John, the beloved disciple, was an influential leader in the early church. He wrote a gospel, three letters included in the New Testament, and the Book of Revelation. He was used by the Lord to express the truth of the gospel to all people, especially the Gentiles. In the structure of his gospel, the number seven is important, author and pastor Ken Clayton believes. John begins by laying out seven themes he develops in the rest of his account of Jesus' life and ministry. Then John presents seven days in the first week of Jesus' public ministry; records seven signs that point to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God; elaborates on the seven "I Am who I Am" sayings of Jesus; selects seven testimonies of people who encountered Jesus; and presents seven events and teachings of Jesus in His last week of earthly ministry. His gospel concludes with seven significant events after the resurrection of Jesus. All of these sevens are intended for a single purpose, however: "That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:30-31).
John, the beloved disciple, was an influential leader in the early church. He wrote a gospel, three letters included in the New Testament, and the Book of Revelation. He was used by the Lord to express the truth of the gospel to all people, especially the Gentiles. In the structure of his gospel, the number seven is important, author and pastor Ken Clayton believes. John begins by laying out seven themes he develops in the rest of his account of Jesus' life and ministry. Then John presents seven days in the first week of Jesus' public ministry; records seven signs that point to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God; elaborates on the seven "I Am who I Am" sayings of Jesus; selects seven testimonies of people who encountered Jesus; and presents seven events and teachings of Jesus in His last week of earthly ministry. His gospel concludes with seven significant events after the resurrection of Jesus. All of these sevens are intended for a single purpose, however: "That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:30-31).