The Number Twelve in Scripture

The number twelve is of frequent occurance and is generally recognized to bear special significance in the Scriptures. Twelve is the number of governmental perfection, or of the perfection of divine government.

There are twelve months in the year. There are twelve signs in the zodiac and these signs govern the seasons.

TWELVE ASSOCIATED WITH ISRAEL

God chose a people to be a pedestal sanctifying His name in the earth, and this people was Israel, of which there were twelve tribes (Gen. 49:28).

Moses built an altar and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of the children of Israel (Ex. 24:4).

In the journey of Israel, after the experience of famish and then bitter waters, God brought them to twelve wells or fountains of water (Exod. 25:27; Num. 33:9).

In the days of the numbering of Israel there were twelve princes chosen to represent Israel (Num. 1: 44).

When the altar was dedicated the twelve princes were in charge. For this occasion there were twelve chargers of silver, twelve golden bowls, twelve golden spoons, twelve bullocks, twelve lambs, and twelve kids of goats (Num. 7:84, 86-87).

Twelve rods were chosen for the tribes of Israel. These rods were given to the twelve princes who in turn gave them unto Moses (Num. 17:1, 2, 6). All this is typical of the fact that God's government upon the earth is to be through the twelve tribes of Israel.

Twelve men were sent out of Israel to spy out the land (Deut. 1:23).

When Israel passed through Jordan to the land of promise, twelve men were chosen from the twelve tribes. These twelve men were to take twelve stones according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel, and were to set up the twelve stones in the midst of Jordan as a memorial (Josh. 3:12, 4:2-7).

Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel which provided victuals for the king and his househhold (I Kings 4:7).

la Solomon's temple, the brazen sea was upheld by twelve oxen (I Kings 7:25). Twelve lions surrounded Solomon's throne on each side (I Kings 10:20).

When Elijah built the altar upon Mount Carmel he took stones according to the twelve tribes of Israel (I Kings 10:20).

TWELVE ASSOCIATED WITH CHRIST'S MINISTRY

When the Saviour first presented Himself to Israel, He was twelve years old (Luke 2:42).

Jesus, when He began His ministry on earth, chose twelve disciples (Matt. 10:1, Mark 3:14).

After Jesus fed the multitude of five thousand, twelve baskets full of fragments remained (Matt. 14:20).

Prior to the crucifixion, at the time of Christ's arrest, He said that He could call down twelve legions of angels if He so desired (Matt. 26: 53).

TWELVE BIBLE MYSTERIES

There are twelve mysteries spoken of in the Word of God, as follows:

1. The mystery of the kingdom, (Mark 4:11).

2. The mystery of Israel's blindness, (Rom. 11:25).

3. The mystery of the body, (Rom 16:25, Eph. 3:3).

4. The mystery of the resurrection, (I Cor. 15:51).

5. The mystery of His will, (Eph. 1:9).

6. The mystery of iniquity, (II Thess. 2:9).

7. The mystery of godliness, (I Tim. 3:16).

8. The mystery of Christ, (Col. 4:3).

9. The mystery of faith, (I Tim. 3:9).

10. The mystery of the seven stars, (Rev. 1:20).

11. The mystery of the wisdom of God, (I Cor. 2:7).

12. The mystery of Babylon, (Rev. 17:5).

GOD'S FINAL MANIFESTATION IN EARTHLY AFFAIRS

When a testimony is needed in the great tribulation, God seals a remnant of Israel. They will number twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes. The gospel of the kingdom will be preached by them (Rev. 7).

Israel is represented as a woman with a crown upon her head and the crown has twelve stars in it (Rev. 12:1). This speaks of rulership. Israel shall be made the head of the nations.

Christ spoke of the regeneration (kingdom) when the twelve resurrected disciples are going to sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28).

After the millenium heaven will come down to earth. The New Jerusalem is stamped all over with twelves. The city is described as being twelve thousand furlongs wide, long and high; and as having a wall 144 cubits in thickness (12x12); and having twelve foundations, and the names of the twelve apostles are upon the twelve foundations. The foundations will consist of twelve precious stones. The city will have twelve gates; three upon each side, and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are inscribed upon the gates. At the gates are to be twelve angels. Within the city will be the tree of life, yielding twelve manner of fruits for the twelve months of the year. These are the specifications, numerous and transcendent, and as we should expect in a city erected and ornamented by God Himself, and coming forth out of the heavens. It is the place of divine government. The city has no temple therein for God is the temple. The city will have a relationship to the world at large. The nations shall walk by means of the light of it, and the kings will bring their glory and honor to it.

(The next installment will be the Number Thirteen)