Who is Israel?-Final

We have come to the end of our study on ‘Who is Israel?’ This has told us why there is so much confusion or just lack of clarity on this subject. We are too often led by our pre-suppositional beliefs, many of which are not really supported by the Bible. In Revelation, we will see God’s final word on this important subject.

Revelation 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: 7:5  from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 7:6  from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7:7  from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 7:8  from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed. 

No one can escape from this truth. Here we clearly read that God will use 12,000 men from each of the twelve tribes in sharing the truth as the world comes to an end.

Revelation 14:1  Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 

14:2  And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 14:3  And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 

14:4  These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 14:5  And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

As the Tribulation comes to its eternal and inevitable end, these 144,000 have been protected. They were used to once again share the gospel among men and now their work is over.

Revelation 21:10  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 21:11  having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. 

21:12  It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 21:13  There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. 

21:14  And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

Twelve is an important number as it references Jacob’s twelve sons, the twelve tribes of Israel/Judah, and also the twelve apostles. There names will be eternally written on th gates and walls of the new Jerusalem.

So we come to the end with the same two-fold understanding. Israel is both a nation of real people and a name for all true believers. But, only true believers regardless of race or heritage will be in Heaven. Nevertheless God’s promises include direct descendants from Jacob and all who place their faith in Jesus Christ, from every nation and every tribe.

More next Saturday.