Who Are the 144,000?

The 144,000 are said to be “144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” (Rev. 7:4). Their role appears to be similar to that of Jesus’ original disciples—to announce the coming of the Messiah and the kingdom. Beginning in Revelation 7:9 John describes “a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages” who apparently come to faith because of the witness of the 144,000.

A careful study of the tribes identified reveals some potential contradictions within the list. For example, the tribe of Dan is left out. The tribe of Ephraim is left out, though the tribe of “Joseph” is probably intended to refer to Ephraim. (Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manassesh. Manasseh was the oldest son, but Ephraim became the dominant tribe.) It’s likely that Joseph is used here to refer to Ephraim . . . since Manasseh is listed separately. In place of Dan, the tribe of Levi is included. Levi was one of the sons of Jacob, but the tribe of Levi was not given a specific land promise. Instead, the Levites were scattered among the other tribes.

By leaving out Dan and including Levi, the number remained at twelve. Of course, someone might ask why the tribe of Dan would be left out. The text doesn’t say, so we need to hold any potential answer loosely. Some suggest that Dan was excluded because of idolatry among the Danites, perhaps represented by the golden calf being set up in Dan. Others suggest the tribe of Dan was excluded because the Danites were the only tribe that deliberately chose to move from the land allotted to them by God and find another place to live (cf. Josh. 19:40–48 and Judg. 18:1–31). There are some who even believe the Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan. However, there is no biblical evidence at all to back up any of these suggestions.

For whatever reason, God does not select witnesses from the tribe of Dan to be part of His worldwide proclamation during the future tribulation period. But this doesn’t mean God has completely rejected the tribe of Dan. In Ezekiel 48:1 the tribe of Dan is included in God’s future and final allotment of the land among the tribes of Israel. So, there is still a future for this tribe, even though they are not chosen as witnesses during the tribulation.