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 26, 2026

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Here is wisdom. Whoever has a mind, let him count the number of the beast, for it is a number of a man, and his number is six hundred sixty six. Rev 13:18.

           Over the centuries teachers of prophecy have forced many names to come out at 666. Nero Caesar was a popular choice for this “honor” in the early centuries of Christian thought. Hitler was certainly a character that many sought to tie to this prophecy. To the amusement of some, the Roman numerical value of Ellen Gould White is also 666, although the fact that it is the number of a man would seem to let her off the hook!
           Among the more creative suggestions was the recent association of the number with Ronald Wilson Reagan because he had six letters in each of his three names. After leaving the presidency, he moved to a home in Los Angeles. Evidently the numerology bothered him enough that he had the address changed from 666 St. Cloud Drive to 668!
           One recent favorite is the allegation that 666 appears on some international product codes. Since this relates to buying and selling (Rev 13:16-17), some think this is significant. As far as I know, however, no one is talking about printing these codes on the forehead or the hand yet!
           One California resident fought in court to prevent his daughter from being assigned a Social Security number. He somehow had the impression that Social Security numbers were associated with the 6-6-6. Since a couple each has a Social Security number of nine digits, together they have 18, which totals 6+6+6! Do you see how creative this gets? (Of course, the biblical number is six hundred sixty six, not six plus six plus six.
           If we adapt the rules to make names conform (say multiply by seven, add four, then divide by three) we can eventually make any name fit 666. Bible scholars, scientists and labor unions have all surfaced as candidates for the Antichrist. There is even speculation about the children’s TV character Barney. If one adds up the Roman numerals of “Cute Purple Dinosaur” you get a total of 666. Hopefully, someone did that one as a joke!
           More seriously, through the centuries many Christians suffering intense persecution supposed that they were experiencing the final tribulation before the Second Coming. It is not surprising that they wondered if Stalin, Hitler or some Muslim ruler might not be the final Antichrist. While they may have been wrong in thinking they were the last generation, they gained courage from grasping the larger principles of the Book of Revelation. And in quality, if not in time, they tasted in part the final struggle with the forces of evil.¹

           Lord, I pray that speculation will never distract me from the challenge that Scripture presents to my way of life. Help me to be true to the realities of Your Word.

¹ Based on Keener, 358-360.