What tribe is missing in Revelations 7:4-8? Why?

Question

Tuberoot: Again, Why?

There is only ONE tribe missing, not two. Ephriam and Joseph are used interchangably like Israel and Jacob are in the Bible.

Answer 1

Tribe of dan. Dan has been replaced by Manasses (Rev. 7:6). Also Manasses is the younger of the two brothers of Joseph and was for some reason was given the birthright instead of his older brother. In Judges chapter eighteen it speaks of Dan not coming into their inheritance, but I can't see what Dan did to lose their place in the 144,000 in Revelation.

Answer 2

The two missing tribes are Dan and Ephraim. There are many schools of thought as to why their descendants are left out of the final ministry of the Jews, but the one that made the most sense to me is the following:

1. Dan and Ephraim are the two who started the practice of idol worship among Israel which led to the civil war that separated the two tribes from the other 10.
2. Several religious scholars believe that a descendant of Ephraim will become the False Prophet mentioned in the Tribulation period, and that POSSIBLY a descendant of Dan will be the Antichrist because of a Scripture in Genesis that reads something to the effect that "Dan will be a serpent in the way, a venomous viper in the path that bites at the horses' heels so that his rider falls backward."

Since there is Scripture (not a lot of it obviously) that COULD point to this scenario, I believe it's the one with the most BIBLICAL backing to it.

Answer 3

Good of you to notice. This point is actually quite important and underscores what Paul and Peter taught about who God's people are.

Paul shows as Jesus did, that the fleshly Jews no longer are God's people elect. The spiritual Jew, the one described where it says that the two peoples, the Jews and the Gentiles, were made one -- this new spiritual Israel is the true people of God.

Since God still uses the term Israel and Jew, with the prefix spiritual, it is another indication that this is truly not the fleshly Israel that is being talked about.

Romans 2:28, For it is not he is a Jew, who is so outwardly; nor is that circumcision which is outwardly in the flesh: 29But he is a Jew, that is one inwardly; and the circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (DRC)

See this link for a longer discussion of this subject:
http://bythebible.page.tl/Who-are-God%5C-h-s-People-Today-f-.htm

Answer 4

These are not the 12 tribes of literal Israel, as those tribes of natural Israelites were not the “brothers” of James who were “holding the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Compare James 1:2; 2:1, 5.) While on earth, Jesus Christ had indicated that the Jews as a national entity would be rejected. He said that ‘the kingdom of God would be taken away from them and be given to a nation producing its fruits.’ (Matt. 21:43) That “nation” proved to be spiritual Israel, the real “Israel of God,” composed of Christianized Jews and believing non-Jews. (Gal. 6:16) Since natural Israel consisted of 12 tribes, it logically follows that spiritual Israel would be spoken of as having 12 tribes to show that it was a complete spiritual nation, with no part or tribe missing. There is no numerical imbalance within spiritual Israel, for the Bible book of Revelation symbolically reveals that an equal number—12,000—is sealed from every tribe. (Rev. 7:4-8) A member of this spiritual Israel must have the circumcision of the heart and a faith like that of Abraham. This is what makes a real Israelite or Jew. (Rom. 2:29; 4:16, 17; 9:6-8; Gal. 3:7, 29; 4:21-31; Phil. 3:3)

Could this not be a reference to literal, fleshly Israel? No, for Revelation 7:4-8 diverges from the usual tribal listing. (Numbers 1:17, 47) Obviously, the listing here is not for the purpose of identifying fleshly Jews by their tribes but to show a similar organizational structure for spiritual Israel. This is balanced. There are to be exactly 144,000 members of this new nation—12,000 from each of 12 tribes. No tribe in this Israel of God is exclusively royal or priestly. The whole nation is to rule as kings, and the whole nation is to serve as priests.

Although the natural Jews and Jewish proselytes were given the first opportunity to be chosen for spiritual Israel, only a minority of that nation responded. Jehovah therefore extended the invitation to the Gentiles. (John 1:10-13; Acts 2:4, 7-11; Romans 11:7) As in the case of the Ephesians, who previously had been “alienated from the state of Israel,” now non-Jews could be sealed with God’s spirit and become part of the congregation of anointed Christians. (Ephesians 2:11-13; 3:5, 6; Acts 15:14) It is appropriate, then, for the 24 elders to sing before the Lamb: “With your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.”—Revelation 5:9, 10.

The Christian congregation is “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9) Replacing natural Israel as God’s nation, it becomes a new Israel that is “really ‘Israel.’” (Romans 9:6-8; Matthew 21:43) For this reason, it was quite proper for Jesus’ half brother James to address his pastoral letter “to the twelve tribes that are scattered about,” that is, to the worldwide congregation of anointed Christians that in time would number 144,000.—James 1:1.

It was obvious that Jewry, as a people and as a nation, was not the Israel described in Revelation 7:4-8 or other Bible prophecies related to the Lord’s day. Following tradition, the Jews continued to avoid using the divine name. (Matthew 15:1-3, 7-9) The new covenant has nothing to do with the natural descendants of Israel and with mankind in general, but . . . is limited to spiritual Israel. The Bible’s restoration prophecies relate neither to the natural Jews nor to political Israel, which is a member of the United Nations and a part of the world that Jesus spoke of at John 14:19, 30 and 18:36.

Answer 5

The tribes of Ephraim and Dan are not included.

There is a tribe of Joseph, which is not of the 12 tribes listed at Numbers 1:4-16.

The Levites are mentioned, but they were set aside for service in the temple and were not part of the 12 tribes.

This shows that it is not speaking of literal Israel, but spiritual Israel. The way was opened up for all to learn and become followers of Christ.

Rom. 2: 28 & 29 "He is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside upon the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and his circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by written code."

Gal. 3: 26-29 "You are all, in fact, sons of God through your faith in Christ Jesus...There is neither Jew nor Greek, ther is neither slave nor freeman, ther is neither male nor female; for you are all one person in union with Christ Jesus. Moreover, if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham's seed, heirs with reference to a promise."

Answer 6

Cleveland

Answer 7

The Sassquach. They angered god by worshiping Paul Bunyon's Blue OX.

Answer 8

Dan is not in that list.

Why?

Because God didn't choose Dan in that list.

Answer 9

Dan. Dont know why.

Answer 10

mine !!!! :):)