Jesus had chosen 12 apostles (Mark 3:14-19). Among them, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty silver pieces. Jesus was crucified and buried. Judas could not bear the judgment of his conscience and committed suicide before Jesus was raised from the dead. After the Ascension of Jesus, the 120 disciples felt the need to fill the vacancy left behind by Judas. They saw themselves as the new Israel. Therefore, there should be twelve tribes each of which headed by a patriarch. Peter spoke for all the disciples and proposed two criteria: the candidate should be a witness of Jesus' resurrection and had been in the company of Jesus since the baptism of John (Acts 1:20-21). Among them, two candidates were nominated: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias (Acts 1:23). They prayed and cast lot. Matthias was chosen to fill the vacancy (Acts 1:26). Since then, nobody was qualified to fill the vacancy left behind when one of the Twelve died. Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Matthias. Little is known of his life.
The election of Matthias to replace Judas reminds me of a passage in Revelation in which the names of the Twelve Apostles were inscribed on the twelve foundations of the holy city Jerusalem.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14).
Of course, the name of Matthias would replace that of Judas. However, will the name of St. Paul ever have a chance to be inscribed on one of the foundations? If Paul's is inscribed, what about Barnabas'? I really cannot tell. Only God and John know.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14).
Of course, the name of Matthias would replace that of Judas. However, will the name of St. Paul ever have a chance to be inscribed on one of the foundations? If Paul's is inscribed, what about Barnabas'? I really cannot tell. Only God and John know.
There is another more challenging feature about this New Jerusalem which has twelve gates. On the gates, the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are inscribed.
It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed(Revelation 21:12).
We have no problem in identifying the names of the twelve sons of Israel. But we have problem with the names of the twelve tribes. They are not the same!
Four women gave birth to twelve sons and one daughter for Jacob.
Leah gave birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah (Genesis 29:32-35), Issachar, Zebulun and a daughter Dinah (Genesis 30:17-21).
Bilhah, the maid of Rachel, gave birth to Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:5-8).
Rachel gave birth to Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24) and Benjamin (Genesis 35:18).
Zilpah, the maid of Leah, gave birth to Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:10-13).
Jacob loved Joseph more and the other brothers were jealous. Joseph was sold to Egypt and later became the vizier to save the family from famine. Before he died, Jacob blessed his twelve sons (Genesis 49:3-27).
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel; and this is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him (Genesis 49:28).
The problem of the identity of the Twelve Tribes arises during the census the second year after the Israelites left Egypt. In this census, the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manesseh replaced Joseph and Levi (Numbers 1:5-15). After entering the Promised Land, Joshua divided it among the Israelites. However, the tribes of Levi received no inheritance.
To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance; the offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him (Joshua 13:14).
Therefore, are the names of Joseph and Levi inscribed on the twelve gates of the new Jerusalem, or Ephraim and Manesseh? Only God and John know.
It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed(Revelation 21:12).
We have no problem in identifying the names of the twelve sons of Israel. But we have problem with the names of the twelve tribes. They are not the same!
Four women gave birth to twelve sons and one daughter for Jacob.
Leah gave birth to Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah (Genesis 29:32-35), Issachar, Zebulun and a daughter Dinah (Genesis 30:17-21).
Bilhah, the maid of Rachel, gave birth to Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:5-8).
Rachel gave birth to Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24) and Benjamin (Genesis 35:18).
Zilpah, the maid of Leah, gave birth to Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:10-13).
Jacob loved Joseph more and the other brothers were jealous. Joseph was sold to Egypt and later became the vizier to save the family from famine. Before he died, Jacob blessed his twelve sons (Genesis 49:3-27).
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel; and this is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him (Genesis 49:28).
The problem of the identity of the Twelve Tribes arises during the census the second year after the Israelites left Egypt. In this census, the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manesseh replaced Joseph and Levi (Numbers 1:5-15). After entering the Promised Land, Joshua divided it among the Israelites. However, the tribes of Levi received no inheritance.
To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance; the offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him (Joshua 13:14).
Therefore, are the names of Joseph and Levi inscribed on the twelve gates of the new Jerusalem, or Ephraim and Manesseh? Only God and John know.
Dear Lord, how I long to see the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven! Carry me through. Amen.
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