What does Revelation 7:7 mean?
The tribes of Simeon, Levi, and Issachar are named in this verse as being sealed, 12,000 from each tribe. Both Simeon and Levi were violent men. In an act of rage, they slaughtered all the men of Shechem because the prince of the land, Shechem, had seized and raped their sister Dinah (Genesis 34). Their father Jacob rebuked them, but Simeon and Levi defended their actions (Genesis 34). When dying, Jacob referred to their violence. He recalled that in their anger they had killed men and hamstrung oxen. He cursed their anger and their wrath. He prophesied that they would be divided and scattered (Genesis 49:5–7). However, God extended His grace to both tribes. Levi became the priestly tribe, and both tribes appear as God's servants in Revelation 7.According to Jacob, Issachar would occupy a pleasant land but would become "a servant at forced labor" (Genesis 49:14–15). When Israel settled in the Promised Land, Issachar took possession of the pleasant plain of Esdraelon but became vassals of invading armies. During the tribulation, they will be willing servants of the Lord.