However, there is no verse in revelation that tells us plainly who they are. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. In revelation 5 we hear of the twentyfour elders again. And upon the seats i saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment. This page, the first in a series of four, will begin to explore the identity of. And i saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on. The number twelve is often used in the bible to signify perfection of governance. One variation of these views is that the use of twenty four elders may come from 1 chronicles 24. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices. The text should probably read, when he took the book. The twenty four elders whom john sees sitting 1720 on the twenty four thrones standing about the throne of god 1721 are, in like manner, the heavenly representatives of the entire people of god.
The twentyfour elders, who here fall down to worship god, have previously appeared seven times in the book of revelation in a similar context. Verse 10 explicitly says that the resurrected saints will reign on earth. When the lamb had taken the scroll of gods judgment into his own hand, the four living creatures and. They are on thrones surrounding the fathers thrones 3. Twenty four elders appear in the book of revelation 4. The 24 elders first appear in revelation 4 and are described as sitting around the throne in heaven. In revelation 4, a door in heaven is opened, so that john can have a look at heaven. The book of revelation makes several references to a group called the twentyfour elders rev 4. Revelation 4 new international version niv the throne in heaven. Along with the twentyfour elders, they praise god unceasingly in humble adoration rev 4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats.
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever. If so, this kingdom of priests represents the church that dwells in heaven with the lord during the tribulation period. The twentyfour 24 elders in revelation who are they. Each 2 of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints. They were 2 dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns 3 on their heads niv. Before the elders catch johns eye, he noticed the twenty four thrones they sat on. Twentyfour elders appear in the book of revelation 4. Continuing his vision of heaven, john saw twentyfour elders seated on twentyfour thrones. The second clue about the 24 elders is that there were 24. Universal creation is represented by the four living creatures rev 4. 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.
Wheaton, illinois and round about the throne were four and twenty seats. The twentyfour elders whom john sees sitting 1720 on the twentyfour thrones standing about the throne of god 1721 are, in like manner, the heavenly representatives of the entire people of god. Oct 01, 20 the specific names of each of the twenty four elders of revelation 1 are as follows. When the lamb had taken the scroll of gods judgment into his own hand, the four living creatures and the twentyfour elders fell down before the lamb. Revelation 4, english standard version 2016 esv the bible app. Revelation 4, english standard version 2016 esv bible. This is significant in that there were 12 tribes of israel and 12 apostles. Upon the seats i saw four and twenty elders sitting.
In a similar way the twenty four elders mentioned in the book of revelation may be regarded as a representative body. When these priests met together, even though there were only twenty four, they represented the whole priesthood and at the same time the whole of the nation of israel. Around the throne were twenty four thrones, and on the thrones i say twenty four elders sitting, clothed in white robes. The second clue is found in the number of elders and their role in laying the foundations of the old and new. Here they give thanks to god as the eternal one which art, and wast, and art to come, because he has manifested his power and assumed authority over the earth. Around the throne were twentyfour thrones, and on the thrones i say twentyfour elders sitting, clothed in white robes. The twentyfour elders of revelation are a priestly order of angels which served as a pattern for the priestly rotation who ministered in solomons temple. When he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of god sent out into all the earth. Saint john described the scene, before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal.
In a similar way the twentyfour elders mentioned in the book of revelation may be regarded as a representative body. Later we will hear their song of worship revelation 4. The phrase after this meta tauta in ancient greek in revelation 1. These twenty four elders sit on lesser thrones, around the throne. The word translated crown here refers to the victors crown, worn by those who have successfully competed and won the victory, as christ promised revelation 2.
When these priests met together, even though there were only twentyfour, they represented the whole priesthood and at the same time the whole of the nation of israel. They were 2 dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns 3 on their heads. Their identity is not given directly but much can be learned by the clues provided. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. An important interpretative issue in the book of revelation revolves around the identity of the 24 elders. Revelation 4 niv the throne in heaven bible gateway. One of the elders comforts john explaining that jesus has prevailed to loose the sevensealed scroll rev.
Surrounding the throne were twentyfour other thrones, and seated on them were twentyfour elders. And the voice i had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, come up here, and i will show you what must take place after this. This verse tells us how the twentyfour elders who sit on thrones in front of god respond to the declaration that christ will reign forever and ever. The book of revelation nowhere specifically identifies who the twentyfour elders are. Revelation 5 new international version niv biblica. The ancients viewed heaven as a solid vault, entered by way of actual doors. The scene in revelation 5 is johns vision of heavens throne room. Who the 24 elders represent can be very important in. What are the prayers of the saints in revelation 5. The throne of god and the 24 elders bible explained. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twentyfour elders fell down before the lamb.
However, they are most likely representative of the. There are three clues that the bible gives about the identity of the elders. And the first voice which i had heard, like the sound of a war trumpet speaking with me, said, come up here, and i will show you what must take place after these things. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, the ministers of the gospel begin the worship of god, and lead in it, who are the four living creatures. Around the throne were twentyfour thrones, and seated on the thrones were twentyfour elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads revelation 4.
Some people believe these twentyfour elders represent israel, but at the time of this vision, israel as a whole nation had not yet been redeemed. We know that the twentyfour elders are not redeemed human beings because no man except jesus christ has ascended to heaven where gods throne is. Revelation 4 bible commentary john gills exposition of. The four and twenty elders are the representatives of the universal church see on ver. The reference to the 24 elders in the book of revelation can be first found in revelation 4. The first clue is found in the apparel worn by the elders. The central throne was encompassed by twentyfour lesser thrones. This list is simply the combination of the hebrew patriarchs rev. There are seven references in revelation to this group and what they are doing. Examples include twelve months in a year, twelve hours in a day. Study guide for revelation 4 by david guzik blue letter bible. Revelation 4 new international version niv biblica. Around the throne were twentyfour thrones, and seated on the thrones were twentyfour elders, clothed in white garments, with.
Apr, 2018 in revelation 4, a door in heaven is opened, so that john can have a look at heaven. The bible does not specifically provide the identity of these elders. In 1 a circle around the throne were twentyfour other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twentyfour elders. Around the throne were twentyfour thrones, and on the thrones sat twentyfour elders dressed in white clothes, with golden crowns on their heads. Around the throne were twentyfour thrones, and seated on the thrones were twentyfour elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. The twentyfour elders, who were seated before god on their thrones, fell facedown and worshiped god. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say. One variation of these views is that the use of twentyfour elders may come from 1 chronicles 24. The specific names of each of the twentyfour elders of revelation 1 are as follows.