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 September 29, 2026

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And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and he was authorized to scorch the human race with fire. And the people were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues, and they did not repent in order that they might give Him glory. Rev 16:8-9.

           Some people believe that television programs, television ads and movies are lessening the quality of real life. Real life can’t seem to compete with Hollywood. In a single hour of television, there are usually more moments of suspense, more odd twists, and more romantic accidents than most people experience in a decade. And that is not even counting the 15 minutes or so of commercials that remind everyone how inadequate real life is.
           Because of man-made images people find it hard to look at the sky, the sea, or the forest with the wonder they deserve. Man-made images seem a lot more interesting. In real life,
           funny, heartfelt, profound, and even miraculous things happen. But they happen in God’s time, scattered in the midst of “run-of-the-mill,” everyday activities. Compared to the dazzling array of experiences people have on TV, real life just doesn’t seem worth writing home about.
           It makes one wonder what it would take for God to get through to most people in today’s world. Would it take something as big as the seven last plagues? Or would even that hardly faze the hardened devotees of visual fiction? The above text reminds us that God will do whatever it takes to bring us back to reality.
           You see, the “glitter” of those false images rubs off sooner or later. When that happens, we have to build bigger and better images to try to keep up. Eventually we become disillusioned with the race for bigger and better images that can’t get any bigger or better. When we tire of the things that “pacify” us, we will begin to look for something “real” that cannot be topped. That
           is where we begin to look for God.
           People who have everything run into despair. Their relationships are a wreck, they have spent their lives pursuing things that don’t give life meaning. They come face to face with the reality that the death rate is roughly a hundred per cent. At some point we have to get a grip on our limitations and look for something eternal. But in a world filled with “virtual reality,” it is that much harder to find the real or even want the real.
           God sometimes lets us experience everything that we think will make us happy, so that in desperation we will seek the only One who can truly make us happy. The sad thing is that some have allowed themselves to become so hardened that even God’s loudest megaphone (the plagues) will not get their attention. I’d rather start paying attention now.

           Lord, do whatever it takes to get my attention today.