The Number 12

The number 12 is commonly used to represent God's perfect governmental power and authority. This number is also associated with the church, which is typically symbolized by a woman. 

Here are some examples of the number 12 in the Bible:

 Ishmael had 12 sons: Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Duma, Massah, Hadad, Tema, Jethur, Naphish, and Kedma. 

• Genesis 25:16 "These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes."

Jacob had 12 sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Simeon, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 

• Genesis 35:22 "While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons."

The Book of Revelation reveals that there is a distinctive sealed body of God's chosen ones numbering 144,000. These elect are 12,000 Saints and Prophets from each of the 12 tribes of Israel: 12,000 x 12 = 144,000. 

► They are virgins, and have never spoken any deceitful words. 

► They are the first who will receive the Seal of the Lord. 

• Revelation 16:6 "For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve."

• Revelation 14:4-5 "These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless."

• Revelation 7:3 "Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have sealed the foreheads of the servants of our God."

Some religions teach that only the 144,000 will spend eternity with YAHWEH. Now, this is a heresy. 

Although there are clearly defined commandments about how to inherit the Kingdom of God, His grace is not limited to the 144,000, it is available to all mankind regardless of skin color, religious affiliation or social standing because YAHWEH is unbiased. Repentance, a change of heart and behavior, and the acceptance of YESHUA as the only Lord and Savior are the starting points. As mentioned in the verses below, apart from the 144,000 there are multitudes of souls dressed in white robes who will also inherit the Kingdom of God. 

• Revelation 7:3-9

King Solomon appointed 12 governors to rule over all Israel, he had 12,000 horsemen in his service. 

• 1 King 4:7 "Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year."

• 1 King 4:26 "Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his chariot horses and 12,000 horsemen."

12 Spies led the way into the promised land. 

• Deuteronomy 1:23 "The plan seemed good to me, so I selected twelve men from among you, one from each tribe."

Jesus was 12 years old when he separated from his parents after the Passover. 

• Luke 2:42-43 "And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast. When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed."

Jesus had 12 disciples: Simon called Peter, Andrew brother of Simon Peter, James son of Zebedee, John brother of James, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the publican, James son of Alphaeus, Judas called Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas the Iscariot. 

Jesus healed a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. 

• Matthew 9:20 "Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak."

Jesus resurrected the daughter of Jairus who was 12 years old. 

• Mark 5:42 "Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around. She was twelve years old, and at once they were utterly astounded."

After John the Baptist was slaughtered, Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000 men in Bethsaida. He took 12 loaves and fishes and multiplied them to feed the crowd, and 12 baskets full of loaves remained.

• John 6:13 "So they gathered them together and filled twelve hand-baskets of fragments from the five barley loaves, which were over and above to those having eaten."

• Matthew 14:20 "They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."

• Mark 6:43 "And they took up twelve hand-baskets full of fragments, and also of the fish."

Notice how Jesus performed this miracle twice. The first time in Bethsaida for 5000 men and the second time in Galilee for 4000 men. He challenged the discernment of his disciples who did not understand why there were 12 baskets left the first time, then 7 baskets the second time. 

• Mark 8:19-21 "When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Twelve,” they answered. And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Seven,” they said. Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?"

At his arrest, Jesus says he could summon more than 12 legions of angels if he needed help. 

• Matthew 26:53 "Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?"

The New Jerusalem has 12 gates guarded by 12 angels, and the walls have 12 foundations each adorned with 12 precious stones, its length is equal to 12 thousand stadiums.

• Revelation 21:12 "The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates." 

• Revelation 21:14 "The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

• Revelation 21:21 "And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate consisting of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass."

• Revelation 21:16 "The city lies foursquare, with its width the same as its length. And he measured the city with the rod, and all its dimensions were equal—12,000 stadia in length and width and height."

The bride of Christ (the church) wears a crown with 12 stars. 

• Revelation 12:1 "And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head."

The tree of life that protects from all diseases produces its fruit 12 times each month. 

• Revelation 22:2 "down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."

The rib cage, whose function is to protect the lungs and heart, is made up of the 12 vertebrae and 24 ribs divided into 12 pairs on the right side and 12 pairs on the left side; 7 pairs called "true ribs" are directly attached to the sternum, 3 pairs called "false ribs" are attached together and the last 2 pairs are called "floating ribs". 

Is this a coincidence? 

When we examine the human body, we observe that it effectively functions by means of 12 systems: 

1. Integumentary - The skin: This is the most extensive system in the human body, a complex architecture that covers our muscles and provides a protective layer.

2. Skeletal - Bones: This is the foundation of human anatomy. The bones support the body and guard the internal organs. 

3. Muscular - Muscles: It is the primary component of human motricity. 

4. Nervous - The brain: It controls the actions and sensations from all different parts of the body, including thought, emotions and memory. 

5. Endocrine - The glands and cells: They make hormones that are released into the bloodstream. These hormones act as chemical messengers between various parts of the body. 

6. Circulatory - The heart, blood cells and blood vessels: They allow the movement of fluids and oxygen throughout the body. 

7. Lymphatic - The nerves: Essential to the proper functioning of the body, this system allows the circulation of lymph, a clear liquid containing white blood cells. Lymph carries away excess fluid and waste products from our cells. 

8. Immune: The body's natural defense mechanism against infection and disease. The immune system is made up of a complex system of interactions involving many different organs, cells, and substances that can recognize and eliminate certain pathogens or foreign molecules. 

9. Respiratory - The lungs: They play a vital role in bringing oxygen to the body.

10. Digestive: Responsible for the transformation of nutrients and their passage into the bloodstream to be used throughout the body. 

11. Urinary: Excretory system that allows the evacuation of waste in the form of urine and the purification of blood. 

12. Reproductive: The genital system which is essential for procreation. 

May the Holy Spirit guide you in understanding this message.