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 April 7, 2026

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And out from the throne came lightnings and noises and thunders, and seven lamps of fire, which are the seven spirits before the throne, were burning before the throne. And before the throne was, as it were, a sea of glass clear as crystal. In the midst of the throne and all around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. Rev 4:5-6.

           In the book of Revelation no distinction is made between God’s throne room and the heavenly temple. The two are treated as one and the same. The throne is the place of power and authority, and the lightnings, noises and thunders that come out from the throne would certainly enhance that impression. The person who sits on the throne is the one in charge, the one who has the right to tell others what to do.
           In this text, however, the throne is mentioned together with seven lamps of fire and four living creatures. The lamps of fire recall the seven churches in chapters one through three (although the Greek words are different). They also recall the lampstand(s) in the Hebrew tabernacle and Solomon’s temple.
           Most people are familiar with the covering cherubs on the ark of the covenant, covering the spot where the glory of God would shine. But Solomon had an even grander idea for the temple he built. He had some artists carve a pair of covering angels from olive wood. These towered over the ark, 15-17 feet high (depending on how a cubit was actually calculated). They also had their wings spread out to a full span of 15-17 feet. They were stationed in the Most Holy Place in such a way that the wingtip of one cherub touched the wall, the wingtip of the other touched the opposite wall, and their other wings touched in the center of the room.
           This made a total of four cherubim or covering angels associated with the ark in the Most Holy Place. So the four living creatures probably allude to the four cherubim in Solomon’s temple. In that case our text describes both the heavenly throne room of God and the heavenly sanctuary. The two are one and the same.
           Since the authority of God is based in the sanctuary, the government of the universe is not based on raw power but on the spiritual principles of the sanctuary. The God who exercises power and authority in the universe is also the God who offers the kind of acceptance and forgiveness illustrated in the Old Testament sanctuary services. The safety of the universe is grounded in a combination of power and grace, authority and compassion. Our God can be trusted.

           Lord, in my experience power is almost always abused for selfish advantage. I am grateful for the assurance that Your ways are not like the ways of the world.