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 13, 2026

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And the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were smitten, in order that a third of them might be darkened, and that a third of the day might not shine, nor a third of the night likewise. Rev 8:12.

           The text here speaks about a partial darkness, one that affects some people more than others, one that affects some parts of the day more than others. This is a good description of life as we experience it. The darkness of sin affects some people more than others.
           A humorous story tells about two famous people. Jack Nicklaus was one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. Stevie Wonder is a popular singer distinguished by the fact that he is totally blind. The two of them supposedly got together one day and Nicklaus was astounded to hear that Wonder was an avid golfer, too.
           “How can you possibly play golf when you’re blind?” Nicklaus queried.
           “Oh, it’s not so hard, really,” Stevie Wonder said, “When I tee up my ball I have my caddie walk out the distance I usually drive and call to me from the center of the fairway. Then I hit the ball in his direction and he calls to me from where it lands. I walk over to the ball and then he moves further out in the direction I need to hit until he is standing in the center of the green. He tells me how far it is to traps and water hazards and I hit the ball accordingly.”
           “That’s amazing!” Jack Nicklaus said. “But tell me something, how do you ever manage to putt?”
           “Oh, that’s the easy part for me. The caddie describes the tilt and speed of the green and then lies on his stomach, talking to me from right behind the hole. I just hit the ball to his voice. In fact, I think I could beat you if we played together.”
           “You’re incredible,” said Nicklaus, “But there is no way you could beat me.”
           “Actually, I think I could,” said Wonder, “Why don’t we play a round today?”
           “I’m free,” Nicklaus said, “What time shall we get together?”
           Stevie Wonder replied, “How about ten o’clock tonight?”
           If you know anything about golf you had a good laugh at that one. Golf is not a game most people would try at night. A teacher of mine loved to say, “In the land of the blind, one eye is king!” Well in the darkness of night a blind man has distinct advantages over a sighted person. When the darkness of sin comes over the world, those who follow God will have a great advantage, they will see with spiritual eyesight (cf. John 9:39-41).

           Lord, help me not to limit myself to one or two ways of knowing You. Energize all my senses to be receptive to the signals You want to send me.