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 11, 2026

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One of (the beast’s) heads was as if it had been slaughtered to death, but the wound of his death was healed. And the whole world followed the beast with great amazement. They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast?” and “Who can possibly make war against him?“Rev 13:3-4.

           Verse 3 contains a clear allusion to the cross. One of the beast’s heads was as if it had been slaughtered to death, then its deadly wound was healed. The word “slaughtered” is exactly the same word found in verse 8: “The Lamb slaughtered from the foundation of the world.” The deadly wound of the sea beast is a clear parody of the death of Jesus Christ. Now if the beast is slaughtered to death, what does it mean for the “wound of his death” to be healed? A resurrection! The sea beast has a death and a resurrection like that of Jesus Christ.
           There is more to this counterfeit. In Rev 13:1 the beast is described as having ten horns and seven heads. It looks just like the dragon! Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9). If you’ve seen the sea beast, you have seen the dragon! In verse two it tells us that “the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.” This reminds us of the saying of Jesus in Matt 28:18: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” Jesus received His authority from the Father, the sea beast received his authority from the dragon.
           The sea beast also has a ministry. According to verse 5 that ministry is 42 months long. Three and a half years! How long was Jesus’ ministry? Three and a half years long. The length of the sea beast’s ministry is the same as that of Jesus! That makes the question of verse four quite interesting. “Who is like the beast?” The original readers who knew a little Hebrew would have known that the name Michael (the previous reference to Jesus in Rev 12:7-9) means, “Who is like God?”
           The sea beast, then, is a clear counterfeit of God the Son, Jesus Christ. At the end of time there will be a great world-wide deception where a counterfeit trinity stands in the place of God. The dragon, sea beast and land beast form the three members of that trinity. In the last days of earth’s history, Satan brings in deception so carefully crafted that people will have difficulty telling which side is the right one.
           What difference should that make in our lives today? As we approach the end of the world, we should pray and search the scriptures as never before. Satan will seek to distort our understanding of the scriptures by any means possible.

           Lord, I want the truth no matter what the cost. Help me to see what You want me to see in Your Word.