Hello! I am Jon Paulien and I’m glad you came to this page to check out my work. I am a New Testament scholar and Professor of Religion at Loma Linda University. On this website you will find a collection of my articles, commentary on Revelation, and links to my blog, videos, and other resources. Make sure you check the articles link above regularly to see the latest postings. In my hand above is an exact replica of p52, the earliest extant New Testament manuscript fragment, containing portions of John, chapter 18. Centered above my head is a replica of ancient Greek pottery. At either end above are two sets of books from, and about, my favorite spiritual author, Ellen G. White. I hope you enjoy the site.

Daily Devotional For March 12, 2026

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And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write. . . . Rev 3:7.

           As most Americans know, the name “Philadelphia” means “brotherly love.” Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has become known, therefore, as the City of Brotherly Love. I’m not sure how the ancient city of Philadelphia was given that name, but the Turkish people who live there now still exhibit this characteristic.
           I have visited the ancient site of Philadelphia twice. It is located in the modern city of Aleshehir. I have never been in a place where strangers are more warmly received. The first time we visited I was not feeling well. So I was walking down the street on market day, noticing my surroundings, but not wanting to talk or be involved with people.
           Suddenly a man rushed toward me from behind a vegetable stand. He couldn’t speak English. He pointed to my camera and then pointed to himself and his vegetable stand. He wanted me to take a picture. I was used to this Middle-Eastern drill, or so I thought. “You take picture–I take baksheesh.” In other words, the privilege of taking his picture would relieve me of some of my dollars. I was in a bad mood to begin with and was not interested in a picture of his vegetable stand. But for some reason I went along, expecting to get fleeced.
           When the picture was done an amazing thing happened. He motioned for me to wait, pulled out a paper bag and filled it with vegetables from his stand, handed them to me and said, “Welcome!” With a smile and a wave he sent me on my way. I was truly humbled and somewhat ashamed of my attitude. It dawned on me at that moment that this was a great example of the brotherly love that lay behind the ancient name of this place.
           A little later my family and three students found a place to eat. It was a little restaurant a few hundred meters from the market square. Their specialty was Turkish cheese bread and salad. As vegetarians that sounded like the perfect meal for a traveler. We watched, fascinated, as the baker laid out long strips of bread, filled a tiny trench with local cheese and then baked the results in a brick oven with an open fire. The food was delicious and cost the eight of us only five US dollars! I was so moved by the experience I left the head man a 25% tip in gratitude. Since the children were sometimes slow, we left ahead of the students to head for the bus.
           The students arrived fifteen minutes later with another whole meal of cheese bread. The man had been so moved by my tip that he refused to let the students go until he had prepared a second meal for all of us as a gift! I was deeply touched. Brotherly love is a wonderful thing that brings profound joy to both the giver and the receiver. I will never forget my Turkish friends!

           Lord, I want to show Your love today by giving of myself to others. May the meaning of Your love be exhibited through me.