They Said It is a regular feature from Bible Rebel, highlighting quotes from various folks on various topics of interest and relevance to our readers.
My favorite quote from Edmund Burke is, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
Here are some more gems from the 18th Century Anglo-Irish philosopher, politician, and deep thinker.
“Man is by his constitution a religious animal. Atheism is against not only our reason, but our instincts.”
— Quoted in various writings and speeches
Burke argues that belief in God is a natural and essential part of human nature.
“Christianity is the most refined and exalted religion that ever enlightened the world.”
Burke praises Christianity as the highest expression of religious truth and moral guidance.
“People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors. Besides, the science of jurisprudence… and the principles of a Christian religion, form together the education of a gentleman.”
— From “Reflections on the Revolution in France” (1790)
He connects Christianity with tradition, virtue, and civic education.
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
While this quote is often attributed to Burke and does not explicitly mention God, it reflects his Christian worldview, especially the idea of moral duty and divine accountability in the face of evil.
Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on wars and conflicts around the globe, bringing the latest news summaries to our readers.
Israel Declares Plan to Reoccupy Gaza
On August 7, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced intentions for Israel to take full military control of the Gaza Strip—marking a potential reoccupation since the 2005 withdrawal—pending Security Cabinet approval. The shift comes amid failed ceasefire efforts and escalating civilian casualties, with over 61,000 Palestinians reportedly killed since the conflict’s onset. From The AP
U.S.-Brokered Peace Corridor in South Caucasus
Also on August 7, 2025, the U.S. reached a landmark peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The deal secures exclusive U.S. development rights over a crucial transit corridor through the region, dubbed the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), and signals a move toward dissolving the Minsk Group framework. From Reuters
Ukraine-Russia War: Trump–Putin Meeting Looms as Zelenskyy Excluded
Recent developments in the Ukraine–Russia war spotlight a potential meeting between President Trump and President Putin, likely hosted in the UAE. However, the Kremlin indicated that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will not be included under current conditions—raising concerns about sidelining Kyiv in ceasefire talks. From The Guardian
U.S. Pushes Lebanon to Disarm Hezbollah—Diplomatic Tensions Rise
The U.S. is intensifying pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, prompting doubts about its effectiveness and long-term risks. Analysts warn that pressing Lebanon too quickly could undermine the fragile state-building process and lead to dangerous political repercussions. From The Guardian
Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on events in the Middle East. That is not to say that we are watching for any fulfillment of biblical prophecy there, we keep our eyes and ears open to news that affects people of faith from every region around the world.
The Holy Land is of particular interest for three reasons:
It is a geographical crossroads, referred to by some the “Center of the Earth”.
It is also the historical birthplace of the two largest religions of the world; Christianity and Islam, as well as the ‘Father’ of both those religions – Judaism.
It is of major military and strategic importance because of oil production and logistics.
Are the biblical prophecies focusing on geographical locations in the Middle East, especially in and around current-day Israel, relevant to the Church in our times today?
Or will those prophecies only come to pass and be revealed in some future time after the destiny of the Church has been realized? This is a subject Bible Rebel will be exploring in some depth going forward. Stay tuned.
For now, here’s the latest from the Middle East.
Provocation at Al‑Aqsa & Deepening Gaza Crisis
Date: August 3, 2025 Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir visited and prayed at the al‑Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, flouting long‑standing religious protocols. His actions were condemned by Palestinian authorities, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia as a serious provocation. Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is intensifying: 119 Palestinians were reported killed in the past 24 hours, raising the overall death toll in the Israel‑Gaza war to over 60,800—including 175 hunger-related deaths (93 were children). Israeli forces reportedly killed 27 Palestinians at food‑aid sites, and a Palestine Red Crescent staff member was among those killed. From The Guardian
U.S. Envoy Inspects Aid Sites Amid Accusations of ‘Bloodbaths’
Date: August 1–2, 2025 U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff—on his first visit to Gaza since the war began—inspected aid operations run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Rafah. The United Nations had rejected collaborating with GHF, warning that distribution sites had become unsafe and were linked to over 1,000 deaths—many due to Israeli military action. Witkoff aimed to develop a new aid strategy, calling the situation a severe humanitarian crisis. From Reuters
Hamas Denies Readiness to Disarm Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Date: August 2, 2025 Hamas has rejected U.S. envoy Witkoff’s statements suggesting they were willing to disarm. The group criticized his visit as a “staged show,” aimed at misleading the international community. Since May, over 1,300 Palestinians have died near GHF-run aid sites due to violence, prompting concerns about the organization’s operations. Parallel to these developments, France and the UK have indicated possible recognition of a Palestinian state in September if Israel does not meet conditions including a ceasefire, as supported by EU and Arab League resolutions. From Al Jazeera
Hostage Footage Sparks Outcry and Urgency for Ceasefire
Date: August 3, 2025 Hamas released new footage showing Israeli hostages in visibly emaciated condition, triggering widespread outrage and renewed calls for urgent action. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Tel Aviv and publicly expressed support for hostage families, advocating for a ceasefire. From Deutsche Welle
R.T. France’s interpretation of the “Son of Man coming in clouds”
R.T. France, who passed away in 2012, was a respected New Testament scholar and commentator who interpreted Mark 13:26 and Mark 14:62 as references not to a future, visible second coming of Jesus, but to His heavenly vindication and enthronement, drawing heavily on Daniel 7:13 and the literary/theological context of Jewish apocalyptic imagery.
Following is a summary, enhanced by Mr. AI, of France’s view.
Mark 13:26 – “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”
France’s View: This is not a literal, visible return of Jesus to earth.
He argues that Jesus is drawing on Daniel 7:13, where the Son of Man comes on the clouds to God (the Ancient of Days)—not to earth.
Therefore, this “coming” is not about return, but about the transfer of authority and the vindication of Jesus after His suffering and death.
“They will see” should be understood figuratively, meaning people (particularly those who rejected Jesus) will recognize the consequences of His vindicated status, especially through:
The destruction of the temple (A.D. 70),
The spread of the gospel,
And the judgment upon Jerusalem.
🔹 “The ‘coming’ of the Son of Man in clouds is an enthronement scene, not a return-to-earth scene.” — R.T. France, The Gospel of Mark, NICNT (2002)
Mark 14:62 – “…you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
France sees this as a prophetic declaration of vindication, spoken directly to the high priest and the Sanhedrin.
The phrase “seated at the right hand of Power” implies divine authority, referring to Psalm 110:1.
“Coming with the clouds” again echoes Daniel 7:13, but not in the sense of descending from heaven. Instead, it describes Jesus’ ascension to divine status and authority.
The Sanhedrin would “see” this through the events that followed: Jesus’ resurrection, the birth of the church, and the judgment on Jerusalem.
🔹 “Jesus’ response is a claim not of eventual return, but of imminent exaltation… a challenge to those who are about to condemn Him.” — R.T. France, The Gospel of Mark, NICNT
Summary of France’s Key Points
Phrase
Interpretation
“Coming on the clouds”
Danielic imagery of heavenly exaltation, not return
“They will see”
Figurative: people will recognize the implications of Jesus’ divine authority
Mark 13:26
Public vindication of Jesus as the Son of Man, seen through judgment and gospel progress
Mark 14:62
A warning to the high priest: the one they condemn will soon be exalted over them
They Said It is a regular feature from Bible Rebel, highlighting quotes from various folks on various topics of interest and relevance to our readers. Here are some memorable quotes about the Apostle Paul – the one from Thomas Jefferson is especially interesting.
Martin Luther (German Reformer): “The epistles of Paul are the clearest gospel of all. He deals with the true essentials of Christian doctrine with such simplicity, clarity, and depth that they must be treasured above all other writings.”
John Chrysostom (4th-century Church Father): “Put the whole world on one side of the scale, and you will see that the soul of Paul outweighs it.”
David Hume (Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, skeptic of religion): “The conversion of Paul… is a strong proof of the truth of Christianity.” (Paraphrased from his Essay on Miracles, where he acknowledges Paul’s radical transformation as a historical argument worth serious consideration.)
Thomas Jefferson (3rd U.S. President): “Paul was the first corrupter of the doctrines of Jesus.” (From a letter to William Short, 1820. Jefferson admired Jesus’ moral teachings but believed Paul distorted them with dogma.)
Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on news and events concerning denominational religion, and brings that content to our readers.
LDS Church suffers major setback in China
Chinese authorities have recently shut down several congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—including branches in Beijing and other cities—citing their failure to register with the government. The unexpected closures have left members “heartbroken,” and church leaders are seeking ways to adapt to shifting political environments. From The Salt Lake City Tribune
Record global growth reported in 2025
The Church announced that between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, convert baptisms during that 12‑month period reached the highest in Church history. Every global region saw at least a 20% increase in baptisms in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. From newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org
Devotional broadcast from Europe focuses on unity
On July 13, 2025, First Presidency member President Dallin H. Oaks delivered a devotional message from Brussels to Latter-day Saints across Central and Eastern Europe. The broadcast—translated into 23 languages—called members to seek unity in Christ. From churchofjesuschrist.org
Tabernacle Choir marks 5,000th episode of “Music & the Spoken Word”
On July 13, 2025, the world-famous Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square aired the 5,000th weekly episode of “Music & the Spoken Word,” with audiences tuning in via radio, television, and online across 50 countries. The milestone reflects almost a century of continuous broadcast history, dating back to July 15, 1929. From Church News
