Connect Exodus 28:21 with Revelation 21:12. What parallels can be drawn? Text snapshots • Exodus 28 : 21 — “The stones shall be twelve according to the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.” • Revelation 21 : 12 — “The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates, with twelve angels at the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel written on the gates.” Shared themes • Twelve tribes, twelve inscriptions • Engraving/writing that will not fade • Physical objects pointing to spiritual realities • God-designed craftsmanship, not human improvisation • A permanent memorial of covenant identity God remembers His people • In Exodus the names rest over Aaron’s heart as he represents Israel before the LORD (Exodus 28 : 29). • In Revelation the same tribal names surround the New Jerusalem, showing God has kept His covenant to the end of the age (Jeremiah 31 : 35-37). • The continuity from tabernacle to eternal city proves that redemption history is one unbroken story. The role of names • Engraved “like a seal” (Exodus 28 : 21) speaks of ownership and authenticity (Songs 8 : 6). • Written on gates (Revelation 21 : 12) signals welcome and belonging—entry is through the identity God Himself assigns. • Isaiah 49 : 16 shows God engraving Zion on His palms; the imagery culminates in these two verses. Access to God • Breastpiece stones lie closest to the high priest’s heart—access mediated through sacrifice (Leviticus 16 : 3-5). • Gates of the city grant direct access because the Lamb’s sacrifice is complete (Revelation 21 : 22-23). • What was once represented in the high priest’s ministry becomes the believer’s lived reality (Hebrews 10 : 19-22). Priestly and eschatological links • Precious stones (Exodus 28 : 17-20) reappear in the foundations of the city (Revelation 21 : 19-20), showing priestly beauty expanded to cosmic scale. • Twelve tribes on the breastpiece + twelve apostles on the city’s foundations (Revelation 21 : 14) display the union of Old and New Covenant people (Ephesians 2 : 19-22). • The orderly arrangement around God—tribes camped by standards (Numbers 2) and saints surrounding the throne (Revelation 7 : 4-9). Living it out • Remember that your name is known to God—engraved, not penciled in (John 10 : 3). • Approach God confidently; the breastpiece points to Christ, our High Priest, who carries us on His heart (Hebrews 4 : 14-16). • Anticipate the city whose gates already bear the marks of His covenant faithfulness—our future is as secure as the writing on those gates. |
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