24 Elders seated around the throne, who are they ?

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Oblio

Guest
#21
In Revelation 4:4 John speaks of 24 Elders seated around the Throne of God, clothed in white raiment and on their heads crowns of gold. Its been said that 12 of them are most likely the apostles that were with Christ during His ministry on Earth and that 12 are the heads or fathers of each of the 12 tribes of Israel ( the 12 sons of Jacob ). This appears to make sense since in Revelation 21:12 it mentions that the names of the 12 tribes of the children is Israel are written on the gates of the city of New Jerusalem and that the city had 12 foundations on which were the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb ( Rev. 21:14 ) . Comments ?
12 tribe heads, 12 apostles of Christ...I'll accept that.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#22
24 Elders seated around the throne, who are they ?
They are 24 elders who have passed on, and were selected for proximity to the throne of God because they fulfilled their duties and responsibilities faithfully, and according to the wishes of God and Christ.
 
Jul 24, 2021
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#23
In Revelation 4:4 John speaks of 24 Elders seated around the Throne of God, clothed in white raiment and on their heads crowns of gold. Its been said that 12 of them are most likely the apostles that were with Christ during His ministry on Earth and that 12 are the heads or fathers of each of the 12 tribes of Israel ( the 12 sons of Jacob ). This appears to make sense since in Revelation 21:12 it mentions that the names of the 12 tribes of the children is Israel are written on the gates of the city of New Jerusalem and that the city had 12 foundations on which were the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb ( Rev. 21:14 ) . Comments ?
They are the heavenly equivalent of the 24 ranks of the cultic priesthood. The 24 ranks in the earthly temple does all the cleaning and servicing. 1 Chronicles 24
 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
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#24
Who they are is less important than what they are doing. Their role, their function.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#25
I think we might have to consider these 24 elders aren't human nor were born or died. God has made living "things" that aren't human but serve him.
We can?

Rev 5:
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”


no we can not even contemplate what you said to be in fact a possibility. God did not redeem made up people. he redeemed born sinners.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#26
I would say all we can do is speculate. Again, as with all prophecy, we will know as a fact after the event occures.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
12,170
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#27
In Revelation 4:4 John speaks of 24 Elders seated around the Throne of God, clothed in white raiment and on their heads crowns of gold. Its been said that 12 of them are most likely the apostles that were with Christ during His ministry on Earth and that 12 are the heads or fathers of each of the 12 tribes of Israel ( the 12 sons of Jacob ). This appears to make sense since in Revelation 21:12 it mentions that the names of the 12 tribes of the children is Israel are written on the gates of the city of New Jerusalem and that the city had 12 foundations on which were the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb ( Rev. 21:14 ) . Comments ?

FYI the 24 Elders are the 24 Elders.
 
Jul 24, 2021
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#28
Who they are is less important than what they are doing. Their role, their function.
What their role and function is who they are.

The earthly priests are
1) firstborn of the Levi tribes - property of God
2) the work day and night to maintain the temple, that includes the oblations.
3) the Levi tribe was chosen because they killed their kinfolk at the golden calf incident with Moses. Examples of obedience.

"Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" . They maintain the Heavenly temple and are the most loyal of the Host.
 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
9,261
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#29
What their role and function is who they are.

The earthly priests are
1) firstborn of the Levi tribes - property of God
2) the work day and night to maintain the temple, that includes the oblations.
3) the Levi tribe was chosen because they killed their kinfolk at the golden calf incident with Moses. Examples of obedience.

"Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" . They maintain the Heavenly temple and are the most loyal of the Host.
Yes. We are seeing an appointed order of ministers in the inner tabernacle of heaven. There is order in heaven.

There is a paralell of special service in the inner sanctuaries.
24 appointed priests commanded by God for the temple on Earth.
24 Elders representing all nations serve at the throne room in Heaven. -



1 Chr 24:19
"This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the Lord, according to the regulations
prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him"


Rev 4:4
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.
They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#30
Are they jew? Gentile? Or both?
 
Jul 24, 2021
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#32
Are they jew? Gentile? Or both?
Neither. Heaven was created before the Israel before gentiles. Also, the vision is of the Lamb entering Heaven to the right hand of the Throne. Jesus is the Father of Eternity, First to be resurrected.

They are angelic.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
11,729
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#33
[
Yes. We are seeing an appointed order of ministers in the inner tabernacle of heaven. There is order in heaven.

There is a paralell of special service in the inner sanctuaries.
24 appointed priests commanded by God for the temple on Earth.
24 Elders representing all nations serve at the throne room in Heaven. -



1 Chr 24:19
"This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the Lord, according to the regulations
prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him"


Rev 4:4
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.
They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
amen the law gives us the earthly pattern to understand what’s happening in revelation

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

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.

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8:1-2, 4-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the earthly things given to Moses from priesthood to word is a pattern of thkngs in the heavens that we can’t see and know without looking at Christ and the gospel
 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
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#34
I don't think they are angels.
Rev 7:9-11, a distinction is made between the angels, elders and the multitude of redeemed.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
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#35
I think I asked this question before and nobody really knew

I am leaning toward it being the patriarchs (Jacobs 12 sons) and Jesus 12 apostles.

Though Moses would probably be who I consider an elder. And Elijah...or those mentioned in Hebrews 11
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#36
I think I asked this question before and nobody really knew

I am leaning toward it being the patriarchs (Jacobs 12 sons) and Jesus 12 apostles.

Though Moses would probably be who I consider an elder. And Elijah...or those mentioned in Hebrews 11
I’d say you are leaning in the correct direction
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#37
Neither. Heaven was created before the Israel before gentiles. Also, the vision is of the Lamb entering Heaven to the right hand of the Throne. Jesus is the Father of Eternity, First to be resurrected.

They are angelic.
When did angels have to be redeemed by the blood?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
12,170
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#38
I think I asked this question before and nobody really knew

I am leaning toward it being the patriarchs (Jacobs 12 sons) and Jesus 12 apostles.

Though Moses would probably be who I consider an elder. And Elijah...or those mentioned in Hebrews 11
no body knows because the word of God doesn't say does it. We can only speculate as you are doing :).
 

Yahshua

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2013
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#39
What's interesting is the number 24 harkens back to the priestly course under King David in 1 Chronicles 24.

The twenty-four were Levitical priesthood ministering in the temple, so the fulfillment of this after Messiah would be the Melchisedec priesthood (as the Revelation scene shows them with crowns). The elders are also in the holiest place (the throne) worshiping so this confirms they're priest-kings. As others have said, the Revelation passage then explains that they are part of the redeemed so they are people.


Matthew 19:27-28
27“Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”

28Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things,g when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.



...So it would seem that at least 12 are known (minus Judas and Matthias...I think Paul truly replaced him since it's Messiah who personally selects His Apostles, not lots).

If we stick to the pattern established in the OT with the 12 tribal heads under 1 King (the Living God), confirmed with the Messiah's ministry of 12 disciples under 1 King (the living God), then I believe the remaining 12 are being (or will be) formed during "the second work" of actually taking away sin from the world during the Millenium reign (when the Son of Man comes as Conquering King to break the nations).
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#40
let’s see the role the 24 elders play and connections scripture makes so first we see a glimpse of them sitting on thrones and start learning what things they do and that they act in correlation to the four beasts words ….

“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.

…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.

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 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, 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 ‭4:4, 8-11‭KJV‬‬

then we see again thier connection to the kingdom Jesus preached about Where he was given all power and judgement by God the father we see a problem for mankind arrive there’s no man worthy to open this book and read it we see the elders begin to act again as Christ is given the kingdom

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 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.

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;

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:1, 3-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

still it seems as the beasts act the elders always respond in an order of things as someone was saying in another post everything is connected. In chapter four everyone’s worshipping God but then the Christ appears having been slain and fulfilled scripture and is appearing in heaven alive and receiving his eternal
Kingdom. Now as Gods plan has progressed everyone begins singing a new song ( New Testament ) because now Christ was revealed as The worthy one to give man judgement

later we learn that when the seventh angel sounds Gods mystery given to the prophets would be fulfilled

“But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭10:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

this mystery is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the good news of his kingdom of eternal life.

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 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 ‭11:15-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It seems like Godsnkjngdom in heaven is fully set up and as we pass away we’re going to open our eyes to The spiritual reality of what we’re being told about and enter the judgement in remission of sins , or bearing our sins depending on our response to Christ and the gospel and so at least twelve are reletively clear

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:28‬ ‭

“And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And the Lord said,

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:29-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I would only surmise and venture a guess out the o Thyroid twelve on the other twelve thrones because the other twelve names in heaven that are written in heaven and attended by angels are the twelve tribes of Israel named for the twelve sins of Jacob who is himself israel .
Sorry for the length but if you follow through the book of revelation and find all that’s said of The elders and then consider prophecy and the gospel there’s a lot of info even another witness of these things long before from another distant angle

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven,

and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him:

his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

…..And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7:13-14, 27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:34‬ ‭

we should understand the New Testament through the ideas of Gods kingdom