Yes — Jesus promised His disciples that in the regeneration they would sit on twelve thrones and rule the twelve tribes of Israel.
The promise is recorded in Matthew 19:27-28, where Jesus responds to Peter's question about what they would have for following Him. He tells them that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, they will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Les Feldick explains that this was a literal promise to the twelve disciples, with Judas excluded, to be fulfilled when Christ sets up His kingdom.
Matthew 19:28 — This verse contains Jesus' explicit promise that the disciples will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel in the regeneration.
Matthew 19:27-28 records the exchange. Peter says, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Jesus replies, "Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." The promise is explicitly placed at a future time called "the regeneration" and is connected to the Son of man sitting on the throne of His glory. The text plainly states that the disciples will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Les Feldick explains that Peter's question in Matthew 19:27 was not about salvation. The disciples already had that; Peter was asking what more was in it for them and what the future would hold (Clip 1, Clip 6). Jesus did not upbraid them for asking, but answered specifically. Les teaches that "the regeneration" means the earth will be put back as it was originally—the curse will be lifted and it will be like the Garden of Eden (Clip 5, Clip 6). This will occur when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, which Les identifies as the throne of David in Jerusalem when Christ sets up His kingdom (Clip 2, Clip 6, Clip 7). The promise, Les says, was to the twelve, though Judas is excluded (Clip 2, Clip 5). They will sit upon twelve thrones, judging or ruling the twelve tribes of Israel (Clip 2, Clip 3, Clip 4, Clip 5, Clip 7). Matthias will take Judas's place so the twelve are complete (Clip 4, Clip 7). Les stresses that this is plain literal language, not to be spiritualized away (Clip 7). This is also why the disciples were so occupied with the Kingdom in Acts 1—after Jesus spent forty days speaking to them about it, they remembered the promised role (Clip 3, Clip 4, Clip 7).
No. Les Feldick points out that the disciples already had salvation from chapter 12 (Clip 1), so Peter was not asking about being saved. He was asking what additional blessing the future held for them after forsaking all (Clip 1, Clip 6). Jesus did not upbraid them for this honest question (Clip 1, Clip 4).
Les defines the regeneration as the time when things are put back as they were originally. It is when the curse is lifted and the earth is restored to a condition like the Garden of Eden (Clip 5, Clip 6). In that setting, the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory and the disciples receive their promised thrones (Clip 5, Clip 6).
No. Les states plainly that Judas is left out of the promise because Jesus knew what Judas was (Clip 2, Clip 5). The promise is to the eleven faithful disciples, and Matthias is chosen to take Judas's place as one of the twelve (Clip 4, Clip 7).
Les explains that after His resurrection, Jesus spent forty days speaking with the disciples about the Kingdom and their role in it (Clip 3). They remembered the promise that they would sit upon twelve thrones ruling the twelve tribes of Israel, so they asked, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6, Clip 7).
Who Goes Into the Kingdom? What the Bible Really Says
Israel." Now why did Jesus do that? Why did He qualify it in such a narrow frame of reference? Well because the Abrahamic Covenant had nothing to do with anyone but the nation of Israel, and He knew that. He was the Framer of it. He was the One who made that covenant. And don't think for a minute He was confused. I think I've shared that, maybe even on television.
Peter Asks About Reward
Les notes that Peter's question was not about salvation but about what more the disciples would have for following Jesus—the very question that leads to the promise of thrones.
Twelve Thrones for Israel
Les explains that Jesus promised the disciples (minus Judas) that they would sit upon twelve thrones ruling the twelve tribes of Israel when the Son of Man sits on His throne.
The Disciples Remembered the Promise
Les points out that the disciples' role of ruling the twelve tribes was in their thinking as they gathered around the risen Jesus.
Matthias Replaces Judas
Les ties the promise of twelve thrones to Matthias being chosen to take Judas's place, and notes the disciples never forgot the promise.
Regeneration Means Restoration
Les defines the regeneration as the earth being put back to its original condition, and identifies this as the time when the disciples will rule the twelve tribes.
Earth Restored, Kingdom Set Up
Les connects the regeneration to the curse being lifted so the earth is like the Garden of Eden, and shows that this is when the disciples receive their promised rule.
Jerusalem Throne and the Twelve Rulers
Les locates Christ's throne in Jerusalem on the throne of David and says plainly that the twelve will rule the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 19:27: Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Peter's question sets up Jesus' promise of reward.
Matthew 19:28: And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
This is the explicit promise of twelve thrones and rule over the twelve tribes.
Acts 1:6: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
The disciples' question reflects their expectation of the promised kingdom and their role in it.
No. Les Feldick clarifies that the disciples already had salvation. Peter's question was about what additional reward the future held. Jesus' answer was not about eternal life but about thrones and rule over the twelve tribes of Israel.
Les teaches that regeneration refers to the time when the earth is restored to its original pre-curse condition—like the Garden of Eden. That is when the Son of Man will sit on His throne and the disciples will rule the twelve tribes.
No. Les says Judas is excluded from the promise. Because the number twelve must be filled, Matthias takes his place, as recorded in Acts chapter 1.
Les states that Jesus will sit on the throne of His glory in Jerusalem, specifically on the throne of David. The disciples will rule the twelve tribes of Israel from twelve thrones at that time.
Watch the Teaching: Who Goes Into the Kingdom? What the Bible Really Says