As the Old Covenant was founded on twelve patriarchs, it was fitting that the New Covenant be founded on twelve Apostles.

Wednesday, 7/6/16

Jesus chose just twelve apostles, not eleven or thirteen, because he wanted us to be seen as the new People of God. Just at the Old Testament’s People of God was founded on twelve patriarchs, so it was fitting that there be twelve as the basis of the New People of God.

We see this demonstrated in Chapter Twenty-One of the Book of Revelation where the two Peoples of God come together to form the Heavenly Jerusalem

Verse 12. The city had a massive high wall with twelve gates . . . on which were inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.

Verse 14  The wall  of the city  had twelve courses of stones as its foundation on which were inscribed the twelve names of the Apostles.

This new Jerusalem is described in the third verse of “The Holy City.”

And once again the scene was changed,

New earth there seemed to be.

I saw the Holy City rise beside a tide-less sea.

The light of God was in the streets, the gates were open wide

And all who would might enter, and no one was denied.

And all who would might enter, and no one was denied

It was the new Jerusalem that will not pass away.

It was the new Jerusalem that will not pass away.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing,

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna for ever more.