The Four and Twenty Elders

2023-05-02

Around the throne of God there are 24 elders. They are described in this way: “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 4:4).

These were “clothed in white raiment.” Elsewhere, this signified heavenly clothing. The church in Laodicea was challenged to get this type of clothing so “that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear” (Revelation 3:18). Those who believe and are saved shall receive these clothes (Revelation 3:5; 7:9). Those slain during tribulation receive white robes (Revelation 6:11; 7:13-14). Our Lord wore white raiment during His transfiguration.

They also had victor’s crowns on, but these were gold. They overcame, but also had authority.

When the beasts around the throne praise God, they fall down on their faces to worship, throwing down their crowns. They say, “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 4:11). By throwing down their crowns, they were admitting that God was the only one worthy to wear them.

These are also described this way: “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” (Revelation 5:8). They have harps, so they play music at the presence of the Lamb, and they offer up prayers in the form of vials of incense.

They sing a “new song” (or praise to God). In this praise, they say they were made kings and priests to reign on the earth. So while they are in heaven now, they will be on the earth in the future. They praise God for redeeming people from every tribal group in the world. Since there are only 24 of them, this song may represent the prayers of the saints, which they reiterate before the Lord. Again, the 24 fall down and worship.

At the announcement of the Lord Jesus claiming the kingdom, they fall down on their faces in worship again: “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:17-18).

They fall down again in praise at the fall of Babylon: “And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia” (Revelation 19:4).

In the Old Testament, the significance of the 24 elders is found twice. First, we see there were divisions of the sons of Aaron in this fashion: “Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar” (1 Chronicles 24:5). Twenty-four men are elected.

Again, we see there were lots cast among 288 “that were instructed in the songs of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 25:7). Twenty-four men and their families were chosen.

If there is any correlation with the elders and these groups in the Old Testament, they are ones who have authority in the Temple sanctuary who also praise God without ceasing. We see parallels with both groups.