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 June 14, 2025

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And I saw and I heard a vulture flying in mid-heaven saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe, to those who live on the earth because of the rest of the sounds of the three angels who are about to blow their trumpets.” Rev 8:13.

           The role of the trumpets in Revelation is marked out more clearly than most people realize. The key to understanding them is Rev 6:9-11 (NIV). There the “souls under the altar” cry out, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” The “inhabitants of the earth” are those who have persecuted and martyred God’s faithful people. These “inhabitants” appear again in Rev 8:13 (NIV). The three woes of trumpets five, six and seven fall on “the inhabitants of the earth.” The seven trumpets, therefore, are judgments on those who have martyred and persecuted the faithful people of God.
           Revelation 8:2-6 tells us that the trumpets are blown in response to the prayers of the saints, which rise up like incense from the altar (Rev 8:3-4). What are those prayers? They are the prayers of the martyred saints (Rev 6:9-11), calling out for justice. When those prayers reach heaven mingled with incense, judgments are hurled down to the earth (Rev 8:5-6). The seven trumpets, therefore, carry a powerful message to those who have been abused, neglected and killed on account of their faith. The trumpets assure them that God is actively confronting those who oppressed them. And those judgments begin already in this life.
           A friend of mine was a professor at a school of medicine. A church officer pled with him to leave his job at great professional and financial cost to himself and work for the church, living in a small church-owned apartment . Out of love for Jesus he accepted without hesitation. He joyfully threw himself the work of the church.
           But one day my friend had a difference of opinion with the church officer. The officer felt that his dignity had been offended and his authority challenged. Without warning he arranged for my friend to be fired. My friend was stunned, and for several hours he dazedly cleaned out his desk and office. Having been a man of wealth and influence in his country, he now had no job and no source of income.
           In discouragement he went home only to find the locks of the church apartment changed and all his belongings tossed out on the sidewalk, up for sale to anyone who would pass by. His wife had discovered them there and was sitting on a couch, sobbing uncontrollably. While revenge would be a thought on most people’s minds, my friend decided to leave that up to God. The trumpets assure us that God marks the injustices of this world and will make them right in His time.

           Lord, thank You for the assurance that everything that happens to me matters to You.