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 March 19, 2026

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The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God and that one will not go out of the temple anymore. I will write upon him or her the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God and I will write upon that one my new name. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Rev 3:12-13.

           Because of difficulties with the local synagogue, the members of the Philadelphian church seem to have questioned their access to God. This letter assures them of their continued access to God in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who holds the key of David. He opens the door of access into heaven for them and he will make them like a pillar in the temple! That means they will always be a part of God’s inner circle.
           Access can make all the difference in this world as well as the next. I remember when I was a student at the Seminary, more than thirty years ago. My wife and I were sponsored by Greater New York Conference and her income added enough so that we were able to live comfortably, eat well enough, and take care of tuition expenses.
           But then came the recession of 1974. People all over the area were losing their jobs. One day my wife learned that the farmer’s market where she had been working could no longer afford to keep her. In one day we lost nearly half our income and there were no obvious opportunities on the horizon. I was able to increase my hours at the library where I had been working part time, but that would make only a small dent in our financial setback.
           This placed me in a position that many other students had been, but to which I had been a stranger. I needed to go see the officer for student finance to see (beg) if any loans or grants could be secured. I was seated in a waiting room for a long time cooling my heels. The door to the finance officer’s office remained closed. Whatever was going on inside was more important than me.
           Just then a teen-age girl walked into the waiting room and pointed toward the closed door. The secretary nodded her head and the girl went right over to the door and opened it! How brazen! How unfair! She then said in a plaintive voice, “Daddy?” Receiving a positive response, I suppose, she walked right in!
           What was the difference between her and me? She had access to her father, something I couldn’t claim! The door that was closed for me was open for her! That’s the way it is when you know Jesus. In Him we have access with the Father.

           Lord, thank you for full access to You in Christ. May I live and act today as one who knows that access by experience.