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 September 5, 2026
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. . . worship Him who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water. Rev 14:7.
Some friends of mine had their first child about fifteen years ago. They were elated at the prospect. With great excitement, they began to think of how best to prepare for the baby’s arrival. At that point they discovered that they had very different ideas on the subject.
The prospective mother was focused on the kind of bed crib to be obtained, the color of the room, and figurines for the wall. A mobile was needed to develop focused eyesight and the best in linens were selected for the baby’s nest. Soft, subtle clothing was considered, and blankets and other necessary warm wraps were added to anticipate the cold climate where they were living at the time. More time than usual was spent in the mall. Shoes, booties, socks, undergarments; the list was seemingly endless, and the needs growing by the minute.
The dad, on the other hand, knew that babyhood would wear off sooner or later, and when it did, he/she would be headed for high school, the first date, the college years and then? He knew that the kind of life he had known before marriage was now truly gone forever. He was going to be a father! He put up a brave front, but he was a lot more scared than he was willing to let on! Marriage itself and the wedding day were nothing in comparison to this.
There were two different perspectives and two very different roles, but both were headed for the same destination: they were preparing for the arrival of a divinely appointed gift! Then it came, a baby boy! Nine pounds and some ounces later, the young couple forgot about the mobile, the room color, the blankets and wraps, the undergarments and cuddly clothes, the bassinet, or even the crib to come. The preparation was forgotten and lost in the reality of the child’s birth day. Everything that had been invested in preparation was forgotten because the focus was now on the event itself.1
The Sabbath comes after a day that Scripture identifies as the preparation day (Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54). Friday is a day to get ready for worship, a day to prepare the mind, body, and environment for the weekly date that should never be forgotten, it is a date with GOD! The right kind of preparation enables us to set everything aside so that we can concentrate our attention on God.
The One who made heaven and earth, the sea, and the fountains of waters is worthy of our worship. His day is worthy of the kind of preparation and anticipation that young couples exert when anticipating their little gift from God!
Lord, help me to get the most out of Your weekly gift. I want to know You more, so I will be ready for the special date You have planned for us this week.
1 Email from Samuel Thomas, Jr., August 15, 2003.