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 16, 2026

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Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan–who say that they are Jews, but are not, they are actually liars–I will cause them to come and bow down before your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Rev 3:9.

           Bob is a Presbyterian pastor from the Philippines. Some call him a “natural-born” pastor. He carries his faith around with him, always with a kindly jest and an uplifting rebuke. To speak with him is to know that you have been with a believer.
           One day, on his way to the pulpit to preach, he stopped near his wife and picked up his 10-month-old daughter. Carrying her in his arms, he stepped up to the podium and began his sermon. At first the little girl stared wide-eyed at the people before her, but soon she reached out and grabbed her dad’s tie, and put it in her mouth. Everyone laughed. Pastor Bob freed his tie and put it back in his suit, and continued his sermon.
           His tiny daughter then grabbed his glasses and pulled them off. People chuckled. Retrieving his glasses, Pastor Bob put them back in place and kissed his daughter. He continued to preach. After a minute or so, the little girl reached out and grabbed him by the nose! Everyone, including Pastor Bob, broke out in laughter.
           When it finally became still, Pastor Bob said to the congregation, “Is there anything that she could do that you could not forgive her for?” People began to nod, thinking of their own children and grandchildren.
           Pastor Bob continued, “And when does that end? At three? At fifteen? At thirty? How old does someone have to be before you forget that everyone is a child of God?”
           There was total silence in the audience. You could hear a pin drop.
           Very softly the pastor asked, “And when did you forget that you too are a child of God?”¹
           Does God love us less than we love our children? Is a three-year-old’s continuation as part of the family conditional upon never making a mess? Conditional on earning his or her keep? Do we think God is a poorer parent than most of us? Do we feel inside that we could never be good enough to merit God’s acceptance and favor? Consciously, or unconsciously, we often operate from a fear-driven covenant with God, and many of our behaviors and relationships are motivated by an effort to avoid God’s judgement.
           Many of us strive fearfully to deserve God’s love. We are reluctant to believe that we belong. Perhaps that is the cause of most of our stress. Perhaps we need to become like children again to know just how much God loves us.

           Lord, thank You for accepting me as part of Your family in Christ. Thank You for the many tokens of love You have placed in the world around me. I will rest in Your love today.

¹ Based on an email from Dan Millen, February 17, 2003.