Why were the tribes of Dan and Ephraim missing in Rev.7:1-8?

Why were the tribes of Dan and Ephraim missing in Rev.7:1-8? Most scholars believe that Dan was omitted because it was through them that idolatry was introduced into the land after Solomon died. [1 Kings 12:28-30] Jacob had prophesied in Genesis 49:17 that Dan will be a serpent by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse's heels so that its rider tumbles backward hinting that Dan would be responsible for Israel's fall back into idolatry. There's a tradition that Dan was a ringleader in the kidnapping and sale of Joseph into slavery, and another one that the Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan. For these or other reasons, no one from the tribe of Dan is sealed. But God is merciful, and at the beginning of the Kingdom Age when the land is re-distributed, Dan receives the first share. [Ezekiel 48:1] Although Ephraim is not mentioned by name, his people are included since they make up the group called Joseph here. Remember, the tribe of Joseph was divided between Ephraim and Manasseh. By naming Joseph and Manasseh to the list the people from both halves of Joseph's tribe are sealed without mentioning Ephraim's name. 1 Kings 12:28-30 also tells us that a golden calf was set up in Bethel, in the land of Ephraim, in addition to the one in Dan. The Lord hates idolatry.

From another source: http://www.libertygospeltracts.com/ques ... anmiss.htm

What we see here is that the tribes of Ephraim and Dan went off into idolatry, and thus they are not listed in the Book of Revelation as tribes that are sealed. Revelation 7:2,3 stated, just before listing those that were sealed, "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." The tribes of Ephraim and Dan had not been faithful servants of God, but servants of idols and false gods. Hosea 4:17 says, "EPHRAIM IS JOINED TO IDOLS: let him alone."


Quasar02