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 17, 2026

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And locusts came out of the smoke onto the earth. And they were given authority like the scorpions of the earth have authority. Rev 9:3.

           I have only seen one scorpion in the wild. I was staying in a kibbutz at the edge of Jerusalem when a scorpion wandered in the wide-open outside door of the ballroom and headed across the floor. The fearsome stinger was in full view the whole time, arched over the scorpion’s back. A crowd gathered at a safe distance to watch its progress, wondering fearfully what to do. After a couple of minutes a skittish but determined colleague of mine found a wide-mouthed glass, turned it upside down and covered the scorpion on the floor with the glass. He then slipped a piece of paper between it and the floor. This way he was able to return the creature carefully to the out of doors.
           The story is told of a frog and a scorpion who were contemplating a swift river that they needed to cross. The barrier was more of a problem to the scorpion than it was to the frog. So the scorpion asked the frog to allow it to ride on the frog’s back across the river.
           “Why would I allow you to do that?” asked the frog, “When we get halfway across the river you will sting me and I will drown.”
           “Why would I do that?” asked the scorpion, “If you drown so will I. It would be stupid for me to sting you.”
           Convinced by the scorpion’s argument, the frog agreed to ferry the scorpion across the river. Halfway across the river the scorpion stung the frog. As both were going down to their deaths, the frog protested, “Why did you do that? You promised!”
           “I couldn’t help it,” responded the scorpion, “It’s my nature to sting!”
           While I was able to avoid it that day, I am told that the scorpion’s sting is one of the most painful things a human being can endure. The excruciating pain garners one’s full attention for some time. In this passage the scorpion represents the power of darkness and evil. Satan offers people enticing opportunities. He promises that if they will follow him they will have pleasures galore, wealth and fame, everything their heart desires.
           His followers quickly discover, however, that while he may promise many things, it is his nature to torment those in his control. The enticing things he dangles, like illicit sex, power over others, and the accumulation of things, all have consequences that lead to misery and pain. He seeks to hide these consequences with a pleasant face, but let the tempted ones beware! There is no joy and no future in serving Satan.

           Lord, I am constantly bombarded with advertisements and other incentives to make choices that would lead me away from You. Share a good dose of reality with me today.