The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Identifying the Elders

 John knew that priests were appointed to serve in the ancient tabernacle.  So he may have been surprised a 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 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 24 elders are sitting on thrones, the golden crowns   in this context represents 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 the thrones in his Kingdom.   (Luke 22:28-30)  Only Jesus and these 24 elders-not even the angels-are described as ruling in heaven with 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 Revelation, John said of Jesus: "He made us to be a kingdom, priest to his God and Father." (Revelation1:5,6)  These ones are both kings and priests.  "They will be priests of God and of 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 priest 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 24 divisions, each with 6 conquerors, for Revelation 14:1-4 tells us that 144,000 (24x6,000) 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 strenthens-such an arrangement.

Next time: The Magnificence of Jehovah's Celestial Throne - Lightnings, Voices, and Thunders

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