Twenty-Four Elders

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. (Revelation 4:4, 5a, NIV 1984).

The rainbow surrounded the throne vertically, while these Heavenly beings surround the throne horizontally. They appear to be the king’s court, and are somewhat reminiscent of the Jewish Sanhedrin that sat in a semicircle with the high priest in the middle. As a symbolic number, twenty-four occurs only in this book and only for these elders (Revelation 4:4, 10; 5:8; 11:16; 19:4).

We do not really know why there are twenty-four. Twelve we are aware of. “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'” Matthew 19:28, NIV 1984). In addition to the twelve apostles, representing the age of grace and the Church, could there also be an elder from each of the twelve tribes representing the age of law and Israel? The two major dispensations?

Alternatively, they might represent the twenty-four divisions of the priesthood (1 Chronicles 24:1–19), or some angelic rank (Colossians 1:16) of which we know nothing. Of the various interpretations, the twenty-four elders are most commonly taken to represent the saints of the old and of the new covenant, represented by the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles.

The white robes and golden crowns the elders wear are expressive of perfect righteousness. The crowns likely represent their kingly authority derived from Jesus Christ who is, after all, the King of kings.

The flashes, rumblings and peals of thunder are variously interpreted as God’s might, His judgment, His power over nature, and His indignation against the wicked.  Modern culture does not like to think of God as a God of wrath and judgment. They prefer to look at the rainbow around the throne and ignore the lightning and thunder proceeding out of the throne. But these are indications of a coming storm and are a reminder of God’s awesome power. These storm signals will be repeated during the time of judgment, always proceeding from the throne and temple of God (Revelation 8:5; 11:19; 16:18). God is preparing His throne for the coming judgment.

My Advice – The storm is definitely coming. Even now, we may be hearing the rumblings in the distance. None of us will pass the judgment of the old covenant and the law on our own merit, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NIV 1984). But thanks be to God that does not have to be the final verdict. For, “now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:21–22, NIV 1984).

Still, there are way too many that still believe their own merit will somehow be enough. The grace window is closing. Wrath is coming. Choose grace before the window closes completely, and the “lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west” (Matthew 24:27, NIV 1984), signals His return.

Sources:

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 582-583). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Re 4:4). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Re 4:4). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 478-480). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Moore, E., Craven, E. R., & Woods, J. H. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Revelation (p. 152). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.