Who Are the 12 Tribes of Israel in the Book of Revelation?
Bible Study Guide
Original 12 Tribes | Inheriting 12 Tribes | Revelation 12 Tribes | Millennial Kingdom 12 Tribes
(Verses 5-8) Since the Lamb began breaking the seals, judgment after judgment has thundered across the earth. But in Revelation 7, everything suddenly stops. Heaven calls for a pause—not because God’s wrath is finished, but because something extraordinary must take place first.
It’s as if the camera of John’s vision shifts, pulling us from the devastation on earth to a scene of divine strategy in heaven. Here, before the next wave of judgment falls, 144,000 Jewish servants of God are chosen and sealed. This seal is no mere mark—it is God’s supernatural protection, enabling them to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ across a world in chaos.
Then comes a detail easy to miss, yet impossible to ignore. The list of tribes is different. These are not the exact same twelve tribes that emerged from Egypt under Moses. Something has changed. Over centuries of Israel’s history, the tribal lineup has been reshaped—by judgment, by blessing, and by the sovereign purposes of God.
Why this list? Why now?
And what does it tell us about God’s plan for Israel—and for the world—in the last days?
The Original 12 Tribes of Israel
The original 12 tribes of Israel were all named after the 12 sons of Jacob, also called “Israel,” before God also called him “Israel.” The names of his 12 sons were…
These were the original 12 tribes of Israel. When the time came for Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promise land to inherit it, all the tribes received a portion of the land except for the Levi’s. They didn’t receive any land as an inheritance.
The Inheriting 12 Tribes of Israel
While 11 tribes received as an inheritance a portion of God’s promised land, one received a different inheritance. God made the Levi’s to be priests. They would be placed among various cities throughout Israel.
They would be representatives of the people to God and they would serve God directly. God would be their inheritance and their portion.
Jacob had inherited Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Because Joseph had brought blessings upon his family and saved them from the famine, he received a double portion for his inheritance. Ephraim and Manasseh both received an allotment of land.
Levi is out. Manasseh is added.
The Split Kingdom of Israel
After the time of King Solomon’s reign, Israel became a divided nation. The 10 northern tribes of Israel combined to become Northern Israel. This left the tribe of Judah in the south with the city of Jerusalem and the tribe of Benjamin.
Fast forward to the revealing of Revelation by Christ to John the apostle, we see again another change in the 12 tribes of Israel, except this time it takes place in John’s visions of Revelation.
The Transformation of the 12 Tribes of Israel in Revelation
Upon closer examination, we see that the list no longer includes the tribe of Dan, which had been part of the original 12 tribes. Additionally, the reinstatement of the tribe of Levi.
| Original 12 Tribes (as given after the Exodus) | 12 Tribes in Revelation 7 | Notable Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Reuben | Reuben | Same position—firstborn of Jacob, though not the tribe of promise. |
| Simeon | Simeon | Same tribe in both lists. |
| Levi (excluded from land inheritance but counted as a tribe) | Levi | Included here—rare, since Levi usually wasn’t counted in land divisions. |
| Judah | Judah | Listed first in Revelation—tribe of Messiah, replacing Reuben’s birthright position. |
| Zebulun | Zebulun | Same in both lists. |
| Issachar | Issachar | Same in both lists. |
| Dan | Manasseh | Why was Dan omitted entirely in Revelation—possibly due to historic idolatry (Judges 18). |
| Gad | Gad | Same in both lists. |
| Asher | Asher | Same in both lists. |
| Naphtali | Naphtali | Same in both lists. |
| Joseph | Joseph (Ephraim) | Ephraim not named—represented under Joseph’s name. |
| Benjamin | Benjamin | Same in both lists. |
Comparing Original, Inheriting and Revelation Tribes
| 12 Original Tribes | 12 Inheriting Tribes of Israel | 12 Tribes of Revelation |
| Reuben | Reuben | Reuben |
| Simeon | Simeon | Simeon |
| Levi | Judah | Judah |
| Judah | Dan | Levi |
| Dan | Naphtali | Naphtali |
| Naphtali | Gad | Gad |
| Gad | Asher | Asher |
| Asher | Issachar | Issachar |
| Issachar | Zebulun | Zebulun |
| Zebulun | Ephraim | Joseph (Ephraim) |
| Joseph | Manasseh | Manasseh |
| Benjamin | Benjamin | Benjamin |
Why Was the Tribe of Dan Removed From Revelation Tribes?
Scripture does not provide a clear explanation for the removal of the tribe of Dan. While the reasons for adding the tribe of Levi are evident, the exclusion of Dan remains uncertain.
It only makes sense that God would use those He appointed as priests (Levites) as part of the 144,000 sealed evangelists. This addition is a bit easier to understand.
Regarding the tribe of Dan, we can only examine its history to gain insight into why it may have been removed from the original list of tribes.
Judges 18 reveals that the Danites fell deeply into apostasy, turning away from God. Additionally, they were dissatisfied with the inheritance God had given them. These factors may help explain why the tribe of Dan was removed from the list.
Being along the Mediterranean, they often found themselves waring with Israel’s longtime nemesis, the Philistines.
The Danites eventually left their land to occupy a different land than the one God had given them. Thereby again, turning their backs on God (Judges 18). These are all written in biblical history in order for us to understand the changes to the 12 tribes of Israel in Revelation.
This is a perfect example of how we ought to allow scripture to interpret scripture. We shouldn’t add, subtract or change what is not provided to us. But rather, trust in the Lord the information He gives us. All that we need to know, He provides for us.
God is good in all things, and in all things God is good!
The Hour Is Late
We are living in a prophetic convergence unlike any in history. The same headlines that fill our newsfeeds mirror the signs Jesus gave as the birth pains of His return—wars and rumors of wars, global instability, Israel surrounded by enemies, and a world primed for deception.
These are not distant possibilities; they are present realities. The pages of Revelation are beginning to cast their shadows on our day, and the events described are closer than we dare to think. How will the 12 tribes play a role in the Millennial Kingdom?
The Remnant, 12 Tribes and the Millennial Kingdom
The prophetic clock is racing toward midnight. Around us, the signs Jesus foretold—wars, unrest, moral decay, global upheaval, and Israel’s rising prominence—are converging like never before. Scripture warns that the Tribulation will soon unleash God’s wrath upon a rebellious world, yet even in judgment, His promises stand.
Zechariah 13:8–9 tells us that a third of Israel will survive, purified through fire, and will finally call upon the name of the Lord. That remnant will step into the Millennial Kingdom, not as a scattered people, but as the restored nation God always promised.
Twelve Tribes in the Kingdom Age
In that coming Kingdom, Jerusalem will be the throne city of Christ, and Israel will take her place as head of the nations (Isaiah 2:2–4; Micah 4:1–2). Ezekiel 48 describes a breathtaking picture: a renewed land with each tribe restored to its inheritance. Surrounding the city are twelve gates, each bearing the name of a tribe—three on each side—declaring for all eternity that God has kept His covenant word.
- 3 North Gates: Reuben, Judah and Levi
- 3 East Gates: Joseph, Benjamin and Dan
- 3 South Gates: Simeon, Issachar and Zebulun
- 3 West Gates: Gad, Asher, and Naphtali
Notice in the 12 Tribe Comparison Chart, the Millennial Kingdom tribes will be back to the original 12 tribes. God will restore His original intent for the first tribes of Israel to be those who God would bless the nations through.
Manasseh is removed. The tribe of Dan is restored.
The Gates of the Millennial Jerusalem
These gates are not merely architectural features—they are declarations. Every entrance into that city will be a reminder that God preserves His people, keeps His promises, and fulfills His Word down to the last detail.
The remnant who survive the Tribulation will walk through them. They’ll be living testimonies of God’s mercy and power. And the convergence of signs we see today should stir our hearts with urgency—because the return of Christ is drawing near, and the day when those gates swing open may be far closer than we imagine.
The Interlude Continues
As this interlude in God’s judgment continues, John will share with us the second vision he sees before the pause from heaven comes to a conclusion. Then we’ll resume to the seventh and last seal judgment as the intensity of God’s wrath reaches a crescendo.
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