The twentyfour elders are not literal people, they represent something. David aune sorts commentators into these two categories. Based on these descriptions, these twentyfour elders represent those who worship the lord. There are three clues that the bible gives about the identity of the elders. I dont know that anyone can tell you with certainty exactly what or who the 24 elders represent, but i will try to give you a reasonable explanation of them. So, the 24 elders represents the 144,000 in their glorious heavenly position. A very common interpretation is that the 24 elders are the people or some of the people who were resurrected after jesus and taken to heaven with him. The whole priesthood of old was represented by 24 elders 1chr. More specifically, they may either represent 1 the church, 2 representatives of israel, or 3 the twelve patriarchs and twelve apostles matthew 19. This depiction supports a pretrib rapture because from a chronological perspective of. Jan 02, 2020 who are the four living creatures in revelation. There are many different answers and voices from many socalled biblical and christian scholars seeking to interpret the identity of these 24 elders standing before almighty god in the very throne room of heaven, as described in the book of revelation. The reference to the 24 elders in the book of revelation can be first found in revelation 4. Since the 24 elders of revelation represent the church in heaven, this means that the church the body of christ and his brideis complete, since she has received her rewards i.
The book of revelation nowhere specifically identifies who the twentyfour. However, they are most likely representative of the church. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats. Can you tell me who or what the 24 elders in revelation represent. The book of revelation does not tell us distinctly who these 24 elders are, but in chapter 21 we learn about the 12 tribes of israel the names of the patriarchs and the twelve apostles. The book of revelation makes several references to a group called the twentyfour elders rev 4. The 24 elders in revelation what do the scriptures say. The 24 elders are mentioned five times in the book of revelation as follows. First, these twentyfour elders are described as human, male elders. 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 vi. Christ, is known as the son of man,meaning thehuman flesh and blood body manifestation man of god. The bible does not specifically provide the identity of these elders. Nov 19, 2015 who are the twentyfour elders from the book of revelation, chapters 4,5,7,11. The book of revelation nowhere specifically identifies who the twentyfour elders are.
Are the four living creatures angels, or cherubim, or seraphim, or something else. On the one hand he says they do not represent the church, but in the same sentence affirms the false idea that this proves the rapture occurs before the tribulation. Yet the 24 elders of revelation have very specific features. 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.
The twentyfour elders, then, are a part of the created heavenly host, that is, angels of high rank and honor. Most of the book of revelation, often contrary to popular belief, actually deals with israel. I talked about the issue of the identify of the 24 elders in revelation 45. Revelation of the 24 elders part 1 by leo tavares the book of revelation, the last book of the bible, is the most mathematical book of the bible at its surface text. Friday, may 11, 2012 who are the 24 elders of revelation.
Who are the twenty four elders in the book of revelation. Divine council 24 elders k emilio revelation studies biblical patterning an interpretive tool to identify the twentyfour elders of revelation around the throne were twenty four thrones, and on the thrones i saw twentyfour elders sitting clothed in white robes and they had crowns of gold on their heads rev. I received this emailed question about the 24 elders recently. They are created spirit beings and have been given. Apr, 2018 the 24 elders in revelation 45 are a good testcase for methods of interpretation in this unusual book. Please explain the twentyfour elders standing around the throne of god. This list is simply the combination of the hebrew patriarchs rev. The last words of jesus featuring very special guests dr. May 01, 2019 their song reveals the origins of the 24 elders as coming from all the peoples of the world.
Study the bible online using commentary on revelation 4. Are the 24 elders of revelation past kings of judah and. What is important in this vision is the worship god receives from all of creation. It highlights a mysterious imagery of 24 elders surrounding the throne of god and 4 living creatures at 4 points around the throne. Rather, it is a book of mystical teaching, relating especially to the esoteric experiences of the evolving consciousness. If they are humans, then there are several possibilities to identify who those humans might be. From the text, we can understand the following things about them. Who are the 24 elders mentioned in the book of revelation. Who could possibly be the 24 elders mentioned in revelation 5. The first mention of the 24 elders is in the fourth chapter of revelation. There are seven references in revelation to this group and what they are doing. In most cases, the 24 elders are either angles or humans. This actually provides another clue to the fact that the 24 elders represent the church and not angels. If they represent the church, then it reflects what one would expect if the rapture has occurred before the tribulation has begun.
The identity of that great crowd is revealed to john by one of the 24 elders, and these elders represent the 144,000 joint heirs with christ in their heavenly glory. Rather, it is a book of mystical teaching, relating especially to the. A suggestion that some scholars have made is that there seem to have been twentyfour courses of jewish priests in the first century. Those 24 elders,identified in hebrews 11,by their names and heroic acts, went to heaven as living souls,whilst their dead flesh and blood bodies putrefied in their graves,as at the time they died during the generation of the old testament. Pretribulationism argues that the body of twentyfour elders represent the church and therefore the rapture will happen before the tribulation period. The niv places these creatures in the center, around the throne. It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels. In this segment chuck missler discusses the 24 elders. First, we see the 24 elders who are uniquely honored by sitting on thrones in the very presence of god. There are some who falsely claim that the 24 elders are taken from saved mortals. Who the 24 elders represent can be very important in regards to the pretrib rapture. The twentyfour is the number of the priestly courses as given in 1. The 24 elders are not the people resurrected with jesus.
Revelation of the 24 elders part 1 mathematical monotheism. Henry morris argued the rather unique view that the 24 elders are the 24 ancestors of christ, adam to pharez the revelation record. Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of god. The second clue about the 24 elders is that there were 24. The 4 living creatures and 24 elders are mentioned numerous times in revelation. The book known by the name of the apocalypse, has seemed to be until now unintelligible, merely because people persisted to see in it a real prediction of the future, which every one has explained after his own fashion, and in which they have always found what they wanted, namely anything but that, what the book contained. Around the throne were twentyfour thrones, and on the thrones i say twentyfour elders sitting, clothed in white robes. He wrote, around the throne were twentyfour thrones, and on the thrones i saw twentyfour elders sitting, clothed in white robes. The four living creatures and twentyfour elders in. However, some information is provided that allows us to rule out some possibilities and consider a few options. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. I responded to a couple of their key arguments and showed that they are not very good arguments, including an argument made by some textual variants. The 24 elders are symbolic of the entire 144,000, who are to be corulers with jesus, in jehovah gods heavenly kingdom.
The book of revelation describes a group of people known as the twentyfour elders, who surround the throne of god in heaven and who sing his praises. There really can be 24 elders in heaven if you understand where they came from in an overlooked passage in connection with the day of jesus death. When the apostle john was caught up to heaven, he revealed that gods throne does not stand alone. The 24 elders fall down in front of him who sits upon the throne and worship the living one for the eternity of eternities, amen, and cast their crowns before the throne saying, gods word translation the 24 leaders bow in front of the one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. John, calling himself the elder, had met the 24 elders, and in doing so, presented a great mystery. The sons of god and the 24 elders jesus resurrection. May the grace and peace of the lord be multiplied to you the twentyfour elders are in heaven, before the throne of god and are sitting upon thrones. This erroneous teaching comes from a mistranslation of revelation 5. Revelation 4 and 5 describe the throne room of god in heaven and its activities. I t is most important to realize that the book of revelation is purely spiritual symbolism and not prophecy at all. During my study of the book of revelation, i decided to dig deeper into the identity of the 24 elders that are first introduced to john in revelation 4.
But it strikes me that revelation twice identifies a group of 24 highly honored individuals. Divine council 24 elders k emilio revelation studies biblical patterning an interpretive tool to identify the twentyfour elders of revelation around the throne were twenty four thrones, and on the thrones i saw twentyfour elders sitting clothed in white robes and they had crowns of. These clues, along with numerous other references, show us that the 24 elders are former jews and gentiles, prophets and apostles, who are in heaven as. Therefore, there is no biblical precept for spiritualizing the 24 elders as anything but 24 elders. However, they are most likely representative of the. This reflects the difficulty of the syntax of this line in greek. The word elder in the majority of places where it is used in the scriptures means the representative head of a city, family, tribe or nation, so the four and twenty elders are representative of the redeemed human race. The 24 elders are seen throughout revelation as a single group, whoever they represent. The twentyfour 24 elders in revelation who are they. Thomas ice pretrib research center and around the throne were twentyfour thrones. The explanation that follows fails to answer the question, merely explaining that the 144000 are brought from mankind, while the 24 elders are the same group viewed in heaven. According to the watchtower the 24 elders represent the 144,000 as a group. The only other mention of thrones plural in this book are those occupied by saints who.
Like the 24 elders, the four living creatures worship god at his throne rev 4. A mere 24 individuals could not be the same as that group as it would include far more than 24 nations etc. Some theorize that the 24 elders could be comprised of the 12 sons of jacob, israels tribal patriarchs, plus the 12 apostles, with the two groups representing gods old and new covenants. There are three key descriptions that are said about them and i believe if we take a look at all three we can narrow the field down to one group, which represent the church of jesus christ. Later, we see 24 individuals uniquely honored by having their names inscribed on the gates and foundation stones of the eternal kingdom of god. Around the throne were twentyfour thrones, and on the thrones i saw twentyfour elders sitting, clothed in white robes. One of the 24 elders is called upon, instead of an angel that normally explains things in revelation, because they are the only ones within gods throneroom that has personally experienced salvation.
In his commentary on the book of revelation larkin states the the 24 elders are the 12 sons of israel and the 12 apostles. The focus of the book of revelation turns from looking at the church in the first three chapters, to looking at the heavenly scene, beginning in chapter four. In the process, you will learn something about the three planned mass resurrections of the righteous. Twentyfour elders appear in the book of revelation 4. Many christian churchs do not answer this question.
Why are they still called the 24 elders in verse 4. Also, angels are never portrayed as wearing crowns. The figure 24 is probably taken from 1 chronicles 1chr. Revelation 21 does not use the number 24 and is not a reference to the 24 elders. Here is the link to make a donation to faithful word baptist church donat. Mar 11, 2018 during my study of the book of revelation, i decided to dig deeper into the identity of the 24 elders that are first introduced to john in revelation 4. Our group agrees that the answer provided is biblically sound and those who would like an answer to this question, can find one here. The number 24 is used in the old testament in a similar way that we see its use in revelation. Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads. The first clue is found in the apparel worn by the elders. Their identity is not given directly but much can be learned by the clues provided. Since the church is a kingdom of priests, these 24 elders represent the church. The book of revelation often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book.
It could mean they are simply in the immediate vicinity of. The revelation climax book tries to cover this with the question why is it that these overcomers yuchh. I will be presenting my thoughts on who i believe the elders represent based on scripture mainly in the book of revelation. The sons of god are mentioned a number of times in scripture and would not seem to relate to the 24 elders of revelation 5 but, on this page, we will explore the possibility that the 24 elders are among this group. Since the church is a kingdom of priests, these 24 elders represent the church as a whole.
This is significant in that there were 12 tribes of israel and 12 apostles. The 24 elders first appear in revelation 4 and are described as sitting around the throne in heaven. First, they are not jews exclusively because they were redeemed from every nation and tongue. One of the most misinterpreted passages found in the holy scripture relates to the question.
In addition to this thesis that does well in surviving occams razor, the book of revelation provides sufficient evidence in interpreting. Alan talks about the 24 elders seen in chapter 4 of the book of revelation. We have written a short paper on who the 24 elders are in the book of revelation. Around gods throne are four cherubim, twentyfour elders, and one hundred million angels. In revelation 4, a door in heaven is opened, so that john can have a look at. They also were not jews because jews had to be kings tribe of judah, line of david or priests tribe of levi, line of aaron and definitely not both. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
Do the 24 elders in the book of revelation represent the. Their song certainly proves the 24 elders are not angels, for these elders needed to be redeemed by christs shed blood, and there is no redemption for angels. The twentyfour elders of revelation listed by name. Rather, it is situated at the center of a circle of lesser. Who are the 24 elders and why are they wearing golden crowns and dressed in white robes.