The Final List

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

In the Bible we often see many lists of the tribes with different significance. This is probably the most important of lists. There is a list by order of birth of the Children of Jacob. Then there is a list with Joseph elevated to a double portion and Simeon excluded as Moses blesses the tribes … there are other lists but this final one is said to be the list of the sealed … the final chosen. We notice certain tribes omitted.

We also know that names can be blotted from God’s Book as Moses was told…

Exo 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. … Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

We may think we have or have not sinned against our fellow men …but sin against God may be a completely different matter. Our apologies to men and confessions may have relieved us of certain consequences but to be blotted from the Book of God is surely a more serious issue. Two tribes are not mentioned …one is Ephraim and another is Dan. Also the order of the tribes is different …Judah is now first. Then we see that there is no difference in the numbers …much unlike most other lists where numbers differ greatly according to fruitfulness/physical expansion etc

God seems to be telling us something. First – God will blot whosoever has sinned against him …sin will not be trivial issue. Second – God is merciful …Reuben is forgiven and restored and so is Simeon …but Dan is missing. Third – Ephraim, who emerged as the star in the house of Joseph is omitted … teaching us that even stars must be watchful to end well. Fourth – Christ as the Lion of Judah exalts that tribe …and the name that is higher than any other name is honored in the final order of the sealed. Whether we see these lists as literal events or a picture or imagery… we will all need His mercy to make it to the end …to be forgiven we are taught that we must also forgive. May God help us all.

Song.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown

Prayer: Lord, Help me to make it to the very end. Let me find mercy at the end …chastise me now, correct me now if you must …but be merciful to me at the end. Thank you. Amen

The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa