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 11, 2025
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The one who spoke with me had a measuring rod made of gold, in order that he might measure the city, its gates and its wall. The city is laid out square, its length is equal to its width. He measured the city with the rod; it was twelve thousand stadia, the length, width and height are equal. He measured its wall, 144 cubits according to the measure of a man, which the angel was using. The material of the wall is jasper, and the city is pure gold as transparent as glass. Rev 21:15-18.
The Bible is like a gigantic cycle: it begins with a beautiful place of safety and security (Genesis 1-2); then sin, doubt, and disobedience come in (Genesis 3); then there is the story of sin and disobedience from the beginning (Genesis 3) to the end (Revelation 20). The New Jerusalem narrative is an attempt to describe the peace, security, and safety that will be in place after sin is destroyed (Revelation 21). The Bible is a complete picture but it would not be complete without Revelation, nor would Revelation be complete without these last two important chapters.
Is the new Jerusalem a literal city like cities today? Or is it a symbol of an indescribable reality? If it is like ancient Jewish pictures of the glorious future, it is more symbolic than literal. It is not designed to satisfy the reader’s curiosity about the architecture of the future, but to teach spiritual lessons that will change lives today.
Tobit (in the Apocrypha), for example, describes an end-time Jerusalem whose gates are made of sapphire and emerald, and whose walls and streets are embedded with precious stones (Tobit 13:21-22, Douay; 13:17 LXX). But this description is just one of many things for which Tobit praises God (Tobit 13:1, Douay). Isaiah predicts foundations of sapphire, jeweled gates, and walls of precious stones (Isa 54:11-12) but these too are there for praise (Isa 60:10-18, especially verse 18). Zechariah, on the other hand, predicts that Jerusalem will be without walls, because the Lord will be a wall of fire around it (Zech 2:4-5). So, assuming that all of this description is intended as literal is questionable.
What relevance does the vision have for us in a skeptical age? The images are those of the author’s time and place, but the central theme is clear. Everything that human beings have hoped and dreamed for is attained, not by human effort, but in relationship with the Lamb. And that relationship begins now. The vision of the future New Jerusalem keeps our minds and hearts focused on the one thing that really matters now.
Lord, help me to remember every day that the ultimate paradise is not a Carribean island, that the ideal city is not Hollywood, but that the ultimate hopes and dreams of my life are found in relationship with You.