Revelation 7:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If Israel had believed, our Lord would not have been crucified. If our Lord had not been crucified, salvation would not have come to the multitude of the Gentiles. Therefore the Jews will believe, but they will believe at the end of the world. It was not the time for them to believe in the Cross. If they had believed, the Lord would not have been crucified. It was not the time for them to believe. In their unbelief is our faith; in their fall is our exaltation. It was not their time, so that it might become our time.

Therefore Judah stands first. His name is translated confession or praise, because no one reaches the summit of good works without first laying the beginning of confession. If in confession we do not renounce evil deeds, we will not come to know good ones.

Next comes Reuben, whose name is translated “seeing the son.” By son here are meant works, according to the testimony of the psalmist, who in blessing a good man says among other things: “Your sons are like olive shoots.” And below: “You shall see the sons of your sons” (Ps 127:3, 6).

For it is not true that one who fears God cannot be blessed unless he begets children and grandchildren. Faithful virgins await a better reward. No, the children are works, and the grandchildren are the fruits of works, that is, the eternal reward.

Reuben follows Judah. That is, when the foundation of confession, repentance, and praise has been laid, the perfection of actions comes. Yet since “through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22), Gad follows Reuben. His name can be understood as temptation, or as girded and prepared.

After a man has begun good works, he must undergo heavier trials, so that he may be prepared for more serious battles and the strength of his faith may be confirmed. Solomon says: “My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord God, stand in righteousness and fear, and prepare your soul for temptation” (cf. Sir 2:1). And the psalmist confirms: “You have girded me with strength for battle” (Ps 17:40).

See also Hippolytus of Rome, On Christ and Antichrist.

Issachar means reward. For temporal life, there is the radiance of eternal life.

Zebulun means dwelling of strength or fragrance. In those cleansed from every defilement, the Heavenly King who has made His dwelling there gives forth fragrance.

Joseph means addition, promised to all who sought first the Kingdom of Heaven.

Benjamin means son of sickness, or son of day, or son of the morning star. Most probably this refers to the Jews who are saved through faith in Christ at the end of the world. For the apostle also says: “Hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:25-26).

Many think that the tribe of Dan is omitted as unworthy, because the Antichrist will come from it. They base their opinion on the prophetic words of the patriarch Jacob concerning Dan: “Dan shall be a serpent on the road, an adder on the path, biting the horse's heel, so that its rider falls backward. I wait for Your salvation, O Lord!” (Gen 49:17-18). From this tribe they expect the man of sin, the son of perdition, of whom the Apostle Paul speaks (cf. 2 Thess 2:3).