Revelation 7:4-8 — Sealing of 144,000 from the 12 Tribes of Israel

Rev. 7:4   And I heard the  number of those who were sealed,  one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

5          from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,

6          from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,

7          from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,

8          from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

Prayer and Bible Expo

What does John hear? (7:4)

“And I heard the number of those who were sealed. . .” (7:4).

How many are sealed? (7:4)

144,000

Who are the 144,000 to be sealed? (7:4)

“one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” (7:4).

How many tribes of Israel are listed? (7:5-8)

12: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.

What is the number to be sealed from each tribe? (7:5-8)

12,000 (12,000 X 12 = 144,000)

(Opinion) What are possible reasons for the exclusion of the tribes of Ephraim (Joseph’s second son) and Dan from the tribal list in Revelation?

•        Joseph is listed and may represent his son, Ephraim. Manasseh, Joseph's other son, is included.
•         Levi is usually excluded from the tribal lists, but the priestly tribe is included in Revelation. If Dan was also included, there would have been 13 tribes on the list. “According to J.B. Smith, Scripture contains 29 lists of the tribes of Israel in the Old and New Testaments and in no case are more than 12 tribes mentioned”, (A Revelation of Jesus Christ, p. 130).
•        Ephraim and Dan may not have a remnant present on earth during the Tribulation to be sealed. However, tribal allotments are listed for both Ephraim and Dan in the Millennium (Ezel 48:1, 5). God has sovereignly preserved a remnant from each tribe of Israel.

What impresses you about Rev 7:4-8?

The presence of a remnant from each of the tribes of Israel at the end of the age means that a remnant of each tribe has been preserved by God’s sovereign election today. God precisely preserves an exact number at the end of the age from each tribe. Even if a Jew does not retain conscious knowledge of their personal tribal identification, God knows.

John’s vision of the tribes at the end of the present age confirm Ezekiel’s vision of the future restoration of Israel  (Ezek 48). God will be glorified as He redeems and restores Israel at the end of the age, fulfilling His eternal promises and purposes for Israel in the redemption and righteous rule of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God and glory of Israel. Jesus the Messiah will reign in Jerusalem over all the nations, and Israel will dwell blessed and secure in her land, according to Yahweh's covenants with Abraham (Gen 12:1-3, 17:8), David (2 Sam 7), and the houses of Israel and of Judah (Jer 31:31).

What do you learn about God from Rev 7:4-8? How could this transform your life?

God is sovereign. God has preserved a remnant of Israel and He will protect His bond-servants during times of trouble. No power on earth, above or below, can destroy the remnant of Israel. God’s plans and purposes for Israel cannot and will not be thwarted. Trust the God of Israel to save, sanctify, and glorify His elect through Jesus the Messiah.

LORD God Almighty,

Great is Your glory revealed in Your sovereign power to preserve Your covenant nation. Glory and thanks to You in Jesus the Messiah. Never will You leave, never will You forsake. You have preserved a Jewish remnant and kept her as the apple of Your eye, hiding her in the shadow of Your wings. You push back against the nations who plunder her, for whoever touches her touches the apple of Your eye. May Your people rejoice in the Lord always, fearless and faithful, for great is Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.