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1 After these things, I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that they should not blow upon the earth, nor upon the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign 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, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them that were signed, an hundred forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda, were twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Ruben, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand signed: 6 Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Nephthali, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Manasses, twelve thousand signed: 7 Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand signed: 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand signed.



7:1-17 That people which was called of the Old Testament the people of God was divided into twelve tribes, and over and above the other tribes it had the levitical order, which itself again carried on the service of God in various priestly and levitical suborders. In the same manner, it appears to me that the whole people of Christ, when we regard it in the aspect of the hidden man of the heart, that people which is called “Jew inwardly, Rom 2:29” and is circumcised in the spirit, has in a more mystic way the characteristics of the tribes. Though the other prophets also do not by any means conceal the state of matters from those who have the faculty of hearing them. Now this is said in John with reference to those who have believed in Christ, for they also, even if their bodily descent cannot be traced to the seed of the Patriarchs, are yet gathered out of the tribes. (Origen)

7:1-2 four angels: These angels are the proper and direct executors of the Divine Providence, and are in his place to preside over the winds, to moderate and direct them; especially to punish the impious, and protect the pious. (Cornelius a Lapide) four corners of the earth: This looks forward to the things that will occur in the time of the Antichrist, not only in the Judean part of the earth, but in all of the earth. (St. Andrew of Caesarea)

7:2-4 seal upon their foreheads: This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1296)


7:4-8 hundred and forty-four thousand: This is the Church in its entirety, (St. Caesarius of Arles) which is descended from the patriarchs either by the lineage of nature, or the imitation of faith. For, he says, "if you be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed." Gal 3:29 (St. Bede) This number which is finite must be understood as signifying one that is infinite, and to be most certainly reputed as a sacred and mystical number, to signify the innumerable multitude of the elect. For by this is designated all the Church in its elect members; nor does it seem to pertain to the twelve tribes in the literal sense. (St. Ambrosius Autpertus) Tribe of Judah-Benjamin: The divine wisdom arranged certain names of locations to be written in the Scriptures to contain a certain mystical meaning. (Origen) According to St. Andrew of Caesarea, the meaning of the names indicated the different virtues and characteristics of Christians during the Great Tribulation. See below for the names of the tribes and their meaning.




9 After this I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne, and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God, who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures; and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, 12 Saying: Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honour, and power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.



7:9 great multitude: these are the same people that he saw in the mystery of the hundred and forty-four thousand. The Lord shows in the Gospel that the whole Church, made up of those from the Jews as well as from the Gentiles are designated by the twelve tribes of Israel, saying, "You will sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Mt 19:28 (St. Caesarius of Arles)





13 And one of the ancients answered, and said to me: These that are clothed in white robes, who are they? and where did they come from? 14 And I said to him: My Lord, you know. And he said to me: These are they who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he, that sits on the throne, shall dwell over them. 16 They shall no more hunger nor thirst, neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

 

 
7:14 For these are not only martyrs, as some say, but all of the people in the Church, because he does not say that they have washed their robes in their own blood, but in the blood of the Lamb. (St. Caesarius of Arles)

 

 

It should be pointed out that Dan is replaced by Levi, and Ephraim is replaced by Joseph. Many Fathers of the Church believed Dan was replaced because it is thought that the Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan. But perhaps it is because Dan means 'judge' and that would not be considered a spiritual quality since the Lord said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." (Mt 7:1) Or it could be that the tribe of Dan fell into idolatry and disappeared (Judges 17-18). Ephraim was also responsible for idolatry, and even the split of Israel into two kingdoms. Joseph was not really considered a tribe, but he was the father of Ephraim and Manasseh. Perhaps Joseph replaces Ephraim because of it's sin.



Judah- confession: those who confess Christ and willing to suffer persecution for it.

Reuben- son of vision (Gen 29:32): because of holiness they see visions of God (allusion to Mt 5:8)

Gad- trial (Gen 49:18): those who are crowned through enduring trials, such as Job.

Asher- blessed (Gen 30:13): those who are worthy of blessings through their way of life.

Naphtali- prevail (Gen 30:8): those, who are through Christ, overcome evil.

Manasseh- forgetfulness (Gen 41:51): those who forget the ways of their sinful past and live for their future hope.

Simeon- heard/obedience (Gen 29:33): those who through their spiritual ears hear and obey the Word of God.

Levi- the one received in addition (Gen 29:34): those who are received into the body of Christ through conversion.

Issachar- hire/wages (Gen 30:16): those who live virtuously for the sake of the wages from God. according to St. Andrew of Caesarea

Zebulun- exalt/honor (Gen 20:30): those who live righteously are exalted and honored.

Joseph- addition (Gen 30:24): those who receive an addition by seeking first the Kingdom of God (allussion to Mt 6:33)

Benjamin- 'son of the right hand' or 'son of strength' (Gen 35:18): those who are in Christ have spiritual strength.

 

 

 

 

16: Isaias 49:10.

17: Isaiah 25:8.; Apocalypse 21:4. 

 

1 angels 2 living God 4 children of Israel 5 tribe of Juda tribe of Ruben tribe of Gad 6 tribe of Aser tribe of Nephthali tribe of Manasses 7 tribe of Simeon tribe of Levi tribe of Issachar 8 tribe of Zabulon tribe of Joseph tribe of Benjamin 9 man Lamb 11 adored 12 Amen glory honour