It is possible that the people of Ephraim are "hidden" within the distinct naming of the tribe of Joseph (verse 8). The Bible does not state why Ephraim, one of Joseph's two sons, is not directly named as contributing toward the 144,000 as his other son Manasseh is listed (Revelation 7:6). The first missing tribe is Dan (see our article on why Dan was left out). Two Israelite tribes are not specifically listed as being part of the 144,000. Scripture takes great pains to enumerate twelve of Israel's tribes from which 12,000 people each will be converted (or sealed, see Revelation 7:5 - 8). This special group, found in Revelation 7 and 14, are composed entirely of physical descendants of Israel. John states, "And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb standing on Mount Sion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads (they obey him and have His spirit in them)" (Revelation 14:1). They have been called and converted by God during the great tribulation period. The Apostle John, in a vision, sees a group of resurrected believers standing with Jesus Christ. The 144,000 are mentioned again later in Revelation. Revelation then states, "And I heard the number of those who were sealed: one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel" (Revelation 7:2 - 4, HBFV).
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