Giving the Tribe of Dan a fair shake

These are my original thoughts, aside from where I have noted.  I am taking a little side trip, into the Tribes of Dan.  Some of this post will be factual; some of it will be with a kind heart, one which wants to give every tribe a fair shake.

In Revelation 7, the Apostle John wrote about the 144,000 being "sealed" in their foreheads prior to the angels unleashing judgment.  Each tribe will have 12,000 sealed, listed in this order (which may or may not mean anything).

    Judah, Reuben, Gad

    Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh

    Simeon, Levi, Issachar

    Zebulon, Joseph, Benjamin

Where is the tribe of Dan???  

Was there a problem with the manuscript text over the centuries?  

In more than one website, some people in Christian circles surmise that the antichrist will be Jewish and come from the tribe of Dan, due to its history with idolatry in part of the Old Testament (Jewish Tanakh).  They think that the tribe of Dan will be withheld blessings in the end or the next Life.  I will just say that the scriptures don't specifically say that the antichrist will come from any of the tribes of Israel, and also the scriptures say that all the tribes sinned in one way or another.  

It isn't fair anyways to give the Tribe of Dan a bad rap.  Let's just pretend that it's true that the antichrist will come from Dan.  Would that reflect on the whole tribe as individual people, implying that they are all bad if they are Danites?  That would be like saying that everybody from the Tribe of Judah is good because the Messiah comes from Judah.  Of course, that kind of logic just doesn't hold up.  Let's just say, that a person identifies with Israelite ancestry in their being, and studies or prays to God for confirmation on which tribe the person should identify with.  The answer is Dan.  Oh, but how damaging that could be to a person if they think, "I come from the antichrist tribe; oh, I'm destined for bad things, and God doesn't love me!"  Yes, there are too many articles out there (no doubt people copying each others thoughts put to pixel and paper) about Dan and the antichrist.

How unfair it is to label a whole tribe antichrist!

One of the quoted scriptures in an article about Dan being the antichrist tribe, is Jeremiah 8:16, as supportive of their point.  The scripture appears to be actually talking about the destruction of the Jewish people at the time of the First Temple. (Please!  Read stuff in context of whole chapters!)  Dan had territory in the North of Israel.  Verse 19 in Jeremiah 8 says that their (afflictors - attackers) would come from a far away country, implying that the attackers would enter through Dan's territory, or that Danites would be complicit with the attackers.   

Another complaint against the Tribe of Dan as the future antichrist is the description of Dan in Genesis 49, and then it's compared with a description in Jeremiah 8 (speaking of serpents etc.).  Just know that (as another example) serpents and locusts are mentioned in the Book of Revelation, and this may be a reference to armies in warfare.  So let's not just single out one tribe.  In fact, several tribes in Genesis 49 have some description of war talents or future war experiences.  In the Bible, animals and insects are sometimes used to refer to attributes or actions of people.  So, to say again, Jeremiah 8 appears to be talking about events which happened during Jeremiah's lifetime, not the Last Days.

Some people think that the description of Dan in Genesis 49 could be referring to Danites being drawn to professions in law and law enforcement:  Judges, police, military, etc..  In fact, the tribal symbols for Dan are:  the Eagle, the Scales (of justice) and the Scorpion or the Serpent.  The name "Dan" in Hebrew is related to the word "din" which is related to a judicial court (Beit Din).

Okay, back to the book of Revelation:  After the sealing of the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, Chapter 7 goes on to describe a meeting of a great multitude of people before the throne of the Lamb of God, clothed in white and holding palm fronds in their hands.

from jw.org

Christ's Second Coming fits in with the symbolism of Fall Feasts of the Hebrew religion.  He comes as King and Mighty Savior in his Second Coming.  This passage is not specific about whether the tribes of Israel are included in this large Assembly of people from all nations and kindreds (Rev. 7:9).  It does say that the worship is before the Lamb's throne.  Is this an earthly throne or heavenly throne?  It does not specify.  It does sound like perhaps this assembly relates to the Great and Last Day, "Shemini Atzeret," the 8th Day Assembly after Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles is ended.  The Feast of Tabernacles is one of the High holidays during the 7th Biblical month (in the Fall).  Could there be a reason why Dan would or would not attend this event?

Here are some things to consider about why the Tribe of Dan should not be eliminated from receiving blessings:

•  In the Old Testament, the Tribe of Benjamin was nearly wiped out by their brethren due to Benjamin's tribal misdeed of not bringing rapist-murderers within their borders, to justice.  The other tribes felt sorry for nearly-wiping Benjamin out, and provided wives for the 600 surviving men.   Why wipe Dan off the list then? 
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• Genesis 49 still mentions Dan and its condition or duties in the Last Days.
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• Ezekiel 48 (latter chapters have references to the Last Days) shows that Dan will have their own land.  Verses 1, 2.    Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, Judah, Levi (the temple area), Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulon, Gad, listed in that order, all 13 tribes.
• Later, in Ezekiel 48, it talks about the gates of the City named after the tribes, named in this order:
• 3 North gates:  Reuben, Judah, Levi
• 3 East gates:  Joseph, Benjamin, Dan
• 3 South gates:  Simeon, Issachar, Zebulon
• 3 West gates:  Gad, Asher, Naphtali
• By the way, the City shall be named, The Lord is There (Ezekiel 48:35).
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• Revelation 21 is about the New Jerusalem coming from God out of heaven.  It says that 12 tribes are represented (in verse 12).  In the beginning of the nation (time of Moses) Levi was considered to be within the other 12 tribes.  This infers that Dan has representation.  Exodus 28 may be of interest because it talks about the precious stones for the tribes in the priest's breastplate.

Now, the Israelites (and other ancient civilizations) were a more symbolic people than much of the world is today, particularly Western society.  The Israelites were well aware of the Zodiac constellations, which were symbolic of each one of the tribes.  The zodiac sign of the tribe of Dan was/is a combination of Libra (the Scales of Justice) and Scorpio (the Scorpion or Serpent).  Centuries ago, Zodiac symbolism was combined with Astronomical science; but now, things are either Astronomy or Astrology, but not both together!  And people go nuts because they think that the Zodiac (astrology) always has to be paired with sorcery.  The truth is, it doesn't have to be.  The Zodiac can be placed within the realm of symbology.  There are lots of things that can be used for good or evil.  Even God said in the early chapters of Genesis that the objects in the heavens were for signs and seasons.  The whole story of the Bethlehem Star is an example of this!  The Magi had astrological/ astronomical knowledge and were looking for the prophesied signs in the heavens denoting the birth of Jesus/Yeshua.

All signs can have a positive or negative manifestation.

Okay, the sign of Libra is more straightforward: the scales can represent balance, relationships (personal, marital, business, political), justice, opposites.  It is an "air" sign also, representing processing information through the intellect/mind.  It can be a charming or polite sign too.  Libra roughly corresponds to the 7th Biblical month.  The "Sept" in September means "seven" in Latin.

Scorpio roughly corresponds to the 8th Biblical month.  The "Oct" in October means "eight" in Latin.  The Scorpio sign is more complex.  It represents situations of, or cycles of life and death; resurrection, regeneration, and the nighttime aspect of relationships (sex/procreation).  It can be intense, loyal, emotional, because Scorpio is a water sign (water=emotion).  Thus, Scorpio themed individuals may have more change, problems, or intense situations in their life.  They could be a doctor or EMT.  They could face danger.  Bodyguard, police, firemen, military, or powerful politician, or have some other intense career.  An undertaker/mortician.  Or have a large family (very procreative).   The scorpion is a reptile that that hides out in the desert and will burrow underground or behind a rock.  Thus, with deep-ground symbology, mining would be another Scorpion career.  Scorpio has then not just a water element to it, but earth too.  Water and earth mixed together is mud, and mud is messy.  Think about it: life and death, are messy.  Procreation is primal and intense.  The dark can be dangerous, mysterious, suspicious, and have intrigue.  [FYI: People that learn about the difference of good and evil but to cherish the good, can be loyal and do many wonderful things!  Think of those who go on rescue missions and save people from human trafficking, or policemen who save people by catching a dangerous person.]  Not everything Scorpion is intense though; it can be quiet, shy and deep.  Switching to the alternate symbol for Scorpio, the eagle sign, the eagle perches in the high places, and its eye is keen and discerning, seeing things that others might not see. (A good researcher or scientist).  A Scorpio type person may be a deep thinker, and thorough in their approach to life. The eagle is given to courageous flight, and this can be a symbol of freedom loving and willing to live life on its own terms or for the cause of others.

An important side note in regards to astrology and tribal identification:  Do not make the assumption that you are from the tribe of Dan if your birthday is in September or October (Libra or Scorpio sun sign).  That would mean that all couples from Dan could only birth all of their children in Sept-October-November, and that is not how conception works between couples.  1.  Zodiac - Astrology is more complex than a Sun Sign (too long to discuss here).  2. Traditionally the tribe was determined by the Patriarchal lineage - father, to father, to his father, and so on, unless it changed through adoption, marriage, or conversion.  

Okay, back to Dan.  

Let's look at what Genesis 49 (last days, verse 1) has to say about Dan.

16 ¶ Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.   [sounds sort of like a policeman that nabs the offender, or traps the criminal and stops him].

18 I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.

And, Deuteronomy 33:

22 ¶ And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

(a lion's whelp means a lion's cub).  This lion is not grown up to full status yet, but has the energy of the lion's potential to lead or to pounce.   Bashan is the area of modern-day Syria.  As an interesting side note, Dan was born to Bilhah-- Rachel's maid who became one of her husband Jacob's concubines.   This was a wife with lesser status, thus the children might have had a lesser status.   A lesser status can lead to more struggle to achieve. 

I do recommend using the Strong's Concordance and looking up these passages for greater understanding from the original languages.  You can easily find Strong's through Biblehub.com or an App on your phone through the Apple Store or Google Play Store.  Etc.  

Okay, so Dan has a delay.  They wait for salvation.  They will as a group, merit it.  I have given proof that they are still included in God's lists.  When the antichrist comes, it will become apparent who he is, so let's not sin and make (in my opinion, unfounded) conclusions that the antichrist is Jewish and from the Tribe of Dan.  Whoever he is, he will be an enemy against the people of God and the people of Israel.

In a Jewish website, it mentions that in antiquity, the Tribe of Dan would pick up the leftovers (trash, left behind items) when the tribes would leave in formation to a new destination.  Yes, they performed the perhaps not often thanked job of cleaning up after others.  Think if in our own cities, the garbage man never came by, people would have a fit because of the mess and disease (or worse, if the undertaker never did his job).  Perhaps the Danites were physically strong and could deal with such rigorous jobs (think of Samson from the Tribe of Dan, who had super human strength but a weakness for beautiful foreign women).  Sometimes the important jobs are not thanked much until those jobs are not performed!  For a Jewish perspective on the Tribe of Dan, read (click on) this Chabad article about Dan 

In Ezekiel 39, it talks about the battle of Gog and Magog.  That chapter says that there will be so many dead, the beasts will have a feast, the weapons will provide 7 years of fuel, and it will take 7 months to find and to bury the dead from that war.  They will take people out of their employment, just to bury the dead.  It mentions that the burial will be in a valley near the travelers, east of the sea.  The city will be called the Multitude (Hamonah).  

Now this I don't know, but is that sea speaking of the Dead Sea?  Or the Mediterranean?  If it is the Mediterranean, I will note that the big international airport in Israel, Tel Aviv, a coastal city east of the Mediterranean, is in the borders of the ancient tribal lands of Dan.  Who knows, when the Gog and Magog war occurs, will that airport still be there?  Time will reveal where that will occur.   What is interesting is that the scripture mentions the passengers (travelers) twice in that chapter, and how the noses of the passengers are stopped (likely referring to the stench of the dead bodies, the living are greatly repelled, holding their noses closed). 

Now, I had to look to make sure, but a very quick look online said that the battle of Armaggedon is not the same as the battle of Gog and Magog.  There are so many different events mentioned in the scriptures that it is dizzying, just trying to figure out the order and details of everything.  Unless there is an error in our modern rendition of Revelation 7 in not mentioning the Tribe of Dan as part of the 144,000, then here is supposition on my part:  Might the Danites be either involved in taking out the trash of the world, i.e. bringing people to justice for righteous reasons, going to war, or cleaning up dead, and so, maybe that is why they aren't on the list of the 144,000?  Perhaps they are delayed and waiting for the Lord's salvation for a good reason that serves the rest of us?  Remember Samson how in the end he sacrificed himself for the good of all his nation?  Remember that there were things which made a person and priest ritually unclean for worship or to be in the temple, until they had been cleansed.  Could that be why Dan collectively wasn't ready to be part of the 144,000?  Food for thought.

Let's be fair to the Tribe of Dan!  

p.s.  from Mormon scripture about the 144,000

Doctrine and Covenants 77:

11 Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe?A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.