-13). We appear to be witnessing the fragile iron-and-clay nature of the EU and the "growing pains" that will lead to a final configuration.
Russia and China Growing Closer. Late last month, China and Russia signed a new deal to cease trading with each other in U.S. dollars, and instead use their own currencies. The yuan has now begun trading against the ruble—a very important step. "Chinese experts said the move reflected closer relations between Beijing and Moscow and is not aimed at challenging the dollar, but to protect their domestic economies." Speaking during the meeting, Chinese Premier Wen emphasized that "the partnership between Beijing and Moscow has 'reached an unprecedented level' and pledged the two countries will 'never become each other's enemy'" (China Daily, November 24, 2010). God warned that because of the sins of the Israelite-descended nations (like the U.S.), the pride of their power would be broken (Leviticus 26:19). The greenback has long been a source of pride for the U.S. In addition, God prophesied that a mighty end-time army from the "east" would threaten Jerusalem (Daniel 11:44-45; Revelation 9:13-21). Russian and Chinese ties could eventually fulfill those prophecies!—John Meakin, Deborah Lincoln-Strange, Scott Winnail