First of all, they are wearing crowns. The Bible speaks of anointed Christians as gaining 'a incorruptible crown' attaining to an endless life-immortality. (1 Corinthians 9:25; 15:53, 54) But since these 24 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 Christ and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years." -REVELATION 20:6.
Next time: Chapter Fourteen/The Magnificence of Jehovah's Throne - Identifying the 24 Elders - Conclusion
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