Norfolk was one of the thousands of communities around the globe that received a powerful message of hope in 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 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.

For Steve and Lynne Buckley, longtime residents of Norfolk, that prayer has given hope to their family. At the age of 37, Lynne was expecting her third child. “I was ecstatic, full of joy,” said Lynne. “I wanted another baby.” But 15 weeks into her pregnancy, they received the tragic diagnosis their baby would be born with a fatal condition. “At that moment our feelings of joy turned into feelings of disappointment and apprehension,” said Steve. Their baby daughter, Kayla, died shortly after her birth in 1991.

The Buckleys found solace when they poured out their feelings in prayer. “I just turned it over to God, and I felt peace and calm,” said Lynne. They continue to keep close to their heart their favorite scripture about a time when death is no more. This hope has helped Steve and Lynne to endure the lingering sadness of their loss and have an optimistic outlook for the future.

“It’s invaluable,” said Steve. “It’s a unique hope that you cannot find anywhere else.”

The Watchtower magazine 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.