Identifying The 24 Elders

John knew that priests were appointed to serve in the ancient tabernacle. So he may have been surprised at seeing what he describes next: " And round about the throne there are twenty-four thrones, and upon these thrones I saw seated twenty-four elders dressed in white outer garments, and upon their heads golden crowns." (Revelation 4:4) Yes, instead of priests, there are 24 elders, enthroned and crowned like kings. Who are these elders? They are none other than the anointed ones of the Christian congregation, resurrected and occupying the heavenly position Jehovah promised them. How do we know that?

First of all, they are wearing crowns. The Bible speaks of anointed Christians as gaining 'an incorruptible crown' and attaining to an endless life-immortality. (1 Corinthians 9:25; 15:53,54) But since these elders are sitting on thrones, the golden crowns in this context represent royal authority. (Compare Revelation 6:2; 14:14) This supports the conclusion that the 24 elders portray Jesus' anointed footstep followers in their heavenly position, for Jesus made a covenant with them to sit on thrones in his Kingdom. (Luke 22:28-30) Only Jesus and these 24 elders - not even the angels - are described as ruling in heaven in Jehovah's presence.

This harmonizes with the promise that Jesus made to the Laodicean congregation: "To the one that conquers I will grant to sit down with me on my throne." (Revelation 3:21) But the heavenly assignment of the 24 elders is not limited to governmental rule. In the introduction to the book of Revelation, John said of Jesus: "He made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father." (Revelation 1:5, 6) These ones are both kings and priests. "They will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years." - Revelation 20:6.

What is significant about the number 24, in that John sees 24 elders around the throne? In many respects, these were foreshadowed by the faithful priests of ancient Israel. The apostle Peter wrote to anointed Christians: "You are 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession.' " (1 Peter 2:9) Interestingly, that ancient Jewish priesthood came to be divided into 24 divisions. Each division was assigned its own weeks in the year to serve before Jehovah, so that sacred service was rendered without a break. (1 Chronicles 24:5-19) It is fitting, then, that there are 24 elders depicted in John's vision of the heavenly priesthood because this priesthood serves Jehovah continually, without ceasing . When completed, there will be 24 divisions, each with 6,000 conquerors, for Revelation 14:1-4 tells us that 144,000 (24x 6000) are "bought from among mankind" to stand on the heavenly Mount Zion with the lamb, Jesus Christ. Since the number 12 signifies a divinely balanced organization, 24 doubles - or strengthens - such an arrangement.

Next time: Lightnings, Voices And Thunders.