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 April 14, 2026

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You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, because you created all things, and on account of your will they came into existence and were created. Rev 4:11.

           In December of every year we receive a free calendar in the mail. The calendar contains pictures of local scenery and is nicely laid out. But its primary purpose is not to let us know what day it is. The calendar comes from the Cook Nuclear Plant, located about ten miles to the west of our home. The purpose of the calendar is to make sure every resident of the area knows the signals and the evacuation routes in case of a nuclear accident.
           The plant is nestled between sand dunes and the shore of Lake Michigan. Deep within its core is enough nuclear power to incinerate most of the county in which I live. To make matters worse, the prevailing wind blows directly from the location of the plant to the neighborhood where I live. I find it sobering, therefore, that the nearest evacuation bridge (to escape toward the east) is a mile closer to the plant than my house is. Potentially, that could be a very deadly mile.
           The reason we have to live under such a shadow is our society’s massive need for electricity. Life as we know it would not exist without it. Imagine having to preserve and cook food, bake and toast bread, or wash clothes without electricity. Without electricity in my home the clocks, the water heater, the furnace, the lights, and the air conditioner would not function. Just about everything in today’s world that enhances human comfort requires electricity. Anyone with electricity is infinitely richer than anyone without it.
           To put it another way, many of us have become totally dependant on the electricity monster. And perhaps dependency isn’t such a bad thing. God has designed a universe in which every part is dependant on other parts. The trees breathe in our exhaled breath and give us oxygen in return. There are birds who enjoy the food crawling on the backs of rhinos, giving the rhinos relief from bugs and a comforting back scratch! The atomic and sub-atomic particles of the universe exist in intricate relationships with each other. Humans are dependant on plants and animals for their food and we are all dependent on our Creator.
           Jesus was the greatest human being who ever lived. Yet even Jesus was dependant on His Father for guidance and direction (John 5:19; 8:28). In His humanity He would rise up each morning before sunrise and go off by Himself and pray to the One who sent Him (Mark 1:35). Although He came down from heaven, He did not depend on Himself. So remember that you are not a generator, you are a receiver and transmitter. God is the great power source of the universe, plug in and turn on the lights!

           Lord, I am reminded of my dependence on You. Use me today according to Your will.