The book of James contains doctrinal truths for the Jews living in the last days of the tribulation as they will be scattered and will face all kinds of trouble.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
The term twelve tribes is used all throughout Scripture, and is always a reference to the nation of Israel as a whole and never to a called out group from that nation. Genesis 49:28, Exodus 24:4, 28:21, Ezekiel 47:13. And the NT is no different: Matt 19:28, Luke 22:30, Acts 26:7, Revelation 21:12. There is no justification for taking this as anything other than an address to the twelve tribes of Israel. In order to make James a Christian epistle would mean to contradict every other usage of this term in Scripture. It is certainly not a reference to the diaspora.
Not all Israel is born again Israel.
I would offer Twelve tribes, like twelve apostles are set aside together as one to represent the bride of Christ the church in Revelation 21 at the close of cannon. . Twelve representing the authority of God. While tribes represent gates for entering in, and apostles walls as foundations that protect from enemies without. Out of all the apostles listed in the new testament (27) God set aside a
remnant of 12 for his purpose to mixed with tribes to form the description of His new creation his eternal bride. ,
The tribe of Dan is left out of the description in the book of Revelation. The name is not mentioned once throughout the book. Just as Judas is left out.
13 -1= 12 . twelve the authority of God
It would be like 13 is to signify the letter of the law, as death, the "spirit of judgement" , is now dead . . .having been cast in the fiery judgement .Looking from the standpoint of the last day ( in the Spirit on the Lord's day) spoken of in the first chapter of Revelation. lookin back (past future present)
.Naming that tribe "Dan" meaning: "Jehovah is Judge" to signify the letter of the law that kills is used as one that trusted false doctrine signified by the poison of serpents (false doctrine) one falls backward to indicate slain in the letter of the law , no faith, as
it is written in the book of the law prophecy.. .
Dan as the
spirit of judgement
Genesis 49:16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. 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.
Judas an example of the spirit of judgement at work. He removed from the number that represents the wall as a description of the bride to represent saints on this side of the cross. It would seem to be used as a parable of one that falls backward in Judgment of unbelief. And not forward in admiration and worship .
The same falling backward or falling away describing those who refuse to believe sola scriptura as in all thing written in the law and the prophets. Again representing the letter of the law kills. like a deadly poison exposing false prophecy as oral traditions of men..
John 18:4-6 King James Version (KJV) J
esus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Described as the spirt of judgement below.
And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.Isaiah 28:6
Also revealing a few verse down, who and what the judgement is founded on. Men with stammering, mocking lips that mock God in unbelief so God mocks them by speaking in a unknow language to them the promise of Joel to show he is not served by human hands from any nation . God mocking unbelief in mankind.
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.Isaiah 28:11-13
1 Samuel 4:18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
Many examples of the
spirit of judgement .His not ours. He must increase and us decrease .
Psalm 40:14Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
Psalm 70:2Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
Isaiah 1:4Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
12 = grace Christian
13 = no grace
natural man under the spirit of judgment