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An interesting question.

I’d love to see Marbren, Uriel 2012, Alamo-Girl and some others’ thoughtful responses on that question.

My own conjecture is that there will always be blood Israeli’s serving in key ceremonial/leader roles in whatever main literal TEMPLE exists. I think there are several Scriptures that could be taken to hint at that. Words like “for ever” and “everlasting” are used in describing the tenure of such priestly roles of such blood descendents, IIRC.

I don’t doubt that grafted in Christians will be right up there in the ranks in a list of ways and senses. I just think God has a penchant for doing as I noted above as a nod and honor to His buddy Abraham.

There seems to be two themes throughout Scripture in terms of God’s sensibilities on such matters.

One, Everyone is equal before the altar, before the throne, before The Cross—in terms of worth as created in God’s image.

Two, some are given roles and honors that are at least tentatively and provisionally passed down faithfully genetically in a DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS sort of fashion.

For example, I would not be surprised to see the literal King David ruline in Jerusalem under Christ. At least one Scripture hints or stronger at that.

Three, Individuality is evidently priceless to God. I think efforts to homogenize a class of genetically engineered human robotic slaves is extremely abhorent to God.

Four, tribal purity and integrity has some . . . value, priority to The Lord. That case is a bit harder to build but I think there’s several Old Testament Scriptures that hint at it. He certainly didn’t want Israel marrying willy nilly.

Of course that had to do with avoiding idol worship etc. But I’m not convinced those were the only reasons for that PREFERENCE on God’s part.

God seems to be both a sort of TRADITIONALIST AS WELL AS CONTINUALLY CREATING ALL THINGS NEW.

Thank you so much for sharing your insights, dear brother in Christ!

In Revelation 21 we see the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and earth with twelve pearl gates each named for a tribe of Israel and twelve foundation layers of gemstones each named for an Apostle.

And in Revelation 4 we see twenty four elders around the throne of God. It doesn't say but I perceive these correspond to the twenty four mentioned in chapter 21.

The Song of Moses (Deut 32) is mentioned in Revelation 15, but Moses himself is not mentioned. Neither is Enoch, Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Elijah, Mary (though some would argue that she is mentioned in chapter 12 by metaphor) and so on. Neither Peter nor Paul are mentioned by name. John is mentioned only as the one receiving the revelation.

Indeed the angel in Revelation 22:9 gives us the clue when John bows before him:

And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. - Revelation 22:8-9

Namely, that those things which matter to us now will not matter to us then. There is no place for pride.

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last [shall be] first. - Matt 19:27-30

In that day we'll be like the angel and not even mention our names because it is not about us after all. We'll say "worship God."

To God be the glory not man never man.