"Completion"

 "There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples." (John 21:2 KJV)

  "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look - I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. White down what you have seen - both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen. This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of seven churches, the seven lampstands are the seven churches."" (Revelation 1:17-20 NLT)

 I have always been searching for numerical meanings of certain numbers, like the number 6 is likened to man, the number 7 is to represent completion, perfection, or God, and the number 8, will sometimes show new beginnings. Within the Bible are so many things which overlap and can take us down so many different trials, as we discover a very complex web of the Truth; the likes of which are very hard to explain! 

 Dr. Chuck would always begin his presentations saying, "The Bible has 66 books and 40 authors," which is a fact that cannot be denied. However, when it comes right down to it, there is only One author, who spoke and wrote through 40 different people! This can only be how it was, because many of the authors wrote at various times and in various places, yet they all come together as a perfect beautiful masterpiece! 

 Other than that, as Matthew Henry points out, Roman law required seven witnesses to attest to any fact or happening. Three are spoken of by name; two are spoken of by their association, which were James and John; and the other two are not named, but were most likely Andrew and Philip, based upon their occupation as fishermen. 

 Matthew Henry also mentions how this particular chapter, according to some, might have been written by someone other than John; which, as he points out, "John says, 'This disciple testifies to these things,' after the dialog with Jesus and Peter in verses 20-23. So, there is no truth in that, whatsoever! 

 Which then brings me back to my earlier discussion about who were the first two disciples, if it even matters! Many commentators have them being Andrew and Peter, but it was Andrew and John that first followed Jesus! Andrew left John with Jesus and went to go find Peter; and then Peter came and meet Jesus. But it was John who stayed with Jesus as Andrew went to get Peter. 

 How do I know this? John never mentions his own name, but he does give the time of day, as he shares about his visit with Jesus! Why is that so important? Because his Book was written many years after these events happened, yet he still remembered the time of day that he fell in love with Jesus! I may not remember what date it was, but I know it was Sunday, and I know it was about 11:00 in the morning! 

 There is no way that he could know the time, if it wasn't his experience with Jesus...

"The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. Jesus looked around and saw them following, "What do you want?" he asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day." (John 1:35-39 NLT)