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 November 12, 2026

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And it was given to her (the wife of the Lamb) to be dressed in fine linen, bright and clean (for the fine linen is the righteous actions of the saints). Rev 19:8.

           The word translated “righteous acts” occurs only two times in the Book of Revelation. The first time it appears is in Rev 15:4, where it is the righteous acts of God that are in view. The nations at the end of history worship before God because His righteous acts “have been revealed.” In Rev 15:4 the total focus is on the action of God. But in Rev 19:8 it is the saints who are the authors of the righteous actions. I suspect that the reader of Revelation was expected to connect the dots between the works of God and the works of the saints.
           Wishing to encourage her young son’s progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked “NO ADMITTANCE.” When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.
           Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway piano on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy’s ear, “Don’t quit. Keep playing.” Leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn’t recall what else the great master played that night. Only the classic “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
           Perhaps that’s the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren’t always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life’s work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to do something really great, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, “Don’t quit. Keep playing.” God sometimes “calls” those He has already equipped, more often He equips those He has already “called.”¹

           Lord, it often seems that things won’t work right unless they are done my way. Thank You for the reminder that whatever “greatness” I may achieve in this life, it is based primarily on what You add to my feeble efforts.

¹ This story has been often told. I have adapted it from an email forwarded by Deanna Lee on February 18, 2004.