'A Better World Is Near'

Summerville, South Carolina is one of the thousands of communities around the globe that received a powerful message of hope this past November as Jehovah's Witnesses embarked upon a special campaign focusing attention on the Bible's hope for a better world.

The goal of the campaign was 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 were expected to be distributed in some 230 languages to communities in 240 lands around the globe. In addition, the digital publication was 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. Summerville resident, Margaret Diamond, can personally attest to the powerful comfort of that hope.

In 2009, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Although she has a family history of the disease, Margaret didn't expect to deal with such aggressive treatments and surgeries.

"It was totally overwhelming, it took me so much by surprise that I had to go through that." Margaret, who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, explains, "But at the same time, I knew I was going to rely on God to help me make it through."

Then, in August 2020 she contracted COVID-19 and had to be hospitalized.

Just months ago, she learned that she has Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer. Battling such serious health conditions have taken their toll on her body and emotions.

But despite knowing the eventuality of her disease Margaret maintains blazing hope.

"I always want to know how it's going to feel to experience that complete joy of life. Because we are robbed of so much [joy] in this world...When you're dealing with health problems and things are not looking so promising for you. But Jehovah God is going to show us [what true joy] is. I look forward to that!"

Margaret's bright outlook helps soothe the anxious worries surrounding her illness. She treasures the Bible's promise of a better world. In fact, she spends much of her time sharing her hope with others.

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