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 June 2, 2026

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And when he opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for about a half hour. . . . And another angel came and stood upon the altar having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him in order that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, along with the prayers of the saints, went up from the hand of the angel before God. And the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth. And there were thunders and noises and lightnings and an earthquake. And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. Rev 8:1-6.

           It was a typical morning in the temple of Jerusalem around the time of Jesus. The priests were sleeping in second floor chambers above the colonnade surrounding the outer court of the temple. Shortly after the rooster crowed the officer of the day knocked on the door. He led out in the casting of lots to determine those who would do the various duties of the daily service.
           At daybreak they brought a lamb to the outer court. While one priest prepared to slaughter the lamb, another entered the temple to clear the ashes from the altar of incense and relight the lamps inside the Holy Place (Rev 1:12-16). The opening of the great entrance door into the temple (4:1) was the signal to slay the lamb (5:6-10). The body parts of the Lamb were then brought to the altar of burnt offering and its blood poured out at the base of the altar (6:9-11).
           The appointed priest then took the golden censer (8:3-5). It was like a frying pan with a long handle and had a lid on it. The priest filled it with coals from the hottest part of the fire on the altar of burnt offering (8:3). He then entered the open door of the temple and arranged the coals of fire on the altar of incense. At the time commanded by the officer of the day, he added incense to the fire on the altar (8:4).
           At this decisive point in the service three things happened. A shovel was thrown down (8:5) between the altar of burnt offering and the entrance to the temple. There was a break in the singing, a moment of silence (8:1). And during that moment of silence seven priests would blow seven trumpets (8:2,6).¹
           The first third of the book of Revelation is based on the “tamid,” the daily sacrifice in the temple. The incense represents the righteousness of Christ applied to the prayers of the saints throughout the Christian era. This scene assures us that our mistakes, and even the inadequacy of our good deeds, are covered by the perfect righteousness of Christ.

           Lord, thank You for the assurance that I can be right with You today, no matter how inadequate I may feel.

¹ Herbert Danby, editor and translator, The Mishnah, first edition (London: Oxford University Press, 1933), 582-589. These pages reflect traditions of the rabbis relating to the daily Tamid service in the temple.