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 17, 2025

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(The kings of the earth) will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into her. Absolutely nothing that defiles will enter into her, neither anyone who practices sacrilege or deceit. Only those (will enter) whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Rev 21:26-27.

           Three times (Rev 21:8, 27; 22:15) the Book of Revelation lists people who will not attain eternal life. But will those who receive eternal life really be the fortunate ones? Would you really want to do exactly what you are doing right now forever? Is it possible that eternal life could get a bit boring after a while? A former teacher used to tell the following story.
           A fisherman dreamt he was in heaven. An angel came up to him and said, “I understand that fishing is your favorite sport. I have just the place for you.” He then took the fisherman to the best trout stream in all the universe. The fisherman was delighted, pulling in some real big ones.
           After a year the angel reappeared to find the man happily fishing away, a ten-foot high pile of large fish on the ground behind him. The fisherman said, “This has been great. I love heaven. How about we go find another stream?”
           The angel replied, “This is the best trout stream in the entire universe. I’m sure you will be disappointed with anything else.”
           The fisherman said, “You’re right. This is the best!”
           He continued fishing for ten years and now there was a pile of fish 50-feet high behind him. The angel returned and the fisherman repeated, “This has been great, but let’s see what else there is.”
           Again the angel replied, “This is the best there is. You have the best stream and your favorite hobby. What else could you want?” So the man fished for another ninety years and the fish pile behind him was now more than 300-feet high. When the angel finally returned the fisherman pulled his rod out of the water, slammed it to the ground, and said, “I’m sick and tired of this! It’s the same thing over and over again. This isn’t heaven, it’s hell!”
           The angel smirked wickedly and said, “It took you 100 years to figure it out?”
           To live forever is not enough. An excess of pleasure and wealth will not be enough for eternal life to retain its flavor. The joy of eternity will be found in the depth of relationship with God and others and in the work we will do to carry out God’s ultimate purpose for us and for the universe. The good news is we can begin living the life of heaven now. To know and obey God will be our science and song throughout eternity.

           Lord, thank You for this glorious vision of a New Jerusalem. May this vision keep me focused on the things that truly matter.