Commentary: Because this chapter is about the tribes of Israel, it becomes necessary to remind the reader of Rev 2:9, "the blasphemy of those who say themselves to be Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan."

Here Christians are reminded that the fleshly Jew is not a real Jew, a spiritual Jew. The same message is given by Paul and Peter. Paul's message is self-explanatory. Peter tells us that in the past these were not part of God's people, so he is talking about the Christian congregation, a mixture of Gentiles and naturally born Jews, that in the past could not be considered God's people, but now are so exclusively.

If the above is not enough proof, the please read the Born Again page and the Who are God's People page.

However, as may be seen from the lists of the fleshly tribes of Israel and the names found in chapter seven in Revelation, it should be clear that the shown differences in tribal names indicate that something strange is going on!

That strangeness has to do with the fact that God now applies the name Israel and the names of the tribes to spiritual Israel, the newly appointed covenant people of God, the final true Israel.

1. The after in this verse refers to the time-line of the vision as John experiences it, not to its prophetic fulfillment. The four angels holding the four winds could be referring to groups of angels dispersed worldwide with the intent of preventing the Great Tribulation to go off prematurely. These winds are the winds of disaster that shall come upon the earth as chapter six so clearly demonstrated.

2. The "angel ascending from the rising of the sun," from the east would most likely be Jesus Christ. Several previous things in the Bible points to that possibilty. In Ezekiel 46:1 it is shown to be the divine temple gate, only opened on the Sabbath for God to enter so to say. Cyrus, that foreshadows Christ, also came from the east (Isaiah 46:11), and in Daniel chapter 11:44, the troublesome reports come from the east and the north. Fortified by the Revelation in 16:12 where the way is prepared for the kings from the east, it seems as if the identification may be permitted – that the angel also has the sign of God surely only supports this speculation.

3. The four angels must not hurt the earth until all of the Saints have been gathered, all 144,000 of them – 12,000 per tribe. Is the number literal? It would seem so. However, even if it isn't, as has been stated previously, it makes no difference whatsoever. Why? As also has been stated, the Saints are all individually chosen by Christ with God's permission; therefore, no one can choose to become a Saint on his own.

4-8. The tribes are listed.

Comment: From verse nine, the action recommences.  It seems to be continued from chapter six where Armageddon just concluded. The fact that these have palm branches in their hands that are waved remind us of Jesus reception long ago.  Indeed, the Great Crowd are greeting the newly enthroned King, Jesus Christ, whose kingdom took power when he began warring against the nations in Armageddon.  Now that the war is done with, it is time to restore the Earthly Paradise.  This same point Matt 25:31-33 makes when it shows that Christ's kingly power happens when all the nations are gathered before him.

John 12:12-13, And on the next day, a great multitude that was to come to the festival day, when they had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried: Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel. (DRC)

9,10. Here again the duality of Christ's flock is demonstrated. The Saints are the little flock and number 144,000; but here is a great multitude out from all the nations "which no man could number." This last statement refers to the fact that their number is permitted to fluctuate and is not set. The scripture makes it obvious that we are reading about human beings, not angels, Saints, ancients in heaven or otherwise glorified beings.

14. As a Saint explains, these come out of the Great Tribulation, they survive it and enter Paradise in their human bodies. Their clothes are white because they also have been cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ and by their holy conduct.

16. Finally, they are in Paradise and shall suffer no more. As it states, Christ, the Lamb, shall rule over them. Here is serves us to recall Rev 5:10, where it states that the Saints shall become kings and priests and rule the earth. Of course, these rule under Christ and therefore Christ rules over these and they are right after the Great Tribulation the only human beings on earth.