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 4, 2026
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The one who overcomes and keeps my works until the end, I will give him authority over the nations. He will rule them with a rod of iron the way a ceramic vessel is shattered, just as I have received (authority) from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.Rev 2:26-29.
What is it that motivates people to accomplish difficult tasks? How is it that some people are able to put up with all kinds of hardship and difficulty for a relatively minor reward? Some people, for example, and I’m one of them, will endure all kinds of sweat, pain and exhaustion for a mountain-top view. Others will travel as much as a half a day for a meal at their favorite restaurant. Students will work five times as hard at their studies to get a good grade at the end of the course.
I have a daughter who loves winter camping. She is truly amazing. She once spent a whole week out of doors in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in February! She and about seventeen others dragged hundred pound packs on sleds behind them in the snow, slept in teepees, and cooked their food over tiny camp stoves that they had to drag into the camp along with their food, clothing, bedding, flashlights and other supplies. Special clothing and supplies for the trip cost almost a thousand dollars!
One of the most interesting features of dragging a sled through the snow is how hot it is! While the temperature at the beginning of the day might be as low as -18o F, the warmth of the winter sun, combined with the high-end camp clothing, led to waves and waves of sweat. My daughter’s number one desire at the end of the week was to find a shower!
My daughter cannot wait to go winter camping again. Yet one day she was complaining about how hard it was, the aching muscles, the sweat, the shortness of breath. I asked her what kept her going at those times. She said, “I didn’t want to fall behind everybody else!” For her that was powerful motivation!
Jesus knows that everyone needs motivation to change their ways or accomplish something great. In the letter to the church at Thyatira He tells them to keep their eye on the reward! The day is coming when Jesus will give them authority over the nations. They will be kings and priests in heavenly places. They will have authority like His authority. He will also give them the morning star. But then in Rev 22:16 it tells us that Jesus is the morning star. He is giving them Himself. So the ultimate motivation is a close relationship with Jesus.
Lord, help me to keep my eye on the reward today. I can accomplish amazing things when I know that You are with me.