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 August 12, 2026

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And a mouth was given to him (the beast from the sea), speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to operate for forty-two months. He opened his mouth in order to speak blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, those who are in heaven. Rev 13:5-6.

           The beast from the sea here behaves in a manner that makes perfect sense from a human perspective. If you want to be great, if you want to be highly regarded by others, you “talk big things” like the beast does here. Let everyone know how great you are. And it doesn’t hurt your image to swear a little, make everyone think how tough and how cool you are. And don’t forget to walk with a little swagger! Then people will think you’re really great!
           How the gospel goes against the grain! The sea beast is attempting to take the place of Jesus Christ in the hearts of earth’s inhabitants. And to a degree he succeeds. But for the real Jesus, greatness is not seen in big talk, swearing and swaggering. Real greatness is characterized by a basin and a towel (John 13). Real greatness humbles itself, even unto death (Phil 2:5-8).
           I caught just a glimpse of real greatness on the golf course one day. The group a friend and I were playing with took the game very seriously. Bad shots were often followed by a string of profanities, as each desperately sought to show that he was better than the others. On the seventeenth hole the president of the club faced a crucial shot. The game was close and every shot counted. He studied the layout ahead, took a couple of practice swings and carefully prepared to hit the ball. He swung a little high, and instead of moving the ball ahead, drove it into the ground. I waited in silence for the inevitable. He said nothing and prepared to swing again. This time he drove the ball even deeper into the ground! Once again he said absolutely nothing. I was amazed. It was like stubbing your toe twice on one trip across the room. Yet he said nothing (you could see on his face that it wasn’t easy).
           As my friend and I were leaving the clubhouse a little later, I stepped back in and went up to the man, put a hand on his shoulder, and said, “It took a really big man to do what you did on number seventeen without swearing.”
           I learned that day that anybody can swear, the man of really strong character is the one who can face bitter circumstances without letting loose. It is easier to become president of a golf club than it is to control your speech or humble yourself to serve others. True greatness does not come from following the beast, it comes from following the Lamb. Our true character is revealed by what comes out of our mouth.

           Lord, Your words are gracious and kind. You left heaven for me, to save me and to show me the path to true greatness. May You live that kind of greatness through me today.