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 December 10, 2025

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(The city) has a great and high wall, having twelve gates. And at the gates are twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel are written on the gates. Three gates are on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city has twelve foundations, and upon them are twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Rev 21:12-14.

           Does God have an exact and detailed plan for every person’s life? Is there a “best decision” out there, God’s perfect will for my life? Or does God have many possible roads to get me to the same goal?
           For some of us, finding the very best route between two points can become an obsession. I once planned a road trip from Michigan, where I live, to Florida. I noticed that all the best routes seemed to pass through Chattanooga, Tennessee, so the big issue was how best to go from Michigan to Chattanooga.
           I noticed that we could go down through Indianapolis to Nashville, and then across to Chattanooga. Or we could head east from Louisville through Lexington and then south through Knoxville to Chattanooga. Or we could head east from Michigan or Indianapolis into Ohio and come down through Cincinnati to Knoxville and beyond.
           I counted the miles and concluded that the shortest distance between my part of Michigan and Chattanooga is through Nashville. On the other hand, the stretch from South Bend to Indianapolis is painfully slow, with lots of traffic lights, and Nashville can be tough during rush hour. So if we headed east on I 80 into Ohio we could make the whole trip on superhighways. On the other hand, that route seemed to be almost a hundred miles longer. On the other hand, the way through Lexington avoids Nashville, but is 40 miles longer. On the other hand. . . .
           Does God have the perfect route for all situations or is the goal of our life what really counts? The goal of our lives is to develop character and be among the group that will live in the New Jerusalem. Character is not always developed by the shortest route, the easiest route, the “best” route. Sometimes character is best achieved only by taking a back road that leads to a detour that puts us onto some potholed, gravel road.
           God knows better than we do. He can make the most of every route we take. The thing that really counts is where we end up. The contrast between the golden city and the lake of fire couldn’t be more plain. The slain Lamb has gone before us, what counts is to follow Him no matter where the road of life takes us.¹

           Lord, I want to be with You in the Holy City. More than anything else I want my family and friends to be there too. Today I want You to be in charge of the map.

¹ Inspired by Heidi Boggs, “Finding the Perfect Route,” Adventist Review, July 15, 2004, 15.