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Sunday, September 10, 2023

Revelation 4:4 "Twenty-four smaller thrones surrounded His, with twenty-four Elders sitting on them; all were clothed in white, with golden crowns upon their heads."

 Revelation 4:4 “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.” [1] 

3.         The Twenty-Four Elders (Revelation 4:4).[2]

VISION TWO,

Revelation 4:1–16:21

Chapter 4

III. The Picture of Things Hereafter, Revelation 4:1–5:14

A.  The Throne of God: The Focal Point of History, Revelation 4:1–11

1.   John was given the vision

a.   He saw an open door in heaven

b.   He heard a commanding voice

c.   He was called to “Come up here”: To see things that must take place

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.

d.   He was in the Spirit

e.   He saw the astounding sight of God sitting upon His throne

2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

2.   The One on the Throne

a.   His position: He was sitting as the sovereign Majesty of the universe

b.   His description: Indescribable

3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

3.   The 24 Elders

a.   Were seated upon thrones that surround God’s throne

b.   Were clothed in white

c.   Wore crowns of gold

4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

4.   The majesty of God

a.   There was lightning & rumblings of thunder

b.   There were seven blazing lamps: The seven spirits of God

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

c.   There was a sea of glass, like crystal

5.   The four living creatures surrounding the throne

a.   Their position: They are the beings closest to God, guardians of His throne & holy presence

b.   Their description

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

c.   Their function: To glorify & honor God

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

6.   The function of the elders who surround the throne

a.   To show total submission & subordination

b.   To worship the Lord

c.   To show the supreme worthiness of the Lord

10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

d.   To praise the Lord

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. [3]


2. The Church in the Place (Revelation 4:4)

• The scene at the throne. “Out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices” (Revelation 4:5). This was all “the precursors of coming judgment” (Scott).

• The Spirit before the throne. “Seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven Spirits of God” (Revelation 4:5). We noted in Revelation 1:4 this reference to the Holy Spirit as “seven Spirits.” The Holy Spirit is but One, but the seven speaks of the fullness and completeness of His ministry. He will be involved in the Divine judgment work.

• The sea before the throne. “Before the throne, there was a sea of glass like unto crystal” (Revelation 4:6). The transparency and truthfulness of Divine government are seen in this sea of glass-like crystal. It reflects the glory of the Lord. 

“And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold” (Revelation 4:4). Around the throne were twenty-four seats upon which sat twenty-four elders. We note five things pertaining to these twenty-four and their seats.

• The chairs. “Seats.” The word translated “seats” is the same word earlier translated “throne.” These would obviously be lesser seats but would be places of honor in heaven. Unlike the earth, God’s people sit in high places of honor in heaven.

• The chiefs. “Elders.” These are representatives of the church, for later Scripture identifies them as the redeemed. “The … four and twenty elders … sung a new song … thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:8, 9).

• The count. “Twenty-four.” Why twenty-four? In answer, Strauss quoting Ironside said, “There are twelve patriarchs in Israel, and twelve apostles introducing the new dispensation. The two together would give us the complete four and twenty.” The twenty-four represent all the redeemed—“every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

• The clothing. “Clothed in white raiment.” Revelation 19:8 speaks of this group as “arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.”

• The crowns. “They had on their heads crowns of gold.” In the epistles we learned of various crowns given to the believers for their faithfulness and service. These crowns represent rewards and honor for the redeemed.[4] 

3 (Revelation 4:4) Elders of Revelation: there is the sight of twenty-four elders sitting around the throne of God. Note what is said about the elders.

1. They are seated upon thrones that surround God’s throne. This shows that they …

•     are near God, being honored with His presence

•     are resting in God, being fulfilled, complete, and satisfied

•     are enthroned with God, that is, they are given a permanent place in His presence forever and ever

2. They are clothed in white. This means that they are clothed in the purity and holiness of God and of Christ. There is no imperfection in them at all (Re. 3:18–20).

3. They have crowns of gold on their heads. This means that they hold positions of authority; that they are given some duty and responsibility to oversee for God; that they serve God by overseeing some rule and domain; and that others serve under them. Simply stated, they rule and reign for God, serving Him by managing some vast rule and domain of the universe. 

DEEPER STUDY # 1

(Revelation 4:4) Elders of Revelation: Who are the elders of revelation? Note three points. 

1. Opinions Vary And They Differ Drastically. When all the views are considered, the strongest arguments boil down to three major thoughts.

a.   They are thought to be the twelve patriarchs and the twelve apostles combined—the heads of the believers, of the church of both the Old and New Testament. That is, they are thought to be the heads and representatives of all the believers of both the Old and New Testament. The reasons for holding this position are as follows:

   The patriarchs’ names are on the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem and the apostles’ names are on the foundations (Re. 21:12, 14).

   A strong argument for this position is their song which proclaims that the Lamb “has redeemed us to God.” They call themselves redeemed ones (Re. 5:9, Textus, Receptus, the Greek text used for the KJV. However, this is disputed.)

   They are numbered and crowned, whereas spirits and angels are never specifically numbered or crowned in Scripture.

   Everything about the elders is said to be a promise to believers: the thrones, the white clothing, and the crowns.

b.   They are thought to be angelic beings, a council of angelic beings surrounding God (1 K. 22:19; Ps. 89:7; Is. 24:23). The reasons for holding this position are as follows:

   The angels are said to be organized in special ranks or orders. The various ranks are bound to have leaders or elders responsible for overseeing each of the ranks (Ro. 8:38; Ep. 3:10; Col. 1:16). Angels are clothed in white (Mt. 28:3; Mk. 16:5; Jn. 20:12; Ac. 1:10).

   Thrones are ascribed to angelic beings, and it is assumed that if thrones are, then angels must be wearing crowns, at least some higher-ranking angels must be. However, crowns are never said to be worn by angels (Ro. 8:38; Ep. 3:10; Col. 1:16). The angels are related more to the four living creatures and their function—the function of surrounding the throne of God and of worshipping and serving Him—than are the redeemed saints. The picture of the elders is always associated with the four living creatures (Re. 5:8; 8:3; 7:9–11, 13–14; 11:16–18; 14:1–3; 19:1–4).

   A council of angelic beings are said to surround the throne of God in the Old Testament (Ps. 89:7; Is. 24:23; 1 K. 22:19).

   Angels are more likely to offer up the prayers of believers to God than some elder believers from among the saints of God (Re. 5:8).

   An angel is more likely to reveal future events to John during his vision than is an elder believer. This happens later on in the vision of John (Re. 7:13–14).

   Twenty-four angels are more likely to serve as the counterpart to the elders of Israel (Ex. 24:11).

   Twenty-four angels are more likely to serve as the counterpart of twenty-four orders of priests than are believers. The earthly pattern of heavenly things is more likely to be a pattern of angels than of believers (1 Chr. 24).

   The visions of the beings surrounding the throne of God is this: there is the great innumerable multitude of believers, then the angels, then the elders, and then the four living creatures. The point is that the elders are listed with angelic beings in contrast to the redeemed (Re. 7:9–11; 19:1–4).

c.   In the Old Testament there were thousands of priests. Of course, they all could not come together at the same time to serve in the temple. Thus King David, divided the priests into twenty-four groups, each group to serve two weeks at a time (1 Chr. 24). One thing needs to be noted. When the twenty-four priests met in the temple precincts to serve their two-week ministry, the whole priestly house was represented. Therefore, the elders in heaven are said to be the symbolic representatives of all the redeemed of the Lord.

   The crowns and white robes are promised to the faithful (Re. 2:10; 3:4).

   The thrones of authority and responsibility are promised to the disciples (Mt. 19:27–30). 

2. All The Scriptures That Mention The Elders Are These.

a.   The elders sit on thrones surrounding the throne of God.

“And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold” (Re. 4:4).

“And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth” (Re. 14:3).

“And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia” (Re. 19:4).

b.   The elders cast their crowns before the throne of God.

“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne” (Re. 4:10).

c.   The elders worship God.

“And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Re. 4:9–11).

“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 vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us [Greek, men] to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Re. 5:8–11).

“And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever” (Re. 5:14).

“And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God” (Re. 7:11).

“And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God” (Re. 11:16).

“And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth” (Re. 14:3).

“And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia” (Re. 19:4).

d.   One elder encourages John when he weeps.

“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Re. 5:5).

e.   One elder brings the progress of saints to God.

“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” (Re. 5:6).

f.    One elder explains part of the vision to John.

“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Re. 5:5).

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Re. 7:13–14). 

3. Note Two Significant Points.

a.   The elders are mentioned right along with God, Christ, the living creatures, angels, and with the redeemed believers who are already in heaven. They are set apart or distinct and different from each of these. Therefore, if the elders are angels as some believe, they are the leaders or elders of the angels. If they are believers, then they must be leaders or elders from among believers.

b.   John nowhere says who the elders are. He only speaks of them as part of the vast array of heavenly beings who worship and serve our God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Remember: the purpose of The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible® is to present only what the Scripture says, not to give personal opinions. The beat of our heart is to be true to the Word of God and to let the Word speak for itself. This we do to the best of our ability. We leave the declarations of denominational and theological positions up to the individual minister of God and to those who feel called to make such declarations. Our call with The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible® is only to outline the Scripture and to develop the points of the outline to the best of our ability. Our prayer is that this approach will help you to get into the Word of God more and more and help you to expound the Word more and more to God’s dear people.) [5] 

“Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.” Revelation 4:4 NLT

Surrounding God’s throne were twenty-four thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them. These elders fell before God in worship (Revelation 5:14; 11:16; 19:4), continually praising him (Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10; 11:17–18; 19:4). One of them served as a spokesman (Revelation 5:5; 7:13). The elders joined with the four living creatures to present the prayers of the saints to God (Revelation 5:8).

John did not identify these twenty-four elders. Evidently, the worship they were providing was more significant than who they were. Scholars have proposed several possibilities for the identity of these twenty-four elders:

•     Because there were twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and twelve apostles in the New Testament, the twenty-four elders (twelve plus twelve) in this vision represent all the redeemed of God for all time (both before and after Christ’s death and resurrection). They symbolize all those—both Jews and Gentiles—who are now part of God’s family. The twenty-four elders show us that all the redeemed of the Lord are worshiping him.

•     The twenty-four elders are the heavenly counterpart of the twenty-four priestly ranks who served the temple (1 Chronicles 23:6; 24:7–18).

•     Most likely, the elders are an angelic group providing this worship, and the reference to twenty-four remains speculative. Their continuous praise supports this view and the fact that they serve with, but are distinguished from, the four living creatures (Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10; 11:17–18; 19:4). The twenty-four elders are beings who live in heaven and worship God at his throne (Revelation 14:3). Though they are crowned and dressed in white, they clearly do not represent the church. These leaders sing of human believers, not about themselves (Revelation 5:9). In view of their actions, such as worshiping and offering bowls of incense, they seem to be a special order of angels.

God … is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible.

The Scots Confession [6] 


Revelation 4:4 "Twenty-four smaller thrones surrounded His, with twenty-four Elders sitting on them; all were clothed in white, with golden crowns upon their heads."

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[1] The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

[3] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

[4] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical Bible Expositor: Revelation. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.

[5] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

NLT Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

[6] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

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