Revelation 21:

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

 

 

 

Revelation 21:

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 

As for the twelve apostles, the Bible lists the following names in various Gospel accounts (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:13-16, Acts 1:13):

The Twelve Apostles of Jesus:

1. Peter (Simon)

2. James (the son of Zebedee)

3. John (the brother of James)

4. Andrew (the brother of Peter)

5. Philip

6. Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael)

7. Matthew (the tax collector)

8. Thomas (also called Didymus)

9. James (the son of Alphaeus)

10. Thaddaeus (also called Lebbaeus, or Judas, son of James)

11. Simon (the Zealot)

12. Judas Iscariot (who was later replaced by Matthias after his betrayal of Jesus)

After Judas Iscariot's betrayal and death, Matthias was chosen to take his place, so in the early church, Matthias was considered the twelfth apostle.

 

In Revelation 21:12, it talks about the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem, each one having an angel and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on them. While the angels are not named individually, the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are specifically listed in Scripture, and these names correspond to the gates in Revelation.

Here are the twelve tribes of Israel, derived from the sons of Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel):

The Twelve Tribes of Israel:

1. Reuben (the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah)

2. Simeon (the second son of Jacob and Leah)

3. Levi (the third son of Jacob and Leah) Ephraim

4. Judah (the fourth son of Jacob and Leah)

5. Dan (the fifth son of Jacob and Bilhah, Rachel's maid) Manasseh

6. Naphtali (the sixth son of Jacob and Bilhah)

7. Gad (the seventh son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah's maid)

8. Asher (the eighth son of Jacob and Zilpah)

9. Issachar (the ninth son of Jacob and Leah)

10. Zebulun (the tenth son of Jacob and Leah)

11. Joseph (the eleventh son of Jacob and Rachel)

12. Benjamin (the twelfth and youngest son of Jacob and Rachel)

The twelve gates in the New Jerusalem have these tribe names on them, symbolizing the foundational connection to God's covenant with Israel. In Revelation 7:5-8, there’s a listing of the twelve tribes of Israel, though it mentions that the tribe of Dan is excluded in some interpretations, and Joseph and Levi are included differently in that list, reflecting a later symbolic or theological interpretation.

Interesting Points to Consider:

• The twelve gates reflect the twelve tribes of Israel, showing the continuity of God’s covenant with His people.

• Each gate’s angel might represent the protection and divine order tied to each tribe.

• The presence of Levi (traditionally priests) and the inclusion of Joseph (as one tribe, though he had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh) in Revelation's imagery might highlight the roles they played in the broader narrative of salvation history.

 

Let’s explore the symbolism and significance of the twelve tribes of Israel and how they relate to both the Old Testament and the New Jerusalem in Revelation.

1. Reuben – The Firstborn Son

• Meaning of Name: "Behold, a son" or "See, a son."

• Symbolism: Reuben was the firstborn of Jacob and Leah, which traditionally gave him a position of honor, but he lost his birthright because of an incident involving his father’s concubine (Genesis 35:22). His tribe, therefore, did not have the same prominence as others, though they were still significant.

• In Revelation: As the first gate, Reuben might symbolize the initial covenant with God's people, with Israel being God's firstborn nation.

2. Simeon – The Second Son

• Meaning of Name: "He has heard."

• Symbolism: Simeon, along with his brother Levi, is remembered for the violent act they committed against the city of Shechem (Genesis 34). His tribe's history includes conflict and struggle for identity, yet they still carry God's promise forward.

• In Revelation: Simeon’s gate could symbolize God's hearing of Israel's cries for justice, even in their failings.

3. Levi – The Third Son

• Meaning of Name: "Joined" or "Attached."

• Symbolism: The Levites became the priestly tribe, dedicated to service in the tabernacle and later the Temple. They were set apart to serve God directly (Numbers 3:6-13). They did not receive a specific inheritance of land, as their inheritance was God Himself.

• In Revelation: The inclusion of Levi in Revelation highlights the role of the priesthood in God’s plan for Israel, which continues in the New Jerusalem where believers (symbolized by the twelve apostles) also serve as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

4. Judah – The Fourth Son

• Meaning of Name: "Praise."

• Symbolism: Judah holds a prominent place in Israel's history. From Judah came King David, and ultimately, Jesus Christ Himself (the "Lion of Judah"). Judah represents kingship, authority, and the fulfillment of God's promise to establish David's line forever (2 Samuel 7:16).

• In Revelation: Judah’s gate is particularly significant because it ties directly to the Messianic lineage. Jesus is often referred to as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5), signifying that the salvation of the world came through this tribe.

5. Dan – The Fifth Son

• Meaning of Name: "He has judged."

• Symbolism: Dan’s tribe has a complex legacy. While they were one of the ten northern tribes, Dan also became associated with idolatry during the period of the Judges (Judges 18). Their lack of prominence in later biblical texts reflects the consequences of their departure from faithfulness.

• In Revelation: The tribe of Dan is notably absent from the list of tribes in Revelation 7, which has led some scholars to interpret this as a symbol of apostasy or a warning about the dangers of idolatry and disobedience.

6. Naphtali – The Sixth Son

• Meaning of Name: "My wrestling."

• Symbolism: Naphtali’s tribe was known for its warriors and played an important role in the battles during Israel’s conquest of Canaan (Judges 5:18). Naphtali is often associated with the northern tribes and has a reputation for being quick and agile in battle.

• In Revelation: This tribe's gate could symbolize perseverance and struggle, yet ultimately, victory over spiritual opposition through God's strength.

7. Gad – The Seventh Son

• Meaning of Name: "Good fortune" or "Troop."

• Symbolism: Gad’s tribe was known for its warriors and for settling east of the Jordan River. They are symbolized by a troop or army, showing a military strength that protected Israel.

• In Revelation: Gad’s tribe might symbolize the military or protective aspect of God’s people, guarding the holiness of God’s city.

8. Asher – The Eighth Son

• Meaning of Name: "Happy" or "Blessed."

• Symbolism: Asher’s tribe was known for its fertility and prosperity. The tribe received a rich inheritance in the fertile land of Canaan. Asher represents joy and blessing.

• In Revelation: The gate of Asher might represent the joy and peace of the New Jerusalem, where God’s people experience true happiness and abundance.

9. Issachar – The Ninth Son

• Meaning of Name: "There is reward."

• Symbolism: Issachar's tribe was known for their wisdom and understanding of the times (1 Chronicles 12:32). They were often seen as a people who understood God's will and had the ability to interpret it.

• In Revelation: Issachar could symbolize the wisdom and discernment needed to navigate the challenges of faith and the understanding that rewards come from faithful service to God.

10. Zebulun – The Tenth Son

• Meaning of Name: "Dwelling."

• Symbolism: Zebulun’s tribe settled near the sea and became known for commerce and trade. They were also warriors, assisting in battles. Zebulun’s legacy often reflects the idea of stability and prosperity.

• In Revelation: This gate might represent the balance of earthly work and heavenly calling—prosperity in the world but with a focus on God’s kingdom.

11. Joseph – The Eleventh Son

• Meaning of Name: "May He add."

• Symbolism: Joseph was a key figure in Israel’s history. His story of suffering and later exaltation (Genesis 41) mirrors Christ’s death and resurrection. His two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, became tribes in their own right, with Joseph’s blessing elevating them.

• In Revelation: Joseph’s tribe represents God’s faithfulness and the idea that God adds blessings even out of hardship. The tribe of Joseph is important for its role in preserving the family line through his sons.

12. Benjamin – The Twelfth Son

• Meaning of Name: "Son of the right hand."

• Symbolism: Benjamin was the youngest and the only son born to Jacob and Rachel in the Promised Land. His tribe was known for its warriors and played a key role in defending Israel, even after the division into northern and southern kingdoms.

• In Revelation: Benjamin’s gate symbolizes strength, divine favor, and God's ultimate protection of His people.

Final Thoughts on the Twelve Tribes:

In Revelation, the names of the twelve tribes on the gates signify the complete fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. They represent the entirety of Israel, from the foundational patriarchs to the ultimate spiritual fulfillment found in the New Jerusalem. The twelve gates in the New Jerusalem symbolize access to God’s eternal kingdom, which is open to all who have faith in Christ, not only the Jewish people.

The gates with these names show that God's promises to Israel are part of the larger plan of salvation for all nations through Jesus Christ. The tribes, each with their own history, strengths, weaknesses, and divine calling, point to God's grace and faithfulness through the ages.