Here’s all the references of the term twelve tribes. In no case does the term mean Christians. The term is always a reference to the entire nation of Israel. And you expect me to believe when we get to James, the term is referencing believers? 🤦♂️
Genesis 49:28
All these are the
twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
Exodus 24:4
And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the
twelve tribesof Israel.
Exodus 28:21
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the
twelve tribes.
Exodus 39:14
And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel,
twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the
twelve tribes.
Joshua 3:12
Now therefore take you twelve men out of the
tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
Joshua 4:8
And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up
twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the
tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
Ezekiel 47:13
Thus saith the Lord God; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the
twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.
Matthew 19:28
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:30
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the
twelve tribes of Israel.
Acts 26:7
Unto which promise our
twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the
twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
Revelation 21:12
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the
twelve tribes of the children of Israel: