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 February 6, 2026

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I know your works, even your labor and your patience, and that you are not able to endure evil people. You have also tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be liars. You also have patience and have endured hardship because of my name and have not grown weary. Rev 2:2-3.

           In this text Jesus uses two different Greek words to express the idea of “patient endurance” and “enduring hardship or difficulty.” In a sense these words express two different ways of saying the same thing. But put the two concepts together and there is the combined sense of moving on when you cannot move anymore, or continuing to carry a burden when the weight is pressing you down. It is a combination of the English word “patience” with the English word “endurance.”
           I remember a time when my family was visiting relatives in the Denver area. We decided to drive up the road to the top of Mount Evans, a 14,000 foot peak in plain sight outside the “Mile-High City” of Denver. The drive was beautiful, even though the weather at the top was blustery and cold. On the way down people expressed an interest in hiking a bit to get in closer touch with the scenery. Looking at a map I noticed a trail that left the road at the 12,500 foot mark, wandered for a mile or so and returned to the road at the 11,500 foot mark.
           I had a “brilliant” idea. We could park the car by the trail head and hike down together to the next turnout in the road. Then I’d hike back up to the car and pick everyone up! I was in good physical shape and it sounded like fun to me.
           The hike down was great, the weather had warmed up a bit and the wildflowers were spectacular. As we got in sight of the road I bade my family farewell and headed back up toward the place where the car was parked. It was only a thousand feet further up! I was hurrying so as not to keep the family waiting below. But the air was so thin and the trail was so steep that it was difficult to take ten or twenty steps without stopping to gasp for air. My heart was pumping at 180 beats per minute even though I was walking at a snail’s pace! Every step was a struggle. Every inch gained was a slow and arduous victory.
           The easiest thing would have been a short siesta. But I patiently endured, knowing that my family was waiting below. The Christian life is sometimes like that. In the valleys we skip along and seem to make wonderful progress. But if we choose to come up to God’s vision for us we must eventually ascend to the upper mists of the high mountains. We must go into the thin air of high places. We must learn what patient endurance is all about.

           Lord, when things get tough today, help me keep my mind on You. Help me keep on keeping on. Help me endure the feelings of the moment and continue to do the right thing.