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 1, 2026

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And no lie was found in their mouths, they are blameless. Rev 14:5.

           The 144,000 are noted for their truthfulness (the opposite of Laodicea in its self-deception). No lie is found in their mouths. One of the key characteristics of God’s people at the end of time is a thorough commitment to the truth and to telling the truth in every circumstance of life.
           This is one of the ultimate goals of God’s plan of salvation. Understanding and accepting the truth is the secret to freedom and a satisfying life. This is because whatever you choose to believe will determine what you do and how you behave.
           The story is told of a gifted high school student who graduated at the top of his class. When he took the exam for entrance into the university, he received the grade of 98. The student thought that the 98 referred to his intelligence quotient and since 98 is a low IQ, he began to think he was dumb. At the end of his first semester at university, the previously bright and gifted student had failed all his classes.
           One of his teachers called him in and said, “I’m just a bit mystified as to why a person with your brilliant high school record, could suddenly do so badly at the university.” The young man replied that he had discovered that he was dumb, and so was quite justified in doing badly.
           Further discussion revealed the real truth. The grade of 98 was a percentage mark. In other words, the student had actually scored 98 per cent out of 100. He was, in fact, one of the highest achieving students in the nation, one of the best students that had ever attended that university. The next semester the student was back at the top of the class. What made the difference? The difference was in what he believed – in this case what he believed about himself.
           Wise Solomon once said, “As a man thinks in his inward parts, so is he” (Prov. 23:7, author’s translation). What we believe not only has a direct influence on our performance, but it has a direct influence on what we do, and how we behave. So if there are in the world a large variety of conflicting truths, it is no wonder that the societies we live in are plagued with unrest, trouble and strife.
           God’s ultimate goal is to restore the human race to the perfection it originally enjoyed. There will be no place for error and confusion in the new earth. The problems we currently face originated with the “father of lies” (Jn. 8:44). The solution is found in the truth as it is in Jesus (Jn. 14:6). God’s end-time people are, therefore, described as being without lies (Rev. 14:5), they are united in truth.

           Lord, I commit myself today to three things; knowing You, knowing the truth, and practicing the truth that I know.