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 May 13, 2025

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And I saw, when he opened the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became like blood, and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, like a fig tree drops its unripe figs having been shaken by a mighty wind, and the sky was split open like a scroll being rolled up and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. Rev 6:12-14.

           There is a series of six items in this passage. The first and last of the six are earthquakes, the latter being so great that every mountain and island shifts location, a truly cataclysmic event. In between the two earthquakes are four heavenly signs: the sun turns black, the moon turns bloody red, the stars fall to the earth, and heaven itself splits up.
           The images are either literal or spiritual. I am not aware of a compelling case to treat the sun, moon, stars and sky as symbolic here. So they should probably be taken literally. In the Greek of this passage the word hos (in italics above translated “like”) usually compares something literal with something figurative. The pattern is that the sun becomes black “like sackcloth of hair,” the moon becomes “like blood,” the stars fall “like a figtree drops its unripe figs,”, and the sky splits open “like a scroll being rolled up.” So the sun, moon, stars, and sky are to be taken literally and what happens to them is to be taken figuratively.
           Events like the first three have taken place in the past. In 1780 there was an incredibly dark day across North America in which animals came home early thinking the day was already over, and roosters were crowing at odd hours. That night the moon turned a dark red. The event was so unusual that many people took note of it. Then in November, 1833 there was a meteor shower so spectacular that many people wrote their local newspapers announcing that the end of the world must be at hand.
           God used these events to stimulate tremendous interest in the prophecies of the Bible around the world. But interpretation of this text cannot stop in the Nineteenth Century. The descriptions in verse 14 go way beyond anything history records. The sky ripping apart and every island moving out of its place, those are events never seen before. They point to the time just before the return of Jesus.
           The spiritual message of this text can be found in the Old Testament texts that are echoed in this passage. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed (Isa 54:10, NIV).” The assurance is that no matter what, God will never forsake His people.

           Lord, I crave a calm confidence that my whole life is sheltered in Your caring hands, no matter what the circumstances I may face today.