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 August 21, 2026

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And he [the land beast] does great signs, so much so that he causes fire to come down out of heaven to earth in the presence of men. Rev 13:13.

           There was a time when one could experience something similar to this in the Yosemite Valley, in central California. Every summer evening National Park personnel staged a “fire fall” from Glacier Point which is nearly 4,000 feet above the valley floor. People gathered before sunset for a short nature program at a campground near the base of the mountain. While this was going on, rangers tended a raging bonfire up at Glacier Point.
           After the program below ended, someone would shout up the vertical granite wall: “Let the fire fall!” After a moment, there would be a response from the ranger high up at Glacier Point, “Let the fire fall!” They would then begin pouring hot coals over the side of the mountain to form an awesome glowing waterfall which disappeared several thousand feet into the darkness. It was truly a spectacular sight. Some people traveled thousands of miles for the chance to see the sight.
           Bringing fire from heaven to earth reminds the reader of Acts 2:2-4 (NIV). There “a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven. . . They saw . . . tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. . .”
           The text of Revelation 13 warns us not to totally trust what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears. One day the fire of Pentecost will seem to be falling all around us, but it will not be the real deal. A great, end-time agent of Satan will counterfeit the working of the Spirit and call people to give their allegiance to a counterfeit Trinity.
           But the best way to detect a counterfeit is to know the genuine. Those who are filled with God’s Spirit will know when the counterfeit appears. And the true Spirit of God is given to those who seek God with all their hearts (Jer 29:13) and are willing to do whatever He asks (Acts 5:31).The Spirit of God is ministered to us through His word (John 6:63). As we treasure God’s word through faith in Jesus, we will be filled with the genuine Spirit. But this will not occur by means of occasional or casual attention to the Word.
           Visitors to Yosemite Valley today will not see the fire fall. Years ago the valley was uncrowded and very different from the masses that visit the place today. Nowadays, because of the popularity of the valley, the fire no longer falls. There are just too many people and too little space. Sometimes our lives can get too crowded to hear the voice of the true Spirit. Don’t allow the press of people and things keep the fire of the Spirit from falling into your life.

           Lord, clear some space for You in the events of this day. I feel tired and overwhelmed right now. I need Your Spirit as never before.