The Number 12

New Jerusalem 

(Revelation 21)

There are some interesting parallels in the Bible in terms of numbers. We can see that Jesus (God Embodied) had 12 Apostles, and Israel had 12 Tribes, and in the days of Judges there were 12 Judges. This article will try to show the pattern of the number 12 and it's connection to the Government or the Kingdom of God on Earth, that is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Most High God.

High Priest Breastplate 

In the Old Testament scripture, we know that God designed the golden breastplate of the High Priest to carry 12 Stones, which represents the 12 Tribes of Israel.

Exodus 28:15-21 KJV — And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. [16] Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof. [17] And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. [18] And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. [19] And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. [20] And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. [21] And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

The Walls of New Jerusalem 

These 12 stones appear to also make up the Heavenly Walls of New Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:19-20 KJV — And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; [20] The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

• A High Priest Forever

We know that Jesus is now the High Priest under the New Covenant (Hebrews 2:17), and His 12 Apostles will rule over the 12 Tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30). This is echoed in the very foundation of New Jerusalem that is to come:

Revelation 21:12 KJV — And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

Revelation 21:14 KJV — And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

We also see that the very dimensions of the New Jerusalem have the number 12 on each side:

Revelation 21:16 KJV — And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

12 Judges, 12 Tribes, 12 Apostles

We see that the Old Covenant had 12 Judges and 12 Tribes to represent the Kingdom of God on Earth in Israel, and in the New Covenant the 12 Apostles founded the New Kingdom of God in Early Christianity, and New Jerusalem will be built around this number 12.

144,000 of the 12 Tribes

Also, in the Book of Revelations 12,000 of each Tribe will be with Jesus:

Revelation 7:4-8 KJV — 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.

For information on the Milinneal Kingdom, different from New Jersalem, that is soon to come to Earth after Daniel's 70th week, please see my post:

• Millineal Kingdom

It is my understanding that Jesus (God Embodied) is number 13. Jesus had 12 disciples and with Him there was 13. It could represent the union between God and His Kingdom?

• Glimpses of Salvation

• The Third Day Prophecy