SHALOM E. HOLTZ: the conventions of a siege included the leader of the enemy camp enthroned at the gates of the besieged city.
DAVID PLATT: Churches are spending approximately 99% of our missions resources in places that are already reached with the gospel.
AVI ISSACHAROFF: Today, Iranian fingerprints can be found throughout the region: Yemen, of course, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and even Bahrain. The Shi’ite militias include not only Iraqis and Iranians, but also mercenaries from Afghanistan and Pakistan, who were shipped in to fight the Islamic State group in the Syrian civil war and remained, highly motivated to face the familiar old enemy – Israel.
STEPHEN H. ARNOFF: Christian disconnect with the Divine in John's Apocalypse is the result of God’s withdrawal from protection of Christian religious sanctity because of their compromise and lack of faith. Christians can no longer mirror Jesus because God is no longer a face to be experienced and reflected upon. Modern Christianity of the destroyed 7 churches in Turkey is one of Physical and Spiritual Babylonian Exile under Persian Rule.
TYLER ROBBINS: The first chapter of the Book of Esther sets the stage for the rest of the account. It tells us why she even became the Queen of the Persian Empire in the first place. More specifically, it tells a bit about her charming husband, Ahasuerus (other translations usually call him Xerxes).
BATYA MARKOWITZ: The Sages suggest that Darius was the son of Ahasuerus and Esther.
Genghis Khan to علاءالدین محمد خوارزمشاه: I am Khan of the lands of the rising sun while you are sultan of those of the setting sun: Let us conclude a firm agreement of friendship and peace.
CAROLINE ANDERSON: Monks are a conduit through which a Buddhist can earn merit. Giving alms to Buddhist monks is believed to foster a spiritual connection between monks and the lay Buddhist. The community believes they bear the responsibility to care for the physical needs of monks, and monks are expected to care for the spiritual needs of the community in return.
JON GAMBRELL: Iran now has enough low~enriched uranium stockpiled for at least two nuclear weapons 🚀🚀
BESA CENTER: Should Israel attack one or more of Iran’s known nuclear installations, it is likely Tehran would retaliate through groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Several wargames have found that the US would be drawn into such a conflict. If the US struck Iran’s installations, Israel and possibly America’s allies in the Persian Gulf would be drawn into the fighting as well.
CHIBA YUKI: I grew up in this town. Who would dare leave it?
QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SAMYA KULLAB: Al-Sistani is also notoriously reclusive and has not left his Najaf home in years. He does not make public appearances and his sermons are delivered by representatives. He rarely receives foreign dignitaries.
Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations: Complete lifting of all relevant sanctions, including those on Iran and third parties, is the key to the success of the current negotiations to revive
R. JAMES WOOLSEY: Iran probably already has nuclear weapons.
