Oh ok so you are of the belief that 144,000 is not a literal number as well. Ok interesting. I didnt think it was symbolic, but then this is only first fruits of Israel...there are tens of thousnads, thousands of thousands of other saints who come in who are not from those tribes...but tribes from every tongue and nation, without number...funny the book of revelation gives specific numbers for the tribes of Israel though.
Tribes that represent gates used as the description of the bride of Christ the church the spiritual house of God made up of many lively stones (144,000) like Apostles as walls that represent the same bride of Christ. are both used in respect to the metaphoric word twelve. Twelve represent the authority of God as the whole. Twelve is used many times in parables
Both Dan and Judas are missing, set aside for a certain purpose in the prescription in the book of Revelation.
The tribe of Dan missing to represent those under the judgment of God .And the Judas the false apostle missing to represent the same .Those who fall backward in judgment as metaphor for a unbeliever. Those having no faith that comes from believing God who works in those who do believe.
God does not give exact numbers or time or those who walk by sight are quick to become one of the number comparing themselves to themselves and not comparing the spiritual things not seen to the spiritual .Rather that walking by faith the unseen, hidden from natural man that are quick to become the number as a self confirmation or self edifying the works of the flesh that provide the false pride of this life.
I heard the Mormons place certain people elders into the category of 144,000 but ran into a difficulty having fulfilled that number prematurely long ago . It became "recalculating" please turn right in 1 mile.
Genesis 49:17 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.
John 18:5-7 King James Version (KJV) 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.Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
The bride of Christ as to the city prepared as the wife of Christ. is reckoned as a hundred and forty and four cubits (144) , according to the measure of a man that is of the angel who uses the metaphorical measure thousand or thousands. 144, 000 The bride of Christ pictured in Revelation 12.
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Revelation 21;17