‘A Better World is Near’

Canton will be one of the thousands of communities around the globe that will receive a powerful message of hope this November as Jehovah’s Witnesses embark upon a special campaign focusing attention on the Bible’s hope for a better world.

The goal of the campaign is to distribute a special edition of The Watchtower magazine containing the cover series, “A Better World is Near.” More than 36 million printed copies of the magazine are expected to be distributed in some 230 languages to communities in 240 lands around the globe. In addition, the digital publication is available on various platforms in nearly 400 languages.

“People are longing to hear a positive message and this is the best news possible,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. Spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “A better world is not just a dream, it’s inevitable. In fact, it is the central theme of the entire Bible.”

The magazine addresses the age-old “doomsday” question “Is this world going to end?” with a comforting answer that may surprise many readers. While many religions have predicted the “end of the world,” the magazine reveals the Bible’s clear message: the earth is here forever and will never end! However, the magazine also explains the powerful truth that wickedness will soon be gone, quoting the Bible book of Psalms where it promises that the “lawless one” will be no more. (Psalm 37:10, Rotherham translation)

This positive message has been the hope of millions around the world who have prayed for ‘God’s Kingdom to come,’ a familiar refrain of many Christians taught by Jesus in what some refer to as the Lord’s Prayer.

The promise of God’s Kingdom has comforted Canton residents Valentius and Azalea Nettles through a series of ordeals since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Azalea lost her job in the summer of 2020, and the couple endured both a family tragedy and a painful personal loss just a few months later.

“My mom was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer in December,” explained Valentius. “My father was determined to take care of her until he fell ill himself the following month.” Doctors soon discovered that Valentius’ father was suffering from a rare combination of two chronic conditions—leukemia and lymphoma. He died at the end of January.

For Valentius the loss of his father was especially difficult, since the two were very close. During this same period he also experienced the tragic death of his cousin, a victim of homicide.

“There were so many things happening at once, it was like a one-two punch, followed by another one-two punch,” said Azalea, who cited the blessings of a healthy spiritual routine in helping her and her family to cope. Valentius commented on specific multimedia resources available on jw.org, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “I really came to appreciate all of the videos on the resurrection,” he said. “Being able to visualize these Bible promises really helped.”

The couple has four children, ages 11 to 16. All look forward to sharing in the November campaign, which is especially meaningful for the family in light of these recent distressing events. “During our ministry time today, we were getting ourselves geared up,” Azalea said with a smile. “Going through the magazine, looking at specific points to highlight, just getting excited about it. Because for us, it’s personal.”

The Watchtower has been carrying a similar message about God’s Kingdom for more than 100 years and remains the most widely translated and circulated magazine in the world. The 2021 number two edition is available free online at jw.org, where anyone can also request a free printed copy by scrolling down on the homepage to “Request A Visit.”

For more information, please call (718) 560-5600.

Click below for a direct link to the online version of the magazine:

www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-no2-2021-may-jun/