Who are the twenty four elders of Revelation?

[hobie]

We see several text of the twenty four elders in scripture..
Revelation 4:10-11
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.

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

So what do these twenty four elders mean and where do they come from. The Levitical priesthood was divided into twenty-four courses and it was there at the time of Jesus. We see its continuance in Zacharias in Luke 1:5-9, when the angel came to tell him while he was in the temple that he would have a son, who was John the Baptist.
Luke 1:5-9
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

John in Revelation, saw four and twenty elders seated upon four and twenty seats, and they worshiped the Lamb, saying, “Thou hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.. and hast made us unto our God kings and priests.”

Revelation 4:4
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.

Revelation 5:8-10
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

In this we see the antitype of the twenty-four courses of priests. The chiefs, or elders, of each course have seats of honor, and they are kings and priests after the order of Melchizedek. Now we see the following in Matthew 27:50-53..
Matthew 27:50-53
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

We see in Matthew the first fruits of those who rise from the dead after the resurrection of Christ, do they constitute the four and twenty elders? We see in Ephesians a clue:

Ephesians 4:8
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
The marginal reading is, he led a “multitude of captives.” Eph.4:8.

Is there a answer given here.

[Kevin H]

You will find different suggestions as to who the 24 Elders are. Some of these suggestions may not be mutually exclusive to another.  The one that I seem to hear the most is based on speculation that those who rose with the passion of Jesus, that he took to heaven with him must be the 24 elders. 

I've found the most convincing the view suggested by my professors from Atlantic Union College, and for a different reason, was also suggested by my professor at the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies.  Both suggest that the 24 Elders are symbolic of how heaven actively communicates with the church on earth through the testimony of the 12 tribes (the Old Testament/TANAK) and the testimony of the 12 apostles (the New Testament.), or simply the Bible. 

The professors at AUC start out with the 4 living creatures. In the exodus the Hebrews camped in a square. The tabernacle was in the middle. Around the tabernacle and between the tabernacle and the other tribes the tribe of Levi (including the priests) camped. Then came the square of the other tribes. Each side consisted of three tribes, with the center tribe having a specific symbol, which also became the overall symbol for all three tribes. One one side you had Naphtali, Dan (Eagle) and Asher.  The next side was Zeblum, Judah (Lion), and Issachar.  Then we come to the three opposite of the Eagle tribes, these are Simeon, Rubin (Man) and Gad. Finally you have the side that consists of Manasseh,  Ephraim (Ox), Benjamin. 

In Ezekiel we find these 4 symbols applied to angels, and many want to start with Ezekiel and skip over the camp of Israel in the exodus. What we find in Ezekiel is that although God's people are in exile, God is not saying "good riddance" but that he comes on a movable throne to be with his people in exile. Revelation has the angels for the churches; this is the exact same idea as the angels for the tribes. (also remember that the Lord is enthroned upon the praises of his people.)

Thus the 4 creatures are a symbol of the church, especially in the process of having been delivered from Egypt, but not yet in the promised land; and when we are in exile from the promised land. 

Revelation 4 and 5 are based on this camp. We find God on his throne, but we don't find a visible tabernacle. He is in heaven and his people, his church, the 4 living creatures, are in exile/exodus on earth. We have been delivered from sin, but we are in transit on our way to the promised land. In Revelation 4 and 5 we find where we have in the exodus the Levites, in Revelation we have the 24 Elders. In the exodus the Hebrews could look towards the tabernacle, and the Levites, especially the priests, would minister to the people and bring the people what God wanted them to know. In Revelation 4 and 5, God's throne is in heaven, we don't see a literal tabernacle on earth among us. But just because God is up there in heaven, we are orphans on earth. Heaven is actively communicating with us through the 24 Elders, the Word of God. There are things called "Present Truth." We don't have someone from the tribe of Levi come and tell us. But we notice things in God's word that we did not realize before. 

Now, why do we move from the entire tribe of Levi to "24 Elders"? Actually, these two are connected. In the time of Jesus we had the Sanhedrin which consisted of 69 leaders, both Pharisees and Sadducee priests plus the High Priest for a total of 70. Now, the Sanhedrin did not always need all 70. They could have a quorum, considered to be "the whole Sanhedrin" with 23 members plus the high priest for 24. This is again based on the  24 courses of priests. The Sanhedrin was a religious court system while the Roman Governor lead the secular court system. 

Now, when both Pharisees and Sadducees meet for discussion, there were different schools of Pharisees.  When the disciples went through the grain fields and rubbed the grains; most Pharisees did NOT see this as breaking the Sabbath, however, there were a few who did see this as breaking the Sabbath. If Jesus was taken to the Sanhedrin and someone said that he allowed his disciples to pluck the grain on the Sabbath, other Pharisees would argue "That's fine to do on the Sabbath. but we accuse Jesus of doing this..." which other Pharisees would see as acceptable actions, and the inquiry would go nowhere. We find how Paul was able to take advantage of seeing that there were both Pharisees and Sadducees when he was arrested. Also, Pharisees ran the spectrum from those living up to what they understood and having a relationship with God, all the way to the hypocrites, and every shade between.  But generally speaking, they would be interested in fair trials. 

The Sadducees on the other hand were corrupt puppets of Rome. They just wanted to get rid if people who they thought were getting too popular with the people. So they would have a meeting of the Sanhedrin consisting of ONLY 23 Sadducee Priests and the High Priest. They did not even pretend to have a fair trial. They would purposely have witnesses that contradicted each other. Then they could take their victim out and stone them to death. The religious court and secular court would communicate if they were worried about someone popular with the people. If they thought they could do better charging the person with secular situations they would go to the Roman court, but if they could do a better argument with religious charges, they would go to the 24 Sadducee Sanhedrin members. 

Rome had different punishments, including different forms of the death sentence. The Sanhedrin only had one form of death: Stoning (which was the quickest and least painful way to die in the ancient world.) Now, if someone was really popular with the people, and the 24 Sadducee Sanhedrin took their victim out and stoned them to death, the disciples could see their late leader as a martyr. However, the Jews understood the text about whoever hangs on a tree as being cursed by God, as meaning that God would not allow his people to hang on a tree. Only God's evil enemies would hang on a tree. Thus if the 24 Sadducee Priests Sanhedrin really wanted to ruin someone's influence, they would turn them over to Rome to hang on a tree. The disciples would conclude that this person was wrong and God wanted nothing to do with him. They would have felt that they were deceived, that this person they liked was actually a servant of Satan, not God. Hanging on a tree would ruin a reputation just as if they found the person to be say a womanizer or embezzler, or anything else someone could do to convince you that they were not from God.  The followers would separate from each other, they would distance themselves from what this person was teaching, so if the 24 Sadducee Priests Sanhedrin would turn their victim over to Rome, they would destroy not only the popular person, but also their ideas. The evidence in the Bible is that Jesus' interaction with the Sanhedrin was with a Sadducee court of 23 Sadducee priests and the High Priest, for 24 Sadducee priests Sanhedrin. Now, the word "Sanhedrin" is a Greek word. We had lost what the term that the Jews used. Now we know. The word translated as "Sanhedrin" was "Elders".  The Levites/ Priests were to present the truth about God. The truth about Jesus. We have 24 priest Elders telling false witness about Jesus. We have 24 priest Elders who took Jesus to Pilate and instead of witnessing to Pilate to teach him the truth about Jesus, which was their job, they instead gave false witness. 

The Levites were Elders telling the truth about God, a Sanhedrin. Thus we have in Revelation the 24 Elders, yes, replacing the whole tribe of Levi, but also, as considered the whole tribe of Levi just as the 24 Sadducee Priests Elders/Sanhedrin represented the entire Priesthood. These are the heavenly counterpart of the 24 Sadducee Priests Elders/Sanhedrin who was telling lies about Jesus. This heavenly counterpart is telling what those 24 Sadducee Priests Elders/Sanhedrin were supposed to proclaim about Jesus both to themselves and to Pilate and to the whole world.  We have the 24 false Elders on earth, and the 24 true Elders actively bringing the truth about Jesus to the 4 living creatures: God's church, free from Egypt but not yet in the promised land. The testimony of the 12 Tribes and the 12 Apostles, the living, active word of God.  

 

[Asia Joe]

I do not believe the 24 Elders are symbolic.  

On 11/30/2025 at 9:10 PM, hobie said:

and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Based on this, I believe they were from Earth. Overcomers, as Revelation calls it. 

Certainly Enoch and Moses would fit the title. I am inclined to believe others came from the resurrection, and were the first fruits offering. 

 

[Theophilus]

Stephen Bohr has an excellent series on this.

The 24 elders are the sons of God mentioned in Job--representatives of the unfallen worlds.This scenario was the one Adam would have attended as representative of this world had he not sinned/

You will notice Rev 4 speaks about God and His Creative power--no mention of Jesus-yet the 24 are there. It is in Rev 5 that Jesus returns to Heaven. This would be found in his "The Return of the War Hero" Here are the various videos:Mission Accomplished The Return of the War Hero Who Are The 24 Elders? Earth's Two Representatives Redeemed From The Earth? Future History and Functions

 

also Bohr provides free downloadable or printable notes to this series:  https://sumtv.org/study-notes/the-24-elders  (He has tons of other topics done in depth  free) The Buy button on there is if you want them to print the notes for you--the PDF button is for the free notes. He made his notes free years ago.

 

[hobie]

On 12/5/2025 at 11:37 PM, Joe Knapp said:

I do not believe the 24 Elders are symbolic.  

Based on this, I believe they were from Earth. Overcomers, as Revelation calls it. 

Certainly Enoch and Moses would fit the title. I am inclined to believe others came from the resurrection, and were the first fruits offering. 

 

That is my thoughts also...

[hobie]

On 12/6/2025 at 7:24 AM, Theophilus said:

Stephen Bohr has an excellent series on this.

The 24 elders are the sons of God mentioned in Job--representatives of the unfallen worlds.This scenario was the one Adam would have attended as representative of this world had he not sinned/

You will notice Rev 4 speaks about God and His Creative power--no mention of Jesus-yet the 24 are there. It is in Rev 5 that Jesus returns to Heaven. This would be found in his "The Return of the War Hero" Here are the various videos:Mission Accomplished The Return of the War Hero Who Are The 24 Elders? Earth's Two Representatives Redeemed From The Earth? Future History and Functions

 

also Bohr provides free downloadable or printable notes to this series:  https://sumtv.org/study-notes/the-24-elders  (He has tons of other topics done in depth  free) The Buy button on there is if you want them to print the notes for you--the PDF button is for the free notes. He made his notes free years ago.

 

Hmm, that is a new one for me. Will have to look over it..

[Sherman Xavier]

The 24 Elders are the First 24 Men Created before Adam who sit on their seats before throne.  The First Fruits of men.  

[phkrause]

50 minutes ago, Sherman Xavier said:

The 24 Elders are the First 24 Men Created before Adam who sit on their seats before throne.  The First Fruits of men.  

Can I ask where you get that from? If you're talking about anyone being created before Adam on this planet I don't see that at all!! If you're talking about someone being created before Adam as in someone on a previous world somewhere out there in the Universe I might agree with you there, because in Job it talks about the sons of God getting together. So from that I would gather that these sons of God are representative's from other worlds that didn't sin. So maybe the 24 elders could be one from each of these other worlds?? Anyway just a thought!!

[Asia Joe]

Quote

The 24 elders are the sons of God mentioned in Job--representatives of the unfallen worlds.

But they have crowns. That leads me to believe they are overcomers.  It seems to me God would want overcomers in a leadership role in heaven. 

In the end, it does not really matter. What ever God's plan is, it is perfect. 

[Theophilus]

But we are given crowns as well, even though we will give them back. These elders were there before (rev 4)Jesus returned to Heaven- in Rev 5.They are representatives of unfallen worlds--a place that Adam would have had too, had he not sinned.  This is why Satan appears  at the sons of God meeting--Adam lost his place.

[PersonX]

On 12/19/2025 at 4:46 PM, phkrause said:

Can I ask where you get that from? If you're talking about anyone being created before Adam on this planet I don't see that at all!! If you're talking about someone being created before Adam as in someone on a previous world somewhere out there in the Universe I might agree with you there, because in Job it talks about the sons of God getting together. So from that I would gather that these sons of God are representative's from other worlds that didn't sin. So maybe the 24 elders could be one from each of these other worlds?? Anyway just a thought!!

When I ssid before Adam. I was refering to Rev 4:4 the 24 celestial bodies of men. 

[PersonX]

Just now, PersonX said:

When I said before Adam. I was referring to Rev 4:4 the 24 celestial bodies of men created before the throne.

Lets go directly to the Elders to see what they have to say about what/who they are and where they come from. 

(KJV) Rev. 6: 12 -17 The opening of the 6th seal.  Ch 7: 4-10. 144,000 are sealed and lo a great multitude which no man could number... ( If they could be numbered what body of men would that man come from?) Clothed in white robes....

Verse 11... All the Angels are there, the beast and the Elders.

Verse 13... And one of the Elders answered saying... What are these arrayed in white robes? And Whence came they?

Isn't this the very same question we ask of the Lord concerning the Elders?

Verse 14... Sir, (Used as a respectful way to address a man) thou knowest... So, to John this is a rhetorical question. Not used to gather information but to point out the obvious.

And he said to me... (begining to point out the obvious) answering the second question.

These are they which came out of great tribulation and washed robes in the blood of the Lamb.  Just as the Elders Rev 5:8-10.

Verse 15... Therefore are they before the throne of God.  Just as the four beast and Elders. Rev 4:8-11.

Back to the first of the 2 questions.

What are these which are arrayed in white robes are revealed in Rev Ch 14:1-4.

A Lamb stood on mount Sion with 144,00 singing in front of the 4 beast and the 24 Elders and no man could learn that song (if it could be learned what group of men would that man come from?) but 144,000.  Just as the 4 beast and 24 Elders sing in front of the Lamb Rev 5:9.

These are they which wrere not defiled.... Just as the Elders.

These are they which follow the Lamb.... Just as Elders.

These were redeemed from among men.... The Elders are redeemed from among the heavenly celestial bodies.

Being the First Fruits unto The Lord and The Lamb ... Just as the Elders. Rev 4:4

[PersonX]

On 12/19/2025 at 4:46 PM, phkrause said:

Can I ask where you get that from? If you're talking about anyone being created before Adam on this planet I don't see that at all!! If you're talking about someone being created before Adam as in someone on a previous world somewhere out there in the Universe I might agree with you there, because in Job it talks about the sons of God getting together. So from that I would gather that these sons of God are representative's from other worlds that didn't sin. So maybe the 24 elders could be one from each of these other worlds?? Anyway just a thought!!

If i may ask you a question? Why do you believe/understand the Sons of God mentioned in Job Ch. 1:6 to be from other worlds?.  

[PersonX]

On 12/19/2025 at 4:46 PM, phkrause said:

Can I ask where you get that from? If you're talking about anyone being created before Adam on this planet I don't see that at all!! If you're talking about someone being created before Adam as in someone on a previous world somewhere out there in the Universe I might agree with you there, because in Job it talks about the sons of God getting together. So from that I would gather that these sons of God are representative's from other worlds that didn't sin. So maybe the 24 elders could be one from each of these other worlds?? Anyway just a thought!!

If i may ask you a question? Why do you believe the Sons of God mentioned in Job 1:6 are from other worlds?

[Stan]

If you check out the "Jain" religion, they claim that the world is managed by 24 elders.

It is one of the oldest religions with documentation of that.

They are considered by those who consider things to be the most intellectual groups that have ever existed. uch ofmany of the sciences came from them.

I have found them fascinating.

Stan

[Gustave]

3 hours ago, Stan said:

If you check out the "Jain" religion, they claim that the world is managed by 24 elders.

It is one of the oldest religions with documentation of that.

They are considered by those who consider things to be the most intellectual groups that have ever existed. uch ofmany of the sciences came from them.

I have found them fascinating.

Stan

Agree with you! They are fascinating! 

[Sherman Xavier]

6 hours ago, Stan said:

If you check out the "Jain" religion, they claim that the world is managed by 24 elders.

It is one of the oldest religions with documentation of that.

They are considered by those who consider things to be the most intellectual groups that have ever existed. uch ofmany of the sciences came from them.

I have found them fascinating.

Stan

Hey Stan,

Thanks for the info, i'm going to check it out. 

[PersonX]

12 hours ago, Stan said:

If you check out the "Jain" religion, they claim that the world is managed by 24 elders.

It is one of the oldest religions with documentation of that.

They are considered by those who consider things to be the most intellectual groups that have ever existed. uch ofmany of the sciences came from them.

I have found them fascinating.

Stan

I can see why you're fasinated by it.

[Asia Joe]

I suppose it is possible either way. They could be from the beginning or after Pentecost. 

However, they are mentioned after Pentecost. 

The Adventist view is in the garden of Eden, there was Jesus and the humans. 

God has people he is in direct contact with through the Holy Spirit. There is no need for Elders for these people. 

However, in the Judgment, these Elders may play an important role. 

Why do they have crowns? A Sign of authority. Just as Judges have uniforms today, to signify authority. 

But there is no need for these people to manage/judge the unfallen worlds. 

It is my belief, they were put there to deal with the sin problem from Earth. 

[Asia Joe]

The Bible tells us that the redeemed judge the fallen world. Who better to do that then those who lived on this planet.  But who judges in the judgment of the living?  It makes sense to me that the first fruits, that Jesus took to heaven, will be the judge of those who are risen just before the second coming. Then the redeemed will judge the balance in the 1000 years that follow. 

BTW, according to EGW, before the coming of Jesus, there will be two resurrections.  One for the dead in Christ, and one for those who killed Jesus, so they can see Him coming in glory. 

Who decides which people are in those events? I believe it is the redeemed, first fruits.  AKA 24 elders. 

[hobie]

On 12/5/2025 at 11:37 PM, Joe Knapp said:

I do not believe the 24 Elders are symbolic.  

Based on this, I believe they were from Earth. Overcomers, as Revelation calls it. 

Certainly Enoch and Moses would fit the title. I am inclined to believe others came from the resurrection, and were the first fruits offering. 

 

Well, we have Elijah and Moses...

Matthew 17:3-4

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

 

2 Kings 2:11

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

 

Jude 1:9

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

 

And then Enoch...

 

Genesis 5:24

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

 

And then wave of saints which we have no idea of numbers or names...

 

1. Matthew 27:52-53
   52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

 

 

[Asia Joe]

And if Enoch and Moses are NOT part of the 24 elders, what is their role in Heaven? 

It seems to me that these 24 Elders are part of the investigative judgment. Who better to assist Jesus in this process, but 24 people from the Earth who overcame sin. 

[Kevin H]

On 3/27/2026 at 5:52 AM, Joe Knapp said:

And if Enoch and Moses are NOT part of the 24 elders, what is their role in Heaven? 

It seems to me that these 24 Elders are part of the investigative judgment. Who better to assist Jesus in this process, but 24 people from the Earth who overcame sin. 

Once again, I find the evidence presented at Atlantic Union College and The Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies that they are the testimony of the 12 tribes and 12 apostles telling the truth about Jesus in contrast to the 24 Sadducee Priests, members of the Sanhedrin (A Greek word, in Aramaic the word means "Elders") that inquired and brought Jesus to Pilate and cried "crucify him" when their job should have been to tell the truth about Jesus, but they told lies about him. Or that the 24 Elders are the testimony of scripture where Heaven directly communicates with us over history. 

Jesus does not need assistance in the investigative judgment. Jesus is simply, on the heavenly side, reviewing with the angels and unfallen worlds the lives of people who in what ever way claimed to have accepted God; and looks at the two questions as to whether or not they truly accepted the Lord into their lives, and if they did, what difference does it make? This helps the unfallen understand their own salvation better. And on the earthly side, we are living in an age where more and more discoveries are made to allow us to study the Bible in a deeper way then ever before. As we learn more about the Bible, we can learn more about the God of the Bible, and as we behold Him we become changed. 

[hobie]

Here is SOP on this subject...

“VERSE 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 show thee things which must be hereafter.” 

In the first three chapters, John presents the vision he had of the Son of man, comprising a description of his majestic person, and a record of the words which, with a voice as the sound of many waters, he was heard to utter. A new scene and a new vision now open before us; and the expression “after this” does not denote that what is recorded in chapter 4 and onward was to take place after the fulfilment of everything recorded in the three preceding chapters, but only that after he had seen and heard what is there recorded, he had the new view which he now introduces. 

A Door Was Opened in Heaven. - Let it be noticed that John says, “A door was opened in heaven.” not into heaven. It was not an opening of heaven itself before the mind of John, as in the case of Stephen (Acts 7:56); but some place, or apartment, in heaven was opened before him, and he was permitted to behold what was transpiring within. That this apartment which John saw open was the heavenly sanctuary, will plainly appear from other portions of the book. 

Things Which Must Be Hereafter. - Compare with this chapter 1:1. The great object of the Revelation seems to be the presentation of future events, for the purpose of informing, edifying, and comforting the church. 

“VERSE 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.” 

In the Spirit. - Once before in this book we have had this expression; namely, in chapter 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,” where it was taken to express the fact that John had a vision upon the Sabbath, or Lord’s day. If it there expressed the state of being in vision, it would denote the same thing here; and consequently the first vision ended with chapter 3, and a new one is here introduced. Nor is it any objection to this view that John, previous to this, as is learned from the first verses of this chapter, was in such a spiritual state as to be able to look up and see a door opened in heaven, and to hear a voice, like the mighty sound of a trumpet, calling him up to a nearer prospect of heavenly things. It is evident that there may be such states of ecstasy independent of vision, just as Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost, could look up and see the heavens opened, and the Son of man on the right hand of God. To be in the Spirit denotes a still higher state of spiritual elevation. On what day this vision was given, we are not informed. 

Being again fully wrapped in heavenly vision, the first object which he beholds is a throne set in heaven, and the Divine Being seated thereon. The description of the appearance of this personage, clothed in the mingled colors of the jasper, frequently a purple, and the blood-red sardine stone, is such as at once to suggest to the mind a monarch vested with his royal robes. And round about the throne there was a rainbow, both adding to the grandeur of the scene, and reminding us that though he who sits upon the throne is an almighty and absolute ruler, he is nevertheless the covenant-keeping God. 

The Four and Twenty Elders. - The question once proposed to John concerning a certain company, has frequently arisen concerning these four and twenty elders: “Who are these? and whence came they?” It will be observed that they are clothed in white raiment, and have on their heads crowns of gold, which are tokens both of a conflict completed and a victory gained. From this we conclude that they were once participants in the Christian warfare, once trod, in common with all saints, this earthly pilgrimage, but have overcome; and for some good purpose, in advance of the great multitude of the redeemed, are wearing their victor crowns in the heavenly world. Indeed, they plainly tell us as much as this in the song of praise which they, in connection with the four living beings, ascribe to the Lamb, in the 9th verse of the following chapter: “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” This song is sung before any of the events in the prophecy of the seven seals transpire; for it is sung to set forth the worthiness of the Lamb to take the book and to open the seals, on the ground of what he had already accomplished, which was their redemption. It is not, therefore, thrown in here by anticipation, having its application in the future; but it expresses an absolute and finished fact in the history of those who sang it. These, then, were a class of redeemed persons, - redeemed from this earth, redeemed as all others must be redeemed, by the precious blood of Christ. 

Do we in any other place read of such a class of redeemed ones? - We think Paul refers to the same company when he writes to the Ephesians thus: “Wherefore he saith, When he [Christ] ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” The marginal reading is, he led a “multitude of captives.” Ephesians 4:8. Going back to the events that occurred in connection with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, we read: “And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” Matthew 27:52, 53. Thus the answer to our question comes back, gathered unmistakably from the sacred page. These are some of those who came out of their graves at the resurrection of Christ, and who were numbered with the illustrious multitude which he led up from the captivity of Death’s dark domain when he ascended in triumph on high. Matthew records their resurrection, Paul their ascension, and John beholds them in heaven, performing the sacred duties which they were raised up to accomplish. 

In this view we are not alone. Wesley speaks as follows concerning the four and twenty elders: “‘Clothed in white raiment.’ This, and their golden crowns, show that they had already finished their course, and taken their places among the citizens of heaven. They are never termed souls, and hence it is probable that they had glorified bodies already. Compare Matthew 27:52.” 

The particular attention of the reader is asked to the fact that the four and twenty elders are said to be seated on thrones. Our translation, it is true, reads “seats;” but the Greek is, “thrones;” and so the Revised Version reads: “And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones, and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting.” This passage, consequently, throws light on the expression found in Daniel 7:9, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down.” These are the same thrones; and, as has been shown in comments upon that passage, the meaning is not that the thrones were overturned, or cast down, in the ordinary sense of that expression, but placed, or established; and the figure is taken from the Eastern custom of casting down, or placing, mats or divans for distinguished guests to sit upon. These four and twenty elders (see on chapter 5) are supposed to be assistants of Christ in his mediatorial work in the sanctuary on high: and when the judgment scene described in Daniel 7:9 commenced in the most holy place, their seats, or thrones, would be set, or placed, there, according to the testimony of that passage. 

The Seven Lamps of Fire. - In these lamps of fire we have an appropriate antitype of the golden candlestick of the typical sanctuary, with its seven ever-burning lamps. This candlestick was placed, by divine direction, in the first apartment of the earthly sanctuary. Exodus 25:31, 32, 37; 26:35; 27:20; etc. And now when John tells us that a door was opened in heaven, and in the apartment thus disclosed to view he sees the antitype of the candlestick of the earthly sanctuary, it is good proof that he is looking into the first apartment of the sanctuary above. 

“VERSE 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 honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth forever and ever, 10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” 

The Sea of Glass. - Not composed of glass, but a broad expanse resembling glass; that is, says Greenfield, transparent, brilliant. This idea is further carried out by its being likened to crystal, which is defined to mean “anything concrete and pellucid, like ice or glass.” The position of this sea is such as to show that it bears no analogy to the laver of the ancient typical service. 

It may extend under, and be the foundation of, the throne, and even further, of the city itself. It is again brought to view in chapter 15:2, as the place where the overcomers, in the ecstatic joy of final victory, will soon stand. ...." ...Daniel and The Revelation — Ellen G. White Writings

[Asia Joe]

12 hours ago, hobie said:

The Four and Twenty Elders. - The question once proposed to John concerning a certain company, has frequently arisen concerning these four and twenty elders: “Who are these? and whence came they?” It will be observed that they are clothed in white raiment, and have on their heads crowns of gold, which are tokens both of a conflict completed and a victory gained. From this we conclude that they were once participants in the Christian warfare, once trod, in common with all saints, this earthly pilgrimage, but have overcome; and for some good purpose, in advance of the great multitude of the redeemed, are wearing their victor crowns in the heavenly world. Indeed, they plainly tell us as much as this in the song of praise which they, in connection with the four living beings, ascribe to the Lamb, in the 9th verse of the following chapter:

Wow, this is great.  Thank you for the reference.  I will print it and keep it. 

I did not know there was a mobile version of that website. I like it better even on the desktop.