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A Vital “Key” to Spiritual Growth A personal message from the Editor in Chief, Roderick C. Meredith In our hurried, mixed up, distracted lives, we often mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? fail to find time—or to take time—to think about what For You have made him a little lower than the angels, is really important. and You have crowned him with glory and honor” Sometimes, at the funeral of a dear friend or loved (Psalm 8:3–5). one, we may pause to realize how quickly the “hustle David took time to meditate and to think on what and bustle” of our daily lives could end. We may quiet- was truly important. He often did this outdoors, in the ly think and meditate on the real issues of life: Why are midst of God’s marvelous creation, looking up at the we here? What is the real purpose of our lives? How moon and stars. He did not have a radio or television should we fulfill that great purpose? blatting away in the background, or a phone ringing, Most of us realize that we need to be more sure of or other distractions while he was spending time seek- our relationship with our Creator, and truly draw close ing God. to Him. Most people feel in a general way that they When David was hiding out in the wilderness of would like to fulfill His will. So they think about it Judea, as King Saul was trying to destroy him, David briefly… until the phone rings, or it is time for their literally cried out to God: “O God, You are my God; favorite television show, or… So, once again, they early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh delay their opportunity to draw closer to God. longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is Let me share with you a very important “key” that no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to has helped me during my 54 years in Christ’s ministry. see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lov- I have experienced many trials and “ups and downs” in ingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. my life. I have been terribly disappointed in years past Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my at the actions of some of my own teenagers and other hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with young people as well. I have been hurt by the slights or marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You indiscretions of others whom I loved. My first wife of with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I more than 20 years died in my arms, from cancer. I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have seen dozens of friends and loved ones turn away have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your from the Truth of God. So there have been plenty of wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; “reasons” to become discouraged. Your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:1–8). However, one practice has always helped me to This beautiful passage tells us a lot about David’s “bounce back.” In fact, it was that very practice that approach to God. He would continually “seek” God in helped me to become genuinely acquainted with God almost every conceivable situation. God was the very in the first place. center of David’s life, the One whom David genuinely That vital “key” is the regular practice of setting worshiped and adored and with whom he “fellow- aside time and energy to truly seek God. shipped.” God was truly the center of David’s life! We How? truly are made in God’s image, and—just as David Although King David of ancient Israel experienced did—He wants us to learn to walk with Him, talk with literally hundreds of trials and tests—and profound sor- Him and fellowship with Him (1 John 1:3). row—he always “bounced back.” In spite of his human But, remember! To draw truly close to our weaknesses, he became “a man after God’s own heart” Creator, we must worship Him the way He tells us! (Acts 13:22). Scripture gives us a little glimpse of how Jesus Christ instructed us, “God is Spirit, and David related with God: “When I consider Your heav- those who worship Him must worship in spirit and ens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are (Continued on page 30) How Your Subscription Has Been Paid Tomorrow’s World has no subscription price. It is made possible by the tithes and offerings of Living Church of God members, and by others whoTomorrow’s have chosen World to becomehas no coworkers subscription in proclaiming price. It is Christ’s made truepossible gospel by to the all nations.tithes and Donations offerings are of gratefully Living Church acknowledged, of God members,and may be tax-deductible.and by othersAll scripturwhoe rhaveeferences chosen are from the to New become King James Versionco-workers©Thomas Nelson,in pr Inc.,oclaiming Publishers) unless Christ’s otherwise true noted. gospel to all nations. Donations are grateful- ly acknowledged, and may be tax-deductible. Contents Volume 9, Issue 3 • May–June 2007 Cover 22 The Future of Jerusalem Disputes over Jerusalem are constantly in the news. Arabs and Israelis are fighting over its future, but God has an amazing plan for this long-troubled city. Will Jerusalem ever see peace? The answer may surprise you! Features 4 YOU Need Salvation! Millions do not understand their need for salvation. Sadly, many who believe they are “saved” are not even Christian! Are you learning the truth about salvation—and acting on it? You need to be sure! 10 Religion Under Fire! Is belief in God “delusional”? A vocal number of militant atheists say so. Yet around the world, religion continues to grow in popularity. Why is this happening—and what does it mean for Bible prophecy? 16 Fatherless Families? Many children today grow up without a father in the home. What does it mean to have a father? What does it mean to be a father? The Bible shows how God the Father is the author and example of successful fatherhood. 28 The Tomb of Jesus? Archaeologists recently announced an amazing discovery—a tomb which, they say, contained the bones of Jesus and several members of His family. What does this “discovery” actually reveal? Departments 9 Questions & Answers 26 Watch and Warn 14 Prophecy Comes Alive 31 TV/Radio Log 21 Letters to the Editor Tomorrow’s World ® is published bimonthly by the Living Church of GodTM, 2301 Crown Centre Drive, Charlotte, NC 28227. ©2007 EDITOR IN CHIEF Roderick C. Meredith Living Church of God. Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is DITORIAL IRECTOR Richard F. Ames prohibited. Canada subscriptions: Canada Post Agreement Number 40034253. Send change of address information and blocks E D of undeliverable copies to P.O. Box 409, Mississauga, ON L5M 2B9. Postage paid at Charlotte, NC and at additional mailing offices. EXECUTIVE EDITOR William Bowmer Postmaster: Send address changes to Tomorrow’s World, P.O. Box 3810, Charlotte, NC 28227-8010. REGIONAL EDITORS Rod King (Philippines), Tomorrow’s World is protected through trademark registration in the United States, and by international treaties. Trademark Bruce Tyler (Australasia), Gerald Weston (Canada), registration pending in other countries. The symbol ®, appearing herein, does not indicate trademark registration in countries where Douglas S. Winnail (Europe) it is not yet registered or protected by treaty. ART DIRECTOR Donna Prejean All scripture references are from the New King James Version (©Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers) unless otherwise noted. PROOFREADERS Sandy Davis, Linda Ehman, PHOTO CREDITS: ©CORBIS, ©ISTOCKPHOTOS, ©LIQUIDLIBRARY, ©2007 NEWSCOM, ©PHOTOS, ©PHOTOSPIN, June Olsen ©TOMORROW’S WORLD NEWS BUREAU Don Davis BUSINESS MANAGER J. Davy Crockett, III By Roderick C. Meredith Are you under God’s protection? Does God consider you a “Christian”? Read this article to be sure! his world is teetering on the increased interest in religion in the edge of oblivion. Thoughtful United States. Multitudes are thinking men everywhere are beginning more and more about making peace T to fear. We are living in the with somebody, preferably God. shadow of violent death. It could come But are people really “making peace” any day or night. It could come at any with God—being truly converted, being moment. It could be unleashed by the changed, and coming under His divine tiniest political spark in a far-distant protection? land. Earlier this year, the Bulletin of The true Creator God says most reli- Atomic Scientists moved the famous gious people are being deceived! Your “Doomsday Clock” forward two minutes, Bible describes our very end times as a to just five minutes to midnight! period when Satan the Devil “deceives People know we are living in dan- the whole world.” gerous times, and many are restless. Jesus described our day when He Many are thinking more seriously than said: “For many shall come in My name, ever before about many things—not the saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive least of which is the hereafter. many” (Matthew 24:5, KJV). Yes, the many preachers who claim to be Christ’s Increased Religious Interest ministers, who proclaim that He is Christ, but preach their own humanly devised This era of violence and potential message about Jesus’ person, are deceiving world suicide has helped stimulate an millions and millions of people! 4 TWM wwww.tomorrowsworld.orgww.tomorrowsworld.org Yet, in order to be regarded by ful Creator God.