12,000 from each of the original tribes of Israel. I think it’s symbolic not literal but that’s just me.
It’s the J-O-O-S
No; the tribe of Dan is left out. If they were not, then it would have to be 156,000.
Also, it counts Joseph and Manasseh, which is unique to the book of Revelation, what with the tribe of Joseph having been divided into half-tribes named after Joseph’s sons Manasseh and Ephraim in the rest of the Bible; therefore, Ephraim is actually called Joseph in Revelation.
This is Apocalyptic literature. Once you understand what that is, the meaning becomes clear. Revelation is highly symbolic, like Ezekiel and Daniel. Yes, 12 (sons of Isreal) times 12 (Apostles) times 1,000 (symbolic for many). Twelve itself is symbolic a completeness and perfection. So there will be those who looked forward to the Cross (the Old Testament saints) and there will be those who look back to the Cross (New Testament saints) and there will be a vast number. A little later in Revelation the number of saints is described as a “multitude which no man can number.”
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How can it be symbolic?
Israel is the entirety of God’s elect, so the 144000 have to be actual Israel.
To bad the author did not no the 12 original tribes.