The 24 Elders

[SivartM]

Who do you think the 24 elders in Revelation 4 are?

They are generally understood to be the saints who were raised at Jesus' resurrection and taken to heaven with Him, since they sing about their redemption.

I'm interested in speculation about individual identities. Who do you think would be likely "candidates" for the 24 elders? Do you think they are all men, or a mixture of men and women? Do you think they are all prominent Bible characters?

Your thoughts, please. :)

[teresaq]

it would seem moses would certainly be one...

[Stewart (SDA)]

In my view, the subject of the 24 elders relates to the 24 divisions of the priesthood which seem to have come into existence in the time of ZADOK the priest.

1Chron 24:1-19

"Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.

And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.

And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. [16+8=24]

Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God...

Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

The 3rd to Harim, the 4th to Seorim,

The 5th to Malchijah, the 6th to Mijamin,

The 7th to Hakkoz, the 8th to Abijah,

The 9th to Jeshuah, the 10th to Shecaniah,

The 11th to Eliashib, the 12th to Jakim,

The 13th to Huppah, the 14th to Jeshebeab,

The 15th to Bilgah, the 16th to Immer,

The 17th to Hezir, the 18th to Aphses,

The 19th to Pethahiah, the 20th to Jehezekel,

The 21st to Jachin, the 22nd to Gamul,

The 23rd to Delaiah, the 24th to Maaziah.

These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him..."

These 24 divisions (or orders) appear to have still be in effect in Jesus' day, since John the Baptist's father is said to have belonged to the priestly "order" of "Abia" (Lk 1:5,8), the 8th of the 24 orders.

I tend to think that these 24 "orders" (or divisions) of the priesthood are "figures" which point to the true, and that the 24 "elders" represent, not individuals, but rather, 24 divisions of those that have ministered through the gospel dispensation.

_______

Stewart.

[SivartM]

Fantastic insights, but there are only 24 seats. Do you think the thrones are symbolic?

[Stewart (SDA)]

I cannot claim that I have any real conviction with regards to my views on this subject, but yes, I think it is possible that those 24 seats are symbolic.

Jesus says to us,

"To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne..." (Rev 3:21)

ALL the people of God will be overcomers, and so every one of them will sit with Jesus in His throne.

It would follow that the throne of Christ is, in some sense, symbolic (or at least representative of a large place), and I think it consistent to allow that those 24 seats would also be symbolic.

Stewart.