![Eddie Graham outside his home in Bellport, NY. When faced with grave illness during the pandemic, Graham found comfort in reflecting on the Bible's promise that God is going to care for the earth.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/25494090/20211231/104124/styles/patch_image/public/pasted-graphic-1___31100838743.jpg)
Long Island 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.”
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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.
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Eddie Graham, 60, of Bellport, New York, returned home from work one evening in March 2020 with a temperature of 103 and his energy depleted. "I knew it wasn't the flu. I could tell it wasn't the same," said Graham. A doctor's visit confirmed what he thought would be a death sentence. "I thought I'd be terrified, but I was calm," said Graham after receiving his Covid-19 results.
Just days later, Graham was plagued with belabored breathing and left with the only option of surviving on a ventilator. "I kept hearing that those who were put on the ventilator die," said Graham. With treatment, Graham was told he had a 40% chance to live, but only hours without it. Despite the odds, Graham woke up from an induced coma six weeks later.
The next month was followed by excruciating pain. "It felt like an arrow went into my chest through my back," said Graham. He was diagnosed with a lung infection and a rare disease. However, Graham has never given up. He says, “Even though I'm suffering, I'm happy. I have the best news because I have hope for a better future."
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/