17.3.2.3. The Tribes in the New Testament

This same theme of tribal preservation continues into the NT with Gabriel’s message to Mary concerning her virgin birth:

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke Luke 1:31-33) [emphasis added]

Nowhere in all of Scripture will you find the Church or Gentile believers in Messiah Jesus called “the house of Jacob.” This refers to the Jewish tribes—all of them descendants from the man Israel. These are the same tribes which Jesus will turn away ungodliness from when “all Israel” is saved (Rom. Rom. 11:25-16). Also note the significant distinction which Paul makes between “the fullness of the Gentiles” versus “all Israel.” Israel means Israel!! Yes, Gentiles will be saved (the Church), but Paul is speaking here about the physical seed of Abraham (Rom. Rom. 9:1-5; Rom. 10:1; Rom. 11:28). None of this surprises those who have studied the doctrine of the remnant which runs throughout the pages of Scripture like a golden lifeline. God has always had and will always have those who are physical descendants of Israel that also have faith in Him. It is clear from such passages that God will preserve all twelve tribes.¹ The preservation of the tribes is also attested by their mention throughout the NT and in conjunction with the Millennial Kingdom and eternal state yet to come.

Tribes in the New Testament and the Future

Time Period	Passage	Tribe
NT	Mtt. Mat. 1:1-3; Luke Luke 3:23-26; Heb. Heb. 7:14	Judah
NT	Luke Luke 1:5	Levi
NT	Luke Luke 2:36	Asher
NT	Rom. Rom. 11:1; Php. Php. 3:5	Benjamin
NT	Mtt. Mat. 19:28; Luke Luke 22:30; Acts Acts 26:7; Jas. Jas. 1:1; Rev. Rev. 7:4-8+	All twelve tribes.
Millennial Kingdom	Eze. Eze. 48:1-29; Mtt. Mat. 19:28; Luke Luke 22:30; Acts Acts 1:6-7	All twelve tribes participate in the Millennial Kingdom.
Eternal State	Rev. Rev. 21:12+	All twelve tribes are memorialized on the gates of the New Jerusalem.

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Notes

¹ Regarding the believing remnant of national Israel: 1K. 1K. 19:18; 2K. 2K. 19:4, 2K. 19:30; 2K. 21:14; 2K. 25:22; Isa. Isa. 1:9; Isa. 6:13; Isa. 7:3; Isa. 10:20-22; Isa. 28:5; Isa. 37:4, Isa. 37:31-32; Isa. 46:3; Isa. 59:21; Isa. 65:8; Jer. Jer. 5:10, Jer. 5:18; Jer. 23:3; Jer. 50:20; Eze. Eze. 5:3; Eze. 6:8-10; Eze. 9:8, Eze. 9:11; Eze. 11:13; Joel Joel 2:32; Zec. Zec. 11:10; Mic. Mic. 2:12; Mic. 7:18; Zec. Zec. 13:8-9; Rom. Rom. 9:6, Rom. 9:27; Rom. 11:5, Rom. 11:17, Rom. 11:25; Gal. Gal. 6:16; 1Pe. 1Pe. 1:1; Rev. Rev. 12:17+.