W
wmssid
Guest
24 ELDERS = END OF THE LAW OF MOSES.
In his letter to Rome, Paul repeatedly emphasized that: some are saved with the law, and others were saved without the law; and Paul stated that he was working to lead both groups to Iesous to be saved. Here are Pauls words on the subject:
1) For as many as have sinned without law (Gentiles) will also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law (Jews) will be judged by the law - Romans 2.12.
2) since there is one God (Qeos) who will (future tense) justiify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith - Romans 3.30.
3) even the righteousness of God, through faith in Iesous the Anointed (Ihsous O Cristos), to all (Jews) and on all (Gentiles) who believe. For there is no difference ... - Romans 3.22.
4) Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to favor, so that the promise might be ssure to all the seed (of Abraham), not only to those who are of the law (Jews), but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham (Gentiles), who is the father of us all - Romans 4.16.
5) ... I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew ... as under the law, that I might win those under the law; to those without law, as without law (Gentiles) ... that I might win those without law - 1Cor 9.19-21.
This is reccorded clearly in another manner:
A) So let no one judge you (Gentiles only) in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths - Colossians 2.16.
B) For assuredly, I say to you (Jews only), till Heaven and Earth (Israel) pass away, one jot or one tittle will (future tense) by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled - Matthew 5.18.
24 ELDERS. Around the throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones I saw 24 elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads - Rev 4.4.
Prior to submitting our conclusions, we will share the solutions of other men.
... presbyters, representing, very probably, the whole church of God, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament state; not the ministers of the church, but rather the representatives of the people - Matthew Henry, 1714.1
The Twelve Patriarchs (cf. ch. 7.5-8), not the personal, but their representative character, and Twelve Apostles - Andrew Fausset, 1878.2
From all these passages, it will be seen that the elders are grouped, not with the martyrs, or redeemed, or the one hundred and forty and four thousand; not with saved men, but with the angels and the cherubim about the throne of God. This distinction marks their character. They belong to the heavenly intelligences; to the same class as the cherubim and angels - B. W. Johnson, 1891.3
They are human beings, and are designed to have some relation to the race of man, and somehow to connect the human race with the worship of heaven - Albert Barnes, 1851.4
Several points should be made about the conclusions quoted above. (1) None of the writers believed in the resurrection in this generation [AD 32 - Mt 24.34]. (2) The tale of the Twelve Patriarchs and the Twelve Apostles is from the papal expositors in the Dark Ages. (3) Three commentators believe that they are human beings, while the other one states that they are heavenly intelligences. The key to the dispute is the phrase, ten thousand times ten thousand (Rev 5.11). Jude identifies this hoard of men as saints (14); and so, the majority is correct, and Johnson is wrong. Also the word rendered angels in Chapter 5 should properly read messengers (aggeloi) (5.11). When we remove the Popes word angels the meaning is more easily comprehended.
The Jews had an ongoing controversy about the number of books in the Old Testament. The way it stands today, the Hebrew canon consists of 24 books. Some had contended for only 22 books in order to equal the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. The Council of Jamina, also called Yabneh, ruled in favor of 24 books in AD 90. This city is located just a few miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea, and is only slightly North of an imaginary line from the site of Jerusalem and running parallel to the equator. Below is our conclusion of the 24 Elders.
1) Job (1600-1300), and: 2) Moses (1635-1594), and: 3) Joshua (1594-1560), and: 4) Samuel (1110-1090);
5) David (1050-1010), and: 6) Solomon (1009-970), and: 7) Jonah (822), and: 8) Amos (807-782);
9) Hosea (807-727), and: 10) Isaiah (758-698), and: 11) Micah (755-698), and: 12) Zephaniah (640-610);
13) Joel (713), and: 14) Nahum (612), and: 15) Habakkuk (606), and: 16) Jeremiah (611-569);
17) Daniel (599-520), and: 18) Ezekiel (594-574), and: 19) Obadiah (587), and: 20) Haggai (519);
21) Zechariah (519-517), and: 22) Ezra (480-479), and: 23) Nehemiah (455-443), and: 24) Malachi (440)
Now we will address the justification for such a conclusion. The Bible declared, insistently, that Gods (myhla) reigned and ruled and judged Israel and the entire world. He was even incensed against Israel for requesting a king. Gosd ruled by performing miracles, such as, the Creation, and parting the Red Sea, and having manna fall from heaven, and then quails were provided when Israel complained of manna; besides this He sent hornets to drive the seven nations out of Canaan so that Israel could possess the land, and many other miracles which are familiar to the reader of the Bible. But God, today, also rules by the Word of God! The Blessing and the Curse of the Law make this evident. (See: Deut 11.13-17.) Moses was inspired to, set before you today life and good, death and evil (Deut 30.15). Isaiah was commanded to make Israel blind and deaf, figuratively. (See: Is 6.9-13.) Paul declares, by inspiration from God, that the law is to be the judge: as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (Rom 2.12). Iesous taught, while in the flesh, that the law would not pass away before Heaven and Earth (Israel) was destroyed. (See: Mt 5.17-18.) But now, in the vision before us, Heaven and Earth (Israel) is gone, and we have a New Heaven and a New Earth; and so, the law is history!
The justification of our list of 24 Elders goes like this:
Although the 24 books that were canonized by the Jews prompted the notion that the Old Testament was written by 24 prophets of God, the fact remains that they do not relate exactly to each other. Here are the reasons. Several prophets wrote more than one book. These included Moses wrote five books, while Solomon produced three books, and Jeremiah contributed two books, and the Psalms had several writers, some of them being unidentified. Added to these observations is the fact that the Jews had all of the minor prophets included in one book. Therefore their 24 books do not produce one writer per book. But we have accepted the notion that the 24 Elders were 24 prophets of God writing the Old Testament, and we have compiled our own list of writers. The apostles of the Lord Iesous are not considered for several reasons. The first reason is the brevity of their reign on the twelve thrones of Israel (Mt 19.28), which was only 45 years. The second reason is that their reign continues as the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem. (See: Rev 21.14.) This is the foundation only, and the walls and streets and gates are all added by Iesous Unveiling. The Old Covenant resurrection is pictured here (Rev 4 & 5), and the reign of the 24 Elders is over, but the apostles reign with Iesous continues until the final resurrection (Rev 20.11-15).
24 ELDERS CAST THEIR CROWNS BEFORE THE THRONE. This is the termination of the law of Moses. The prophets of Gods (myhla) had relinquished their reign over the men of earth, and now we had a New Heaven (Government). The sun was darkened, when Antipas died, who was the last heir over the physical kingdom and to the throne of David during the Old Heavens Era. The moon was turned to blood when the priests were killed in the temple in AD 69. The stars shall not give their light was completed in AD 32, when Caiaphas prophesied about it is better that one man should die than the whole nation. He was the last Jewish prophet of God. Now Iesous is the Sun (King), and the Moon (High Priest) and the Morning Star (Living Prophet); and the government will be upon His shoulder (Isa 9.6).
C) WHO IS THE LORD (Kurios)?
The word God (Qeos) is recorded 99 times in Revelation, and the word Lord is utilized 22 times. Then the word Lamb (Amnos - masc. - Arnion - neut.) is mentioned 28 times, while the combined phrase Lord God (Kurios Qeos) is recorded ten times. Every word of God is pure ... (Prov 30.5). Do the various titles have significant meanings? Paul writes of One Lord and One God (Eph 4.4-6). The separateness of the two is emphasized. But then, Lord God signifies the unity of the two which was taught by Iesous:
I and My Father are one - Jn 10.30.
... the throne of God and the Lamb - Rev 22.1.
... for My Father is greater than I - Jn 14.28.
Paul writes to the Philippians that Iesous being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God (Php 2.6). Then he proceeds to explain that Iesous took the form of a servant becoming obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Finally, in his letter to Corinth, Paul explains that when the last enemy, Death, has been destroyed Iesous will be subject to the Father that God may be all in all (1 Cor 15.25-28). Then the dual God of Moses, which was separated to save men from sin, will be reunited. (Elohim [myhla] is the dual word Gods and is employed over 2,290 times in the Old Testament.) Therefore, applying all of these premises to our present problem, the Lord is Iesous, and God is our Heavenly Father, and Iesous has overcome and sat down with His Father on His throne (Rev 3.21).
D) CAST THEIR CROWNS BEFORE THE THRONE. The 24 Elders, who we have identified as the 24 prophets of God who wrote the Old Testament, have voluntarily forfeited their reign over the earth by the law. Now Iesous is ready to introduce the New Covenant law. Bear in mind, the declaration that we are saved by Iesous Unveiling:
Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near - Rev 1.3.
The time is near no longer, for it is past! But that little phrase only applied to the Jews, the rest of the verse applies to everyone until the End of Time. Now Iesous will unveil the future of man till the end of man on earth. God teaches three eras of man on earth: the Pre-flood, and the Old Heavens (Israel), and the New Heavens and a New Earth (2 Pet 3). The Pope teaches that there are only two eras of man on earth, and we kick the third era up to heaven. This is the mark of the Beast: (3 = 2). Does your congregation have the mark of the Beast which leads to Hell? (See: Rev 14.9-14.) But this is easily exposed as folly and unbelief. The New Heaven has a resurrection of the just (Rev 21.7), and a resurrection of the unjust (21.8). And the unjust are cast into the lake of fire! Will the souls in heaven be cast into the lake of fire? Belief in Iesous, and in His words, makes more sense.
E) YOU ARE WORTHY.
Iesous is worthy to receive Glory and Honor and Power because He created all things. Genesis reads: Let Us make man in Our image (1.26). That book also reads: In beginning Gods He-created the heavens and the earth (1.1). Therefore both the Father and the Son are taught to have created all things. (See: Col 1.15-18.) Power is the Forgiveness of sins that are past. And Glory and Honor are two more of the four Living Creatures, and Iesous is worthy to receive these Spirits which are functions of the Body. But we will elaborate more fully on these words in the next chapter. Now we are ready to consider the New Covenant, or New Jerusalem.
Respectfully submitted,
A Living Link to Millennium (AD 1859-1959)
wmssid
In his letter to Rome, Paul repeatedly emphasized that: some are saved with the law, and others were saved without the law; and Paul stated that he was working to lead both groups to Iesous to be saved. Here are Pauls words on the subject:
1) For as many as have sinned without law (Gentiles) will also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law (Jews) will be judged by the law - Romans 2.12.
2) since there is one God (Qeos) who will (future tense) justiify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith - Romans 3.30.
3) even the righteousness of God, through faith in Iesous the Anointed (Ihsous O Cristos), to all (Jews) and on all (Gentiles) who believe. For there is no difference ... - Romans 3.22.
4) Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to favor, so that the promise might be ssure to all the seed (of Abraham), not only to those who are of the law (Jews), but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham (Gentiles), who is the father of us all - Romans 4.16.
5) ... I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew ... as under the law, that I might win those under the law; to those without law, as without law (Gentiles) ... that I might win those without law - 1Cor 9.19-21.
This is reccorded clearly in another manner:
A) So let no one judge you (Gentiles only) in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths - Colossians 2.16.
B) For assuredly, I say to you (Jews only), till Heaven and Earth (Israel) pass away, one jot or one tittle will (future tense) by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled - Matthew 5.18.
24 ELDERS. Around the throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones I saw 24 elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads - Rev 4.4.
Prior to submitting our conclusions, we will share the solutions of other men.
... presbyters, representing, very probably, the whole church of God, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament state; not the ministers of the church, but rather the representatives of the people - Matthew Henry, 1714.1
The Twelve Patriarchs (cf. ch. 7.5-8), not the personal, but their representative character, and Twelve Apostles - Andrew Fausset, 1878.2
From all these passages, it will be seen that the elders are grouped, not with the martyrs, or redeemed, or the one hundred and forty and four thousand; not with saved men, but with the angels and the cherubim about the throne of God. This distinction marks their character. They belong to the heavenly intelligences; to the same class as the cherubim and angels - B. W. Johnson, 1891.3
They are human beings, and are designed to have some relation to the race of man, and somehow to connect the human race with the worship of heaven - Albert Barnes, 1851.4
Several points should be made about the conclusions quoted above. (1) None of the writers believed in the resurrection in this generation [AD 32 - Mt 24.34]. (2) The tale of the Twelve Patriarchs and the Twelve Apostles is from the papal expositors in the Dark Ages. (3) Three commentators believe that they are human beings, while the other one states that they are heavenly intelligences. The key to the dispute is the phrase, ten thousand times ten thousand (Rev 5.11). Jude identifies this hoard of men as saints (14); and so, the majority is correct, and Johnson is wrong. Also the word rendered angels in Chapter 5 should properly read messengers (aggeloi) (5.11). When we remove the Popes word angels the meaning is more easily comprehended.
The Jews had an ongoing controversy about the number of books in the Old Testament. The way it stands today, the Hebrew canon consists of 24 books. Some had contended for only 22 books in order to equal the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. The Council of Jamina, also called Yabneh, ruled in favor of 24 books in AD 90. This city is located just a few miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea, and is only slightly North of an imaginary line from the site of Jerusalem and running parallel to the equator. Below is our conclusion of the 24 Elders.
1) Job (1600-1300), and: 2) Moses (1635-1594), and: 3) Joshua (1594-1560), and: 4) Samuel (1110-1090);
5) David (1050-1010), and: 6) Solomon (1009-970), and: 7) Jonah (822), and: 8) Amos (807-782);
9) Hosea (807-727), and: 10) Isaiah (758-698), and: 11) Micah (755-698), and: 12) Zephaniah (640-610);
13) Joel (713), and: 14) Nahum (612), and: 15) Habakkuk (606), and: 16) Jeremiah (611-569);
17) Daniel (599-520), and: 18) Ezekiel (594-574), and: 19) Obadiah (587), and: 20) Haggai (519);
21) Zechariah (519-517), and: 22) Ezra (480-479), and: 23) Nehemiah (455-443), and: 24) Malachi (440)
Now we will address the justification for such a conclusion. The Bible declared, insistently, that Gods (myhla) reigned and ruled and judged Israel and the entire world. He was even incensed against Israel for requesting a king. Gosd ruled by performing miracles, such as, the Creation, and parting the Red Sea, and having manna fall from heaven, and then quails were provided when Israel complained of manna; besides this He sent hornets to drive the seven nations out of Canaan so that Israel could possess the land, and many other miracles which are familiar to the reader of the Bible. But God, today, also rules by the Word of God! The Blessing and the Curse of the Law make this evident. (See: Deut 11.13-17.) Moses was inspired to, set before you today life and good, death and evil (Deut 30.15). Isaiah was commanded to make Israel blind and deaf, figuratively. (See: Is 6.9-13.) Paul declares, by inspiration from God, that the law is to be the judge: as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (Rom 2.12). Iesous taught, while in the flesh, that the law would not pass away before Heaven and Earth (Israel) was destroyed. (See: Mt 5.17-18.) But now, in the vision before us, Heaven and Earth (Israel) is gone, and we have a New Heaven and a New Earth; and so, the law is history!
The justification of our list of 24 Elders goes like this:
Although the 24 books that were canonized by the Jews prompted the notion that the Old Testament was written by 24 prophets of God, the fact remains that they do not relate exactly to each other. Here are the reasons. Several prophets wrote more than one book. These included Moses wrote five books, while Solomon produced three books, and Jeremiah contributed two books, and the Psalms had several writers, some of them being unidentified. Added to these observations is the fact that the Jews had all of the minor prophets included in one book. Therefore their 24 books do not produce one writer per book. But we have accepted the notion that the 24 Elders were 24 prophets of God writing the Old Testament, and we have compiled our own list of writers. The apostles of the Lord Iesous are not considered for several reasons. The first reason is the brevity of their reign on the twelve thrones of Israel (Mt 19.28), which was only 45 years. The second reason is that their reign continues as the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem. (See: Rev 21.14.) This is the foundation only, and the walls and streets and gates are all added by Iesous Unveiling. The Old Covenant resurrection is pictured here (Rev 4 & 5), and the reign of the 24 Elders is over, but the apostles reign with Iesous continues until the final resurrection (Rev 20.11-15).
24 ELDERS CAST THEIR CROWNS BEFORE THE THRONE. This is the termination of the law of Moses. The prophets of Gods (myhla) had relinquished their reign over the men of earth, and now we had a New Heaven (Government). The sun was darkened, when Antipas died, who was the last heir over the physical kingdom and to the throne of David during the Old Heavens Era. The moon was turned to blood when the priests were killed in the temple in AD 69. The stars shall not give their light was completed in AD 32, when Caiaphas prophesied about it is better that one man should die than the whole nation. He was the last Jewish prophet of God. Now Iesous is the Sun (King), and the Moon (High Priest) and the Morning Star (Living Prophet); and the government will be upon His shoulder (Isa 9.6).
C) WHO IS THE LORD (Kurios)?
The word God (Qeos) is recorded 99 times in Revelation, and the word Lord is utilized 22 times. Then the word Lamb (Amnos - masc. - Arnion - neut.) is mentioned 28 times, while the combined phrase Lord God (Kurios Qeos) is recorded ten times. Every word of God is pure ... (Prov 30.5). Do the various titles have significant meanings? Paul writes of One Lord and One God (Eph 4.4-6). The separateness of the two is emphasized. But then, Lord God signifies the unity of the two which was taught by Iesous:
I and My Father are one - Jn 10.30.
... the throne of God and the Lamb - Rev 22.1.
... for My Father is greater than I - Jn 14.28.
Paul writes to the Philippians that Iesous being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God (Php 2.6). Then he proceeds to explain that Iesous took the form of a servant becoming obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Finally, in his letter to Corinth, Paul explains that when the last enemy, Death, has been destroyed Iesous will be subject to the Father that God may be all in all (1 Cor 15.25-28). Then the dual God of Moses, which was separated to save men from sin, will be reunited. (Elohim [myhla] is the dual word Gods and is employed over 2,290 times in the Old Testament.) Therefore, applying all of these premises to our present problem, the Lord is Iesous, and God is our Heavenly Father, and Iesous has overcome and sat down with His Father on His throne (Rev 3.21).
D) CAST THEIR CROWNS BEFORE THE THRONE. The 24 Elders, who we have identified as the 24 prophets of God who wrote the Old Testament, have voluntarily forfeited their reign over the earth by the law. Now Iesous is ready to introduce the New Covenant law. Bear in mind, the declaration that we are saved by Iesous Unveiling:
Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near - Rev 1.3.
The time is near no longer, for it is past! But that little phrase only applied to the Jews, the rest of the verse applies to everyone until the End of Time. Now Iesous will unveil the future of man till the end of man on earth. God teaches three eras of man on earth: the Pre-flood, and the Old Heavens (Israel), and the New Heavens and a New Earth (2 Pet 3). The Pope teaches that there are only two eras of man on earth, and we kick the third era up to heaven. This is the mark of the Beast: (3 = 2). Does your congregation have the mark of the Beast which leads to Hell? (See: Rev 14.9-14.) But this is easily exposed as folly and unbelief. The New Heaven has a resurrection of the just (Rev 21.7), and a resurrection of the unjust (21.8). And the unjust are cast into the lake of fire! Will the souls in heaven be cast into the lake of fire? Belief in Iesous, and in His words, makes more sense.
E) YOU ARE WORTHY.
Iesous is worthy to receive Glory and Honor and Power because He created all things. Genesis reads: Let Us make man in Our image (1.26). That book also reads: In beginning Gods He-created the heavens and the earth (1.1). Therefore both the Father and the Son are taught to have created all things. (See: Col 1.15-18.) Power is the Forgiveness of sins that are past. And Glory and Honor are two more of the four Living Creatures, and Iesous is worthy to receive these Spirits which are functions of the Body. But we will elaborate more fully on these words in the next chapter. Now we are ready to consider the New Covenant, or New Jerusalem.
Respectfully submitted,
A Living Link to Millennium (AD 1859-1959)
wmssid
