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 July 8, 2026

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And the voice which I had heard from heaven spoke with me again, “Take the opened scroll which is in the hand of the angel standing upon the sea and upon the land.” And I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the scroll.” He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will make your stomach sour, but in you mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” And I took the scroll out of the angel’s hand and ate it. And it was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it made my stomach sour. And he said to me, “You must prophesy again to many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” Rev 10:8-11.

           John is not the last person for whom everything turned sour. God’s strategy with him seems to be a way that God prepares people for a different kind of ministry.
           When Gavin was a teen-ager, he attended a prestigious private school. His classmates were the children of diplomats and of the wealthiest people in the country. As a student he won scholarships, was captain of several sports teams and won awards for many things. He never failed at anything he wanted to do.
           When he became a pastor, however, everything seemed to turn upside down. He was hospitalized and then lost his job. He was continually tired. Gossip destroyed his reputation. His girlfriend of several years broke up with him. It was as if God were systematically taking away everything that he had learned to depend on.
           When everything seemed the darkest, God completely restored his health and his energy. But sometime later he found himself complaining about his situation. From the moment he began complaining, his renewed energy began to seep away. For two months he was angry with God. He complained, “Father, this is not fair. You have taken everything away from me, I have nothing left!” The voice of the Holy Spirit was unmistakable. “Yes, that is the point.”
           Gavin was stunned. God wanted him to have nothing? He came to realize that he had been trying to do ministry in his own strength. He was “soured” because God removed his “strengths” so he could realize how much he needed to depend on God. Like John in Revelation 10, his disappointments were intended as stepping stones to a different kind of ministry.
           Gavin is back in ministry today. But the core of his ministry is not in his talent or strength, it is in intimacy with God. Just as the Book of Revelation has had far more influence through the centuries than John could have imagined, so our work for God can exceed our expectations when we work out of an intimate relationship with Him.

           Lord, keep me open to new directions by whatever means You choose. Help me to recognize Your hand in the “sour” experiences of life.