First Thoughts
The purpose of this web site is to provide sane, evidence-based information about the Bible's Book of Revelation in the context of the exciting times in which we live. The primary owner and author of the site is Jon Paulien, a professor of New Testament at Andrews University and a specialist in the Book of Revelation. The blogs posted on this site will include studies of particular texts in Revelation and also exploring issues of interpretation and how the Book of Revelation impacts today's world and how today's world impacts the way we study Revelation.
A companion web site is also under construction. It is thebattleofarmageddon.com. That site will focus particularly on the End-time scenarios of Revelation. It will include devotionals based on the Book of Revelation and an online store where visitors can eventually purchase materials that include audio and video lectures on Revelation and DVD video presentations.
It is my hope that both sites will be active by the first of January, 2007. Check back by the first of the year and then visit over and over again as new content is added. If you have suggestions about issues I should address in my blogs, feel free to write.
Best wishes,
Jon Paulien
Great to see you starting a blog Jon. I'm sure many of us will look forward to your musings.
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I'm eagerly awaiting...your thoughts, reflections, and full advent in Loma Linda! Thanks for letting me know about the blog!
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Welcome to the world of Blogging! It's great to see you online.
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Jon,
"Freely receive, freely give" is something we are commanded to do. Will you be offering your 60 CDs available for download in MP3 files for free? If you need help in getting them converted to MP3 format, let me know.
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JC,
I am exploring that option with the manufacturer. They are working on an MP3 version. We will see if they give permission to download single pieces.
Jon
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Your interview on 3ABN caught my attention...and HELD it! Gratitude & appreciation.
What a delight to learn that peasants such as myself can have access to such an experienced and educated giraffe (if I may liken you to such) who, via your CD's lets us into your classroom.
I'm puzzled with poster's "chips in the air" comments, if Truth is progressive depending on the experience and faith of each individual seeker, it would follow that when interpretations are offered which challenge that individual's current interpretation, he has the option to evaluate then reject or align it with his current understanding of The Word. Isn't it those very challenges that drive us to deeper study and reflection— often resulting in "AhHa!" moments— leading to a brighter and happier relationship with our Lord?
Of course, each of us has the ultimate power of veto [freewill] so why should any new/different idea be unsettling?
Oh, and how can I get a copy of your own translation of Revelation that you referenced during the visit with Danny?
Eagerly awaiting 3ABN project,
Mele
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Mele,
We're working on the translation. Not as simple a project as it may sound. Hope to post it on the web site before the end of 2007.
Jon
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Jon: it was so nice to see and hear you speak on 3ABN "Revelation for Dummies." Just what I need some tools to help me understand the deeper mysteries of God. We can all dive deeper into that subject. If you do have MP3 messages available I would be very interested. Thanks for all your study and commitment. Chris
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I am so happy to have seen you on 3ABN. I'm not SDA but am very interested in learning about this Faith and learning a different way to think about Revelations. I feel you are part of my growing experience with SDA's and look forward to reading your Website daily.
I want to learn the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I'm also looking forward to your program on 3ABN. I really enjoy your laid back way of teaching. I'm so excited about learning. Thank you so much, Diana
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I was excited to capture the theme of worship marked the early encounter of Yahweh in Exodus 3:12. The theme is put in put in the context of "people coming out of Egypt and worshipping Yahweh in Mt. Horeb.
This theme, as you point in Revelation series, comes full circle to those being "called out of Babylon" and worship Him who is the Creator.
What a calling and what a continual theme. And this is done with an emphasize on Who, When and Why.
Kemboi
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do not be afraid
PRAISE GOD
QUOTE EINSTEIN
look for what is not what should be.
the important thing is not to stop the questions.
What is the meaning of life?
THE QUESTION IS THE ANSWER
thats my own lil revalation
Revelation is an uncovering or disclosure via communication from the divine of something that has been partially or wholly hidden or unknown, "which could not be known apart from the unveiling"
revelation is the process, or act of making divine information known, often through direct ontological realization which transcends the human state and reaches into the divine Intellect
QUOTE David Gosney
WHAT IS THE MEAING OF LIFE?
THE QUESTION IS THE ANSWER.
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Inspiration takes many forms. There are people who say they live “Inspired” lives. For some a beautiful sunset or the brightly colored wings of a butterfly inspire them to write a song. Others are inspired by the love expressed to them by their husband, wife or child that causes them to make sacrifices of their personal comfort or very life for the benefit of the other. Many say that they are “Inspired” by the Word of God that fills their lives to overflowing with the ‘fruits of the spirit’. And a small number of people have claimed (or had someone make the claim about them) that God “Inspired” them either to deeds of surpassing benefit to mankind, or to do abject evil (suicide bombers). In every one of these cases the inspiration has come upon them from the outside that caused them to do what they did, for good or evil.
Most of us don’t pause to actually think about the definitions of the words we use. We acknowledge ‘common usage’ of words in our everyday language and don’t realize that the true meaning may be opposite to what we intend. This is the case when we use the word “Inspire”. The word “Inspire” is a verb that acts from the inside, not from the outside.
Take a deep breath, what do you experience? If you are in the mountains and the air is clear you can have an experience that rivals a kiss. Now light up a cigarette or stand close to someone who has and take a deep breath, what do you experience? If you have never smoked before you will experience coughing, hacking, and a burning sensation in your throat and lungs. In both cases you inspired (breathed in), but the results were dramatically different.
In the spiritual world we use the word inspire to suggest that God has singled someone out for a specific purpose. We say with certainty that the Bible is ‘inspired,’ or that someone we view as a prophet or apostle was ‘inspired’. Many people say that the Spirit of God directly inspired the writers of the Gospels. They even say that Paul was inspired on the Damascus road by a vision of Jesus Christ. As an example, today the Mormons claim that Joseph Smith was a prophet and was ‘inspired’ by God. Adventists make the claim that Ellen G. White was a prophet and was directly inspired by God, (as did she herself), so much so, that they say with complete certainty that her writings and books are “The Spirit of Prophecy”.
Is any of this true? How are we to tell? The only way to really know which spirit it is that you have chosen to inspire (breath in) is by comparing the truth that this spirit leads you to, with the teachings of Jesus Christ given to us by actual eyewitnesses when He was here on this earth. It appears that the only eyewitnesses to Jesus' testimony in the New Testament were Matthew, John and Peter. Perhaps this is the reason Luke, Mark, James and Paul's writings are very hard to understand.
To know the truth to what people call "divine information" one must know the spirit they are dealing with.
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