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 September 16, 2025

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And I saw another great and astonishing sign in heaven, seven angels having the seven last plagues, because in them the wrath of God has been brought to completion. Rev 15:1.

           There is a lot of emotion in the Book of Revelation. The characters in the book are angry (Rev 12:17; 18:3), they are afraid (Rev 11:13), they rejoice (Rev 18:20; 19:1-6) and they can be extremely sad (Rev 18:9-19). But emotions are not limited to the earthly realm. God is portrayed as angry, furious or wrathful in the book (for example: Rev 11:18; 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1), and so is the Lamb (Rev 6:16-17).
           There are four to six primary emotions, depending on how one tries to catalog them. I think all would agree that the primary emotions include 1) happy, 2) sad, 3) angry, and 4) afraid. Denying ourselves and our loved ones the ability to express our true feelings increases the severity of physical, mental and emotional conditions. Children who fear expressing their sadness or their anger grow up unable to develop healthy and honest relationships.
           Feelings of anger, sadness, fear and joy were designed by God as a protection and a release. They are part of His design for us. When we deny the reality of what we feel, we force ourselves to live in a form of self-deception. There are also consequences for others. Families fall apart when members suppress feelings for fear of hurting or breaking the relationship. The result is dishonest relationships, or no relationships at all.
           A woman in her late fifties had just had a very large mastectomy. She was frightened, fearful that she might die. She was also extremely sad, grieving for the parts of her body she no longer possessed. She was angry that this terrible thing had happened to her. Emotional, mental, and physical pain was filling her world on this day. She wanted desperately to talk about her feelings to her husband, a typical “strong” American male, but he would have none of it.
           “You’ll be fine,” he says, “Everything will be all right.”
           Her husband couldn’t express his fear and anger so he wouldn’t let her do so either. When the chaplain came, he dominated the conversation so the painful emotions couldn’t come out. He robbed his wife of the chance to unburden her soul in the mistaken conviction that strong Christians bear their suffering quietly.¹
           We can begin to achieve God’s design by expressing our feelings to God. Jesus did that on the cross (Matt 27:46; Mark 15:34). God can take it. He prefers an honest disagreement to a dishonest submission! And He already knows how you feel, so it is safe. Feelings can hurt, but they can also bring us healing, togetherness and love.

           Lord, here’s how I really feel inside today. . . .

¹ Based on an email from Dan Millen, March 29, 2003.