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 July 19, 2026

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And in that hour there was a great earthquake and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed by the earthquake and the remnant became afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has gone away. Behold the third woe is coming quickly. Rev 11:13-14.

           The word “remnant” in this passage anticipates the use of the same word in Rev 12:17. I believe it also anticipates the work of the 144,000 in Revelation 14. Let me explain. Both the remnant (Rev 12:17) and the 144,000 (Rev 14:1-5) are the same group. Both concepts are modeled on Joel 2:32, where a remnant on Mount Zion calls on the name of the Lord. In Revelation 14, the 144,000, represented by an angel, proclaim: “Fear God and give glory to Him” (Rev 14:7). Now it is possible that the remnant of our text is merely “afraid.” But I think it is more likely that they are responding to the message of Rev 14:7. The remnant of Rev 11:13 fear God and give Him glory, just as the first angel calls on the world to do.
           There are at least three types of fear. The first is the fear of financial ruin. I remember March 14, 2000. On that day the financial markets in the United States reached a monumental peak, many stocks and mutual funds were up hundreds of per cent from where they had been in 1995. But on that March 14 a slide began that lasted nearly three years, wiping out about half of all the money invested in the stock market. A magazine lamented, “Say good-bye to the all-powerful venture capitalists and dot-com millionaires and hello to bankruptcy lawyers, turnaround specialists, and liquidators.¹ The good news is that many failed investors were left to find their true value, not in money and possessions, but in the kingdom of God.
           The second type of fear is fear of physical harm. And this fear is legitimate. No amount of healthy living and safe driving can guarantee that we will not be harmed by earthquake, disease or criminal elements. But God has promised to be with us when we pass through the “valley of the shadow of death” (Ps 23:4, NIV). Knowing that He is in control gives us the confidence to live one day at a time, savoring each moment as a gift.
           I believe that the third type of fear is the one illustrated in this text. It is the most important kind of fear, the kind that leads us to God. God can use our natural fear, when confronted with things too big for us to control (like a great earthquake), to lead us to an awareness of His presence and a desire to be right with Him. Paul talks about working out our salvation “with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12-13). Godly fear will lead us not only to an awareness of His presence, but to the appropriate awe and reverence.

           Lord, help me to have a healthy appreciation of the fact that You are always watching me. I want to be accountable to You in everything I do.

¹ See Austin G. Archer, Living With Fear, The Adventist Review, January 8, 2004, 14-16.