Who are the twenty four elders of Revelation?

[Reddogs]

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.

 

[SonJudgment]

Best guess is the 12 Apostles of Jesus and the 12 Patriarchs of Israel. Later in the prophecy it's detailed how their names are written over the gates of the New Jerusalem thus drawing a logical connection with the 24 Elders.

Revelation 21:12-14

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 

[homwardbound]

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.

I see one body, many parts. That make up one body 1 Cor 12-14

I noticed
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.

I see more than just twenty four
I see all people in their first birth of flesh nature, doing, having crowns and do god things here on earth Psalm 82, yet some, are stubborn and want to be leaders, that's not well for my Soul

Those, Twenty four John saw Cast their crowns down. giving God all preeminence
Now I see to do the same, at least from the view given me with the vail torn in two by Son for us to be new and love all in the same mercy and truth he did first
Next, THANK YOU Lord Psalm 103:12, Psalm 100:4, Ezekiel 36:26 I asked and trust God who gave and gives
Time to rest in continued trust to God, even whenever in troubles as well, you think? Hebrews 4:9-13, Galatians 6:7-9
Hebrews 5:12- Chapter 6

 

[Lifted_by_the_word]

In the OT,Moses,Aaron,Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of the Israelites went up Mount Sinai and saw God.There's always a symbolic reference to a remnant in scripture and the ones who went up the Mountain and saw God were set aside as a remnant.
This is symbolic of the verse of how Jesus wishes he could gather his people like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
The OT Israelites as a whole were a remnant of God's greater plan for the world which he fulfilled on the cross,Those who want to believe so badly that the modern state of Israel is prophecy being fulfilled will use the excuse that those who disagree with them are using replacement theology in their interpretation,which isn't true.The Church is the fulfillment of God's plan.
Israel didn't hold up their end in the promise given by God and they were exiled.But God always had a remnant.

Isaiah 1:9
Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Sodom and Gomorrah were utterly destroyed and not even a remnant of it was left.God always had a faithful remnant who kept their end of the covenant,and their inheritance is the Holy Spirit.

Why am I saying this?.Cause only a remnant saw Jesus on Mount Sinai.And in scripture only those who believe in Jesus and keep his commandments will see his face.There is nothing new under the sun.

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

John 14:7-16
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

What happen afterwards on Mount Sinai?The Whole of Israel was given the 10 commandments,which was only possible because God had set aside a remnant.

Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Romans 9:27
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.

 

[GWH]

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.

I notice that your question happens to coincide with what I said in post #145 on How do angels jibe with the HS, which was:

Following Cam's advice to look at David Chilton's "Days of Vengeance", beginning with the discussion of Rev. 4 on page 151,
he states that the 24 elders (a term mentioned 12 times in Rev.) reflect the OT 24 divisions of priests in 1Chron. 24, and their
crowns indicate reigning with Christ in the Melchizedek priesthood (cf. Heb. 7:1-2).

Hope this helps.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

What happen afterwards on Mount Sinai?The Whole of Israel was given the 10 commandments,which was only possible because God had set aside a remnant.

The 10 commandments were given before the covenant meal with the 70 elders on Mt Sinai

 

[Lifted_by_the_word]

The 10 commandments were given before the covenant meal with the 70 elders on Mt Sinai

Sorry I'll have to look at that again.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Sorry I'll have to look at that again.

Esay mistake to make. The only reason I know is because I recently told somebody something wrong about that situation and had to go back and look closely. It's hard to keep all of that stuff together

 

[Slimsumo]

Best guess is the 12 Apostles of Jesus and the 12 Patriarchs of Israel. Later in the prophecy it's detailed how their names are written over the gates of the New Jerusalem thus drawing a logical connection with the 24 Elders.

Revelation 21:12-14

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Counter point: Why would John see himself as one of the 24 and not mention it?

1 Chronicles 24:1-19 (24 Levite
Divisions of the Priests)

 

[SonJudgment]

Counter point: Why would John see himself as one of the 24 and not mention it?

1 Chronicles 24:1-19 (24 Levite
Divisions of the Priests)

One notices by John's style of writing in the Gospel of John, he kinda plays coy with his own identity as the "disciple whom Jesus loved" and doesn't really identify himself until the end of the Gospel. Though to the idea of your counter-point the best counter-point is the 24 Elders aren't explicitly named nor explicitly linked to the 12 Patriarchs and 12 Apostles whose names are written on the gates and foundations of the New Jerusalem, but it is more of a implicit point. The premise of the implicit point is the numbers match, 24, and then in tandem with the physical structure of a wall and gate the Patriarchs and Apostles are also metaphysically the gate and foundation of the religion as well. An Elder after all is a type of leader, generally the oldest and a leader via advice and structual authority, thus the Patriarchs and Apostles have a strong claimancy to this title being the origin points of the race of Israel, and the 12 apostles being the chief structure directly associated with Jesus and that formed the basis of Christianity after the Gospel account and events.

 

[Lifted_by_the_word]

Esay mistake to make. The only reason I know is because I recently told somebody something wrong about that situation and had to go back and look closely. It's hard to keep all of that stuff together

I feel like those who saw God on the mountain isn't talked about much.

 

[homwardbound]

In the OT,Moses,Aaron,Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of the Israelites went up Mount Sinai and saw God.There's always a symbolic reference to a remnant in scripture and the ones who went up the Mountain and saw God were set aside as a remnant.
This is symbolic of the verse of how Jesus wishes he could gather his people like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
The OT Israelites as a whole were a remnant of God's greater plan for the world which he fulfilled on the cross,Those who want to believe so badly that the modern state of Israel is prophecy being fulfilled will use the excuse that those who disagree with them are using replacement theology in their interpretation,which isn't true.The Church is the fulfillment of God's plan.
Israel didn't hold up their end in the promise given by God and they were exiled.But God always had a remnant.

Isaiah 1:9
Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Sodom and Gomorrah were utterly destroyed and not even a remnant of it was left.God always had a faithful remnant who kept their end of the covenant,and their inheritance is the Holy Spirit.

Why am I saying this?.Cause only a remnant saw Jesus on Mount Sinai.And in scripture only those who believe in Jesus and keep his commandments will see his face.There is nothing new under the sun.

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

John 14:7-16
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

What happen afterwards on Mount Sinai?The Whole of Israel was given the 10 commandments,which was only possible because God had set aside a remnant.

Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Romans 9:27
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.

Thank you for sharing, helpful to me in my walk, where Father and Son as Won (One) get all the credit. not me, or others.
Phil 3:1-20

 

[Reddogs]

I notice that your question happens to coincide with what I said in post #145 on How do angels jibe with the HS, which was:

Following Cam's advice to look at David Chilton's "Days of Vengeance", beginning with the discussion of Rev. 4 on page 151,
he states that the 24 elders (a term mentioned 12 times in Rev.) reflect the OT 24 divisions of priests in 1Chron. 24, and their
crowns indicate reigning with Christ in the Melchizedek priesthood (cf. Heb. 7:1-2).

Hope this helps.

God does things in good order with a purpose to teach us, as we see in the pattern of the heavenly tabernacle..

Exodus 25:9
According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Exodus 25:40
And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Hebrews 8:5
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

He follows this in the 24 Elders, so it gives us a clear clue.