Who are the 24 Elders in Revelation 4?

Revelation 4

1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The twenty-four elders are a specific group of redeemed human beings who were raised from the dead at the time of Christ’s resurrection and ascended with Him to serve as assistants in the heavenly sanctuary Matthew 27:52-53DAR1909 415.1+1. These individuals represent the first fruits of Christ's victory over death and currently reside in the heavenly court, clothed in the white raiment of His righteousness and wearing golden crowns of victory Ephesians 4:8SSP 96.1+1.

Their Identity and Origin 👑

• Redeemed from Earth: They are literally and personally present in heaven because they have been redeemed from the earth by the blood of the Lamb Revelation 5:9ARSH November 26, 1861, page 204.10.

• Multitude of Captives: They were selected from the "multitude of captives" who came out of their graves when Christ arose and appeared to many in the holy city Matthew 27:52-53CIS 80.1+1.

• Representatives of Humanity: They are gathered from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation, possibly selected as the most eminent in piety from different ages of the world's history Revelation 5:9ARSH November 26, 1861, page 204.10.

• Glorified Bodies: Because they are never termed "souls" and are seen sitting on thrones, it is certain they possess glorified, tangible bodiesDAR1909 415.1+1.

Their Role in the Heavenly Sanctuary 🏛️

• Antitypical Priesthood: They serve as the antitype of the twenty-four courses of the Levitical priesthood established by David 1 Chronicles 24:1-19CIS 80.1.

• Assistants to Christ: They act as assistants to Jesus in His mediatorial work within the heavenly sanctuaryDAR 386.1+1.

• Offering Prayers: They are seen holding golden vials or bowls full of incense, which represent the prayers of the saints ascending from earth Revelation 5:8SSP 104.1+1.

• Judgment Seats: Their thrones are placed or established in the heavenly court to assist in the judgment scenes described in prophecy Daniel 7:9DAR 386.1+1.

Their Appearance and Position ✨

• Thrones and Crowns: They sit upon twenty-four thrones surrounding the central throne of God Revelation 4:4DAR 386.1+1.

• Victors’ Raiment: They are clothed in white raiment, signifying their completed conflict and gained victory Revelation 4:4DAR1909 415.1+1.

• Golden Crowns: On their heads are crowns of gold, which they cast before the throne during worship to acknowledge God’s worthiness as the Creator Revelation 4:10-11DAR1909 417.2+1.

Their Worship and Songs 🎶

• Praise for Creation: They prostrate themselves before the Father, declaring Him worthy to receive glory because He created all things for His pleasure Revelation 4:10-11SSP 100.1+1.

• Song of Redemption: They join the four living creatures in singing a "new song" that celebrates the Lamb's worthiness to open the seven seals because His sacrifice redeemed them Revelation 5:9ARSH November 26, 1861, page 204.10+1.

• Anticipation of the Kingdom: They look forward to the time when the plan of redemption is finished and they, along with all the redeemed, will reign on the earth Revelation 5:10DAR 398.2+1.

• Thanksgiving for the Seventh Trumpet: When the seventh angel sounds, they fall upon their faces to give thanks that the Lord has taken His great power to reign and that the time has come to reward the prophets and saints Revelation 11:15-18BP2 78.3+1.

• Witnesses to the Marriage of the Lamb: They participate in the great chorus of heaven celebrating the judgment of the great harlot and the preparation of the Bride for the marriage supper of the Lamb Revelation 19:1-7GCB/GCDB 1893, page 512.9+1.