Revelation 7:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Among the Jews there were many who believed in Christ, more than the number indicated here. Salvation was promised to them during the universal destruction, according to the testimony of those who spoke with Paul when he was in Jerusalem: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed” (Acts 21:20).

It is probable that not only the faithful were saved, but also those who through ignorance and deception assisted in the crucifixion of the Lord. Concerning them He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).

By this definite number is signified the innumerable multitude of the whole Church. Through imitation, she is born from the patriarchs either in descendants according to the flesh or according to faith. “If you are Christ's,” says the apostle, “then you are Abraham's seed” (Gal 3:29).

The multiplication of twelve by twelve also speaks of the increase of perfection. It is completed by the addition of a thousand, which is ten cubed and symbolizes the indestructible life of the Church. Therefore she is often represented by the number twelve. In the fourfold world she stands by faith in the Holy Trinity, for three times four equals ten plus two.

For this reason twelve apostles were chosen for the preaching of the faith. By their number they symbolized the mystery of their mission.

The listing of the names of the heads of the Israelite tribes will not be so dry if one knows what each name means.

Judah means confession. Faith confessed by deeds is reckoned as righteousness.

Reuben means son of vision. The heart purified from passions will see God.

Gad means temptation, endured like Job without blasphemy or murmuring against God.

Asher means blessedness. Those who are destitute and poor for Christ's sake are no longer fools, but blessed.

Naphtali means prayer, which unites one with God even in this life.

Manasseh means forgetfulness, without which it is difficult to be faithful to Christ.

Simeon means obedience, rightly shown to God more than to men.

Levi means accepted. These are those accepted by the Lord for a life worthy of priesthood.

Verses 4-7. These sealed ones from all the tribes of Israel numbered 144,000. Interpreters see in this a symbolic number, signifying the fullness of the elect: 12 times 12 times 1,000.

They are called Israelites, and this is stated directly with reference to the twelve tribes of Israel. Yet, as has been noted, Christians who make up the New Testament Church, which is the continuation and replacement of the Old Testament church, can also be called true Israelites. They are such if not according to the flesh, then according to the spirit (Rev 2:9; Rev 3:9).

On the basis of certain hints in the Word of God and mysterious prophecies concerning the Antichrist, the following thoughts about him have existed from ancient times. He will come from the tribe of Dan.

This was inferred from the words of the patriarch Jacob: “Let Dan be a serpent on the way, sitting at the crossroads” (Gen 49:17). It was also inferred from the words of Jeremiah: “From Dan was heard the neighing of his horses” (Jer 8:16). Especially was it inferred from the fact that in the Apocalypse, when all the tribes of Israel are listed, from each of which twelve thousand servants of God are sealed by the Angel, the tribe of Dan alone is not named at all.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies V, 30; Hippolytus, On the Antichrist, chs. 14-15; Hilary, On Matthew XVII; Ambrose, Blessings of the Patriarchs, ch. 7; Jerome, On Micah, ch. IV; Augustine, City of God XX, 7.

The apostle John heard the number of those sealed: there were one hundred forty-four thousand sealed from all the tribes of the sons of Israel, twelve thousand from each tribe. These are the sons of Israel whose salvation at the end of the world the apostle Paul also speaks of (Rom 11:25-26). In his interpretation of this place in the Apocalypse (7:4-8), St. Andrew notes: Let it be known that the tribe of Dan is not mentioned with the others because the antichrist will come from it. In its place is mentioned the tribe of the Innocent One, anciently priestly, which is not included among the tribes.