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By Jethro Ibileke The deadly Coronavirus, like the Spanish Influenza, is currently spreading like a wild fire around the world and is taking tolls on lives of people on its path. This deadly disease might sound strange and new to many, including even health care providers and experts, but, actually, Jehovah’s Witnesses, a religious group, had sounded a warning of its emergence 15 years ago, in one of its magazines, Awake! Writing on the subject “The Next Global Epidemic, WHEN?” the December 22, 2005, edition of Awake! did not only raise the alarm that a pandemic virus might emerge in China or a nearby country, it also warned that it might emanate from an animal and could surface from antigens or virulence factors derived from animal influenza viruses. Photos of the front and inner pages of the Awake! magazine has since gone viral. Full article: https://www.thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2020/02/17/15-years-ago-how-world-ignored-jehovahs-witnesses-warning-on-coronavirus/

Jehovah's Witnesses Tax Exemption May Have Cost City $368M, Critics Say https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160204/dumbo/jehovahs-witnesses-tax-exemption-may-have-cost-city-368m-critics-say/ "CHURCHES IN BUSINESS" Awake Magazine https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/lv/r1/lp-e/0/55899 "IN RECENT years there has been growing evidence that churches are deeply involved in big business, much to the consternation of a great many people. They have invested huge sums of money in a wide variety of business enterprises. Because the profits they receive from these businesses are very often tax exempt fewer taxes come in to all levels of government. This creates a greater burden for the average taxpayer. An article appearing in Reader’s Digest of March 1969 discussed this tax loss and said: “For federal and state governments, church-owned and church-operated businesses represent a large loss of revenue—the taxes that would be collected if the enterprises were run by competitive private industry. It is impossible to calculate the loss exactly, but responsible estimates put it at $6.5 billion a year.” Think how much individual taxes could be reduced if these taxes were paid. This loss is just in the United States. Other countries are also losing from tax-exempt church income from businesses. The religious organization that truly is serving God, in harmony with the example set by Jesus Christ, concentrates on preaching and teaching the liberating truths of his Word and does not become involved in commercial businesses. Following the Bible’s instructions, it does not involve itself in “the commercial businesses of life.”—2 Tim. 2:4. I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt 12:36,38

I have been wondering: 1. Do JWs buy the “Awake” and “Watchtower” magazines that they are required to distribute? 2. If so, how many copies of each issue are you required to purchase for distribution? 3. What is the current price for the “Awake” and “Watchtower” magazines? 4. What happens if you can’t sell all the copies for that issue? Do you get reimbursed?

Movies and TV shows today often feature supernatural characters—wizards, witches, and vampires. What do you think? Is it all just harmless fun, or are there hidden dangers? This issue of Awake! discusses why people are fascinated by the supernatural as well as what is really behind it. g_E_201704.mp3.zip g_E_201704.pdf

147 "I have been awake before dawn to cry for help, For your words are my hope." (Psalm 119:147)NWT 147 "I am up in the twilight and clamorous, waiting for your word." (Psalm 119:147) Byington

6,000 years from Adam ended in A.D. 1872. (Daily Heavenly Manna, inside cover page),6,000 years of human history ended in 1873.(The Time is at Hand, p.33),6,000 years of human history ended in 1972.(The Truth Shall Make You Free, p.152, 1943 edition),6,000 years of human history ended in 1975. (Awake!, October 8th, 1968, page 15). 1968 "True, there have been those in times past who predicted an 'end to the world', even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The 'end' did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing?.. Missing from such people were God's truths and evidence that he was using and guiding them," (Awake, Oct. 8, 1968).

How to Harness Your Habits Whether you realize it or not, habits affect your everyday life, either positively or negatively. g_E_201608.mp3.zip g_E_201608.pdf