'A Better World Is Near'

Columbus, Ohio, 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” which is a familiar refrain of many Christians taught by Jesus in what some refer to as the Lord’s Prayer. Longtime Columbus resident Claudia Riley is eager to join the thousands of volunteers who will be participating in this special campaign locally. Though she has been teaching this Kingdom hope to others for more than 44 years, since losing her twin sister Linda in a tragic hit-and-run accident in 2017, Riley has been more motivated than ever to share the Bible’s comforting message with her community. Recalling the painful events of four years ago, Riley related: “I felt like I had a big hole in my heart, because she was just such a big part of my life. Many people would say things like ‘it was her time’ or ‘God needed another angel’ or ‘she’s in a better place.’” Such well-meaning comments only added to Riley’s distress. She stated, “It’s not Jehovah that’s causing these tragedies. He doesn’t.”

Riley has personally experienced the powerful impact the Bible’s message of hope can have on those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. She attributes her positive outlook to contemplating such promises as those found at Revelation 21:3, 4 in which God promises an end to tears, pain, suffering and even death. “Each day is a day closer to seeing Linda again,” she said joyfully. Riley hopes that she can share similar comfort with as many in her community as possible by means of this special campaign. “More people need to know the good news that there is a better world near. Someday all the negative things we see in the world today – the crime, natural disasters, disease, death, anything that is bringing pain – will be done away with.”

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/