What does Revelation 21:12 mean?

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 21:12

Explanation

Revelation 21:12 describes a vision of the New Jerusalem, a glorious and holy city, as seen by John, the author of the Book of Revelation. This verse denotes some specific details about the city’s structure: it has a large and high wall, twelve gates, twelve angels at the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on the gates.

The large and high wall symbolizes security and protection, signifying that nothing unclean or evil can enter the holy city. The twelve gates suggest accessibility and welcome from all directions, and the presence of angels at each gate could symbolize divine authority and guardianship. The names of the Israelite tribes imply a continuity with God’s covenant people and a representation of the whole people of God, both Jews and Gentiles who have been grafted in.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written during a time when Christians faced intense persecution, most likely during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD). The text offers hope to the persecuted early Christians by providing a prophetic vision of the ultimate triumph of God over evil. The imagery of the New Jerusalem harks back to traditional Jewish concepts of the restoration and glorification of Zion, but it also incorporates elements from apocalyptic literature common at the time, which often used vivid and symbolic imagery to convey its message.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse can be seen from multiple viewpoints:

• Eschatological Perspective: It conveys an eschatological hope, which means it relates to the “last things” or the end times. It promises the establishment of a perfect city where God dwells with His people.
• Covenantal Continuity: The mention of the names of the twelve tribes represents the continuity of God’s covenant with Israel, extending to the inclusion of the believing Gentiles, thus fulfilling the promises made to the patriarchs.
• Exclusive Holiness: The walled city with restricted access conveys the idea of a holy community separated from the profane world outside.
• Divine Protection: The presence of angels symbolizes divine protection, ensuring that nothing impure will enter the city, preserving its sanctity.

Practical Applications

This verse provides a vision of hope and assurance for believers:

• Hope in Trials: Believers can take comfort in the promise of a future secure dwelling with God, especially during times of suffering or persecution.
• Call to Holiness: The purity of the New Jerusalem serves as a reminder for Christians to live holy lives, striving to be separate from the ways of the world that are contrary to God’s will.
• Unity of Believers: The inclusion of all twelve tribes at the gates of the city emphasizes the unity and diversity of the people of God, encouraging unity within the church.

Cross-References

• Ezekiel 48:31-34: These verses also mention the gates of the city, each named after a tribe of Israel.
• Isaiah 60:18: Speaks of walls called Salvation and gates named Praise, symbolizing the security and joy of God’s city.
• Revelation 7:4-8: Describes the sealing of 144,000 servants of God from every tribe of the sons of Israel.

Language Study

The original Greek terms used in Revelation 21:12 are significant:

• Wall (τεῖχος, teichos): Implies not just a fence, but a strong, fortified wall, indicating strength and impenetrability.
• High (μέγα, mega): Used to express the immense scale and grandeur.
• Gates (πυλῶνες, pylōnes): Refers to large, impressive gateways, not just functional but also decorative.
• Angels (ἄγγελοι, angeloi): Signifies messengers or representatives of God.
• Names (ὀνόματα, onomata): Points to identification and recognition, signifying belonging and ownership.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Revelation’s description of the New Jerusalem shares similarities with other ancient myths and religious interpretations, such as:

• The Heavenly City: Many ancient cultures had concepts of a divine or heavenly city, often situated in the sky or on a mountain, signifying closeness to the divine.
• The Promised Land: In Jewish tradition, the land of Israel was seen as a divine gift and a place where God would establish His kingdom.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings don’t typically intersect with the apocalyptic and prophetic imagery found in Revelation 21:12. The verse speaks more to spiritual and theological truths than to empirical realities. However, the concept of a perfectly designed and harmonious city may inspire thoughts of utopian ideals that have been explored in various scientific and philosophical contexts.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and theologians offer different interpretations of Revelation 21:12:

• Dispensationalist Viewpoint: Some see this as a literal description of the future, physical city that will descend from heaven.
• Amillennial Interpretation: Others interpret the New Jerusalem as a symbolic representation of the church in its glorified state, rather than a literal city.
• Historicist Interpretation: Some commentators historically linked the tribes to different periods of church history or to different movements within Christianity.
• Symbolic Spiritual Reality: Many believe the details in the vision to be rich in symbolism, reflecting spiritual truths about God’s relationship with His people rather than specific, literal details about the future.