Revelation 22:12; The Twelve Angels
Revelation 21:12 (KJV) 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:
The “twelve angels” stationed at the twelve gates function as watchmen to reinforce the impression of security (Isaiah 62:6; cf. 2 Chronicles 8:14).
Isaiah 62:6 (KJV) I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
2 Chronicles 8:14 (KJV) And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.
The suggestion that they are there to keep all impurity from the city (Genesis 3:23; Revelation 21:27) is not without merit, but this is not to say that the city is under danger of attack from potential enemies.
Genesis 3:23 (KJV) Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Revelation 21:27 (KJV) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Evil is not a component of the new creation. The extreme of seeing the angels as simply a mark of the completeness and adornment of the city as a beautiful fortress is unjustified. They have a function to perform as do all others who are part of the city.
The names of the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed on the gates is according to the plan of Ezekiel 48:31-34, with one name on each gate.
Ezekiel 48:31-34 (KJV) And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi. And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan. And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun. At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.
The engraving of these names recalls the description of the high priest’s breastplate in Exodus 28:9, 29; 39:14 (Lee).
Exodus 28:9 (KJV) And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
Exodus 28:29 (KJV) And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
Exodus 39:14 (KJV) 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.
It serves explicit notice of the distinct role of national Israel in this eternal city in fulfilment of their distinctive role in history throughout the centuries of their existence (cf. Revelation 7:1-8).
Revelation 7:1-8 (KJV) And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there weresealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 462-463]