The 24 Elders in Revelation

[Standing Up]

I had previously suggested that the 24 elders were OT saints who believed God, looking for His Christ. I refereneced the OT cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11. I may have been close, but in looking at the elders' function, consider who they really are.

The 24 elders in Revelation hold bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (Rev. 5:8).

In the OT, the High Priest would take the bowls of incense into the Holy of Holies once a year (Lev. 16:12-13).

In the NT, the veil is torn, our High Priest is Jesus Christ. The believer/saint today does not have any intercessor, but may go directly into the presence of our God through Jesus Christ.

Therefore, the 24 elders are the OT Levitical line of OT High Priests. Not all Bibles spell them exactly the same, but here they are from Ezra 7:1-5 and Nehemiah 12:10-11.

Keep in mind that Ezra closed the OT canon and there were no more prophets until John the Baptist, who "introduced" Jesus Christ. (As an aside, John the Revelator closed the NT canon.)

1) Aaron
2) Eleazor
3) Phineahas
4) Abishua
5) Bukki
6) Uzzi
7) Zerahiah
8) Meraioth
9) Azariah
10) Amariah
11) Ahitub
12) Zadok

13) Shallum
14) Hilkiah
15) Azariah
16) Seraiah
17) Ezra Jozadak
18) Jeshua
19) Joiakim
20) Eliashib
21) Joiada
22) Jonathan
23) Juddua
24) John the Baptist (parents were both Levites)

These are the 24 elders in Revelation.

 

[Bobgf]

That's very interesting. Thanks.

 

[visionary]

If they are after the order of Melchedek then those following the levitical order are not neccessarily chosen to be one of the 24 elders. I believe the eldership is open to the order than will be for all eternity and the levitical order is no longer... but the order that will last for all eternity since the King of Salem is the Melchedek order.

 

[Standing Up]

If they are after the order of Melchedek then those following the levitical order are not neccessarily chosen to be one of the 24 elders. I believe the eldership is open to the order than will be for all eternity and the levitical order is no longer... but the order that will last for all eternity since the King of Salem is the Melchedek order.

The 24 elders were after the Levitical order, but they cast their crowns, they learn a new song, they fall on their faces, worshiping the Lamb the High Priest of the order of Melchizedek.

 

[Bobgf]

Excellent response imo.

 

[visionary]

elders are not necessarily of the levitical order to begin with, so why should they be elders before Yeshua?

 

[Ciana]

The 24 elders in Revelation hold bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (Rev. 5:8).

If we read a few more verses following Rev.5:8, we see the song they sung seems
to include them in the redeemed (taken out of every tongue, people and nation).

To offer another view, the 24 elders seem to be representative of all believers.

 

[Standing Up]

If we read a few more verses following Rev.5:8, we see the song they sung seems
to include them in the redeemed (taken out of every tongue, people and nation).

To offer another view, the 24 elders seem to be representative of all believers.

There are many views of who the elders are, but the view I present considers their role as intercessors, carrying the incense, the prayers. That is OT, not NT.

So, they learned a new song. They were told that all nations were to be blessed, but ... Or consider Jonah, sent to the Ninevites (symbolic of Christ to all).

As you will read, the word "new" would not lend itself to your interpretation that they represent all believers. Instead they represent the line of High Priests as noted in the OP.

Here's Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (my emphasis)

New:
denotes "new," of that which is unaccustomed or unused, not "new" in time, recent, but "new" as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as old. "'The new tongues,' kainos, of Mar 16:17 are the 'other tongues,' heteros, of Act 2:4. These languages, however, were 'new' and 'different,' not in the sense that they had never been heard before, or that they were new to the hearers, for it is plain from Act 2:8 that this is not the case; they were new languages to the speakers, different from those in which they were accustomed to speak.
"The new things that the Gospel brings for present obedience and realization are: a new covenant, Mat 26:28 in some texts; a new commandment, Jhn 13:34; a new creative act, Gal 6:15; a new creation, 2Cr 5:17; a new man, i.e., a new character of manhood, spiritual and moral, after the pattern of Christ, Eph 4:24; a new man, i.e., 'the Church which is His (Christ's) body,' Eph 2:15.
"The new things that are to be received and enjoyed hereafter are: a new name, the believer's, Rev 2:17; a new name, the Lord's, Rev 3:12; a new song, Rev 5:9; a new Heaven and a new Earth, Rev 21:1; the new Jerusalem, Rev 3:12; 21:2; 'And He that sitteth on the Throne said, Behold, I make all things new,' Rev 21:5" *
[* From Notes on Galations, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 337, 338.]
Kainos is translated "fresh" in the RV of Mat 9:17; Mar 2:22 (in the best texts) and Luk 5:38, of wineskins. Cp. kainotes, "newness" (below)

 

[Standing Up]

elders are not necessarily of the levitical order to begin with, so why should they be elders before Yeshua?

Elders again here's Vines,

(2) in the Jewish nation, firstly, those who were the heads or leaders of the tribes and families, as of the seventy who assisted Moses, Num 11:16; Deu 27:1, and those assembled by Solomon; secondly, members of the Sanhedrin, consisting of the chief priests, "elders" and scribes, learned in Jewish law, e.g., Mat 16:21; 26:47; thirdly, those who managed public affairs in the various cities, Luk 7:3;


I simply find it not coincidental that the number of High Priests from Aaron to Christ is 24.

 

[visionary]

I find it funny that though you know that the High Priests over the years up to Christ were not perfect .. in fact some were bought delegates, idol worshippers, and reprobates... that you all of a sudden do an about face and think that they are going to be honored by God... just because they held the position while they lived on earth.

 

[Standing Up]

I find it funny that though you know that the High Priests over the years up to Christ were not perfect .. in fact some were bought delegates, idol worshippers, and reprobates... that you all of a sudden do an about face and think that they are going to be honored by God... just because they held the position while they lived on earth.

Interesting comment. I guess they are honored by their proximity to the throne? I mean obviously they worship God.

One might wonder why it was that Ezra closed the canon. It was still some 400 years until Christ. There were other things written, yet not part of Protestant Bibles. And yes, by the time of Christ, the High Priest position was, immm, imperfect, bought, Romishly appointed, etc. So, what happened?

Ezra or Nehemiah indicates that the High Priest had married a foreign woman. That was against the Law. So, IMO, that is why it stopped. No more prophets until John the Baptist.

Nevertheless, their function was to point to Christ. That they did, at least the 24 identified in the line in Scripture.

 

[HisdaughterJen]

Zec 3:1And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

Zec 3:2And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: [is] not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

Zec 3:3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

Zec 3:4And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Zec 3:5And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

Zec 3:6And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

Zec 3:7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

Zec 3:8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.



The 24 elders appear to be representative of the church who will one day also be taken to the throne of God and given "imperishable/immortal, sinless clothes" (mentioned in Rev 6 -seal #5 as the white robes given only to the Bride in Revelation.)

 

[zeke37]

I had previously suggested that the 24 elders were OT saints who believed God, looking for His Christ. I refereneced the OT cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11. I may have been close, but in looking at the elders' function, consider who they really are.

The 24 elders in Revelation hold bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (Rev. 5:8).

In the OT, the High Priest would take the bowls of incense into the Holy of Holies once a year (Lev. 16:12-13).

In the NT, the veil is torn, our High Priest is Jesus Christ. The believer/saint today does not have any intercessor, but may go directly into the presence of our God through Jesus Christ.

Therefore, the 24 elders are the OT Levitical line of OT High Priests. Not all Bibles spell them exactly the same, but here they are from Ezra 7:1-5 and Nehemiah 12:10-11.

Keep in mind that Ezra closed the OT canon and there were no more prophets until John the Baptist, who "introduced" Jesus Christ. (As an aside, John the Revelator closed the NT canon.)

1) Aaron
2) Eleazor
3) Phineahas
4) Abishua
5) Bukki
6) Uzzi
7) Zerahiah
8) Meraioth
9) Azariah
10) Amariah
11) Ahitub
12) Zadok

13) Shallum
14) Hilkiah
15) Azariah
16) Seraiah
17) Ezra Jozadak
18) Jeshua
19) Joiakim
20) Eliashib
21) Joiada
22) Jonathan
23) Juddua
24) John the Baptist (parents were both Levites)

These are the 24 elders in Revelation.

The 24 elders were after the Levitical order, but they cast their crowns, they learn a new song, they fall on their faces, worshiping the Lamb the High Priest of the order of Melchizedek.

I think your right...When I read this, I felt it was truth, so I'm gonna research for myelf...see if I agree with the references...


if so, very cool.

 

[Ichabod 2]

The twenty-four Elders in the book of Revelation bear a special signification. These Elders occupy a unique position described as “round about” the throne — yet UPON THRONES! In order to fully appreciate the scenery here drawn by the Spirit, we need to go back and examine the order established among the people of Israel after they came up out of the land of Egypt. The Camp of Israel as it was established in Sinai formed a hollow square. In the center of the hollow was the tabernacle of Moses.

Around the tabernacle Israel was divided into four camps: one camp of three tribes on the east side, another camp of three tribes on the south side, another camp of three tribes on the west side, and the last camp of three tribes on the north side. Then — in the open area between the camp of the tribes of Israel and the tabernacle was camped the tribe of Levi with its priesthood — “round about” the tabernacle. In order to go to the tabernacle from any of the tribes of Israel it was necessary to pass through the camp of the priests! This great truth reveals that God placed the camp of the priests directly between Himself and the people of Israel. It should be clear to any thinking mind that the priesthood camped “round about” the tabernacle corresponds precisely to the scene of the twenty-four Elders seated “round about” the throne of God! For you see, the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle constituted the throne of Yahweh in the midst of His people! And “round about” that throne was His priesthood!

Further confirmation that the twenty-four Elders represent the ministry of priesthood lies in the fact that in I Chronicles chapter twenty-four we read of how, under king David, in preparation for their future ministry in the temple, the Levitical priesthood was divided into TWENTY-FOUR COURSES under the headship of TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS! The priesthood had become so numerous that all of those priests could not go into the house of the Lord at one time, so they were divided into courses and assigned to work shifts, each “course” of priests and Levites came on duty for a week at a time. It took all twenty-four courses to MAKE UP THE ENTIRE PRIESTHOOD OF GOD! The twenty-four Elders represent the whole priesthood of God, of which Jesus is the Head, our great High Priest!

Let us then stand assured of this marvelous truth: the four Living Creatures represent the ministry of kingship, for they dwell in the midst of the throne. The twenty-four Elders reveal within themselves the ministry of priesthood, for they are round about the throne, standing between the God of the throne and the vast multitude “before” the throne.

These are not two separate companies; these are rather two aspects of ministry that have their source and power in the throne. This is the KING-PRIEST MINISTRY OF THE MANIFEST SONS OF GOD! These are all sons of God in the power and outflow of life, glory, and power from the throne. God is raising up within each of His called and chosen elect the spirit and nature of sonship, the spirit and nature of kingship, and the spirit and nature of priesthood. These are the heavenly realities John beheld in the throne room!

The four Living Creatures — KINGS! The twenty-four Elders — PRIESTS! Together they bow low before the great King of kings and the High Priest over the house of priests, intoning this new song — “Thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign over the earth!” (Rev. 5:9-10). God’s meaning of a “song” is “message; revelation; experience.” All songs are meant to convey a message! Man calls anything a song, any weird beat, any unnatural accents, any harmonic dissonance, any melodic discord, the ba-ba-bu of the jungle, the raucous racket of rock music, the monotonous drone of hip-hop is merchandised as a song. A “new song” in spiritual language means a NEW REVELATION, a NEW MESSAGE, a NEW EXPERIENCE in God! A new song is born when men experience the inworking of a new message, the message and the messenger so becoming one until the messenger becomes the message.

 

[Standing Up]

Zec 3:1And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

Zec 3:2And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: [is] not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

Zec 3:3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

Zec 3:4And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Zec 3:5And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

Zec 3:6And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

Zec 3:7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

Zec 3:8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.



The 24 elders appear to be representative of the church who will one day also be taken to the throne of God and given "imperishable/immortal, sinless clothes" (mentioned in Rev 6 -seal #5 as the white robes given only to the Bride in Revelation.)

Ummm, you just quoted Zec. 3:1 about one of those OT High Priests being clothed (#18), and then conclude they are representatives of the church. Not sure how your quote and conclusion relate.

Christ is the only one who cleanses.

 

[Standing Up]

We will get into the four living creatures later, but probably they are the four gospels pointing to Redeemer. As well, the four standards around the tabernacle of Moses. All pointing to Christ Jesus.

 

[Standing Up]

I think your right...When I read this, I felt it was truth, so I'm gonna research for myelf...see if I agree with the references...


if so, very cool.

Yeah, very interesting. Let me know what you find.

 

[zeke37]

the four beasts are the 4 Standards (flags) of Israel...the 4 corner Standards.

Man = Ruben
Lion = Judah
Ox = Ephraim
Eagle =Dan

the four corners of the Israelite encampment...Numbers2

 

[Standing Up]

the four beasts are the 4 Standards (flags) of Israel...the 4 corner Standards.

Man = Ruben
Lion = Judah
Ox = Ephraim
Eagle =Dan

the four corners of the Israelite encampment...Numbers2

Maybe or this

Eze. 1:10 As for the form of their faces, {each} had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle.

To which I think apply to the four gospels. Matthew-Lion, Mark-Ox/bull, Luke-Man, John-Eagle.

They declare the One who was, is, and is to come.

 

[yeshuasavedme]

I had previously suggested that the 24 elders were OT saints who believed God, looking for His Christ. I refereneced the OT cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11. I may have been close, but in looking at the elders' function, consider who they really are.

The 24 elders in Revelation hold bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (Rev. 5:8).

...

No, what Moses patterned on earth was after the heavenly things.

The Watchers, who are "chiefs" are those angels of whom the seven stand before the God of the whole earth, and they are the "ancients" who dwell in Zion of the heavenlies and who intercede for men, and before whom the LORD Jesus reigns gloriously.

Isa 24:23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
If you really want to know about the angels who dwell in that city of God and who are called the "elect angels", and who pray and intercede for men, then read the Book of 1 Enoch.
Enoch saw them in that city and longed to go there, and was granted to go, in his translated to glory body.

1 Enoch chapter 39...
3 And in those days a whirlwind carried me off from the earth,
And set me down at the end of the heavens.
4 And there I saw another vision, the dwelling-places of the holy,
And the resting-places of the righteous.
5 Here mine eyes saw their dwellings with His righteous angels,
And their resting-places with the holy.
And they petitioned and interceded and prayed for the children of men,
And righteousness flowed before them as water,
And mercy like dew upon the earth:
Thus it is amongst them for ever and ever.
6a And in that place mine eyes saw the Elect One of righteousness and of faith,
7a And I saw his dwelling-place under the wings of the Lord of Spirits.
6b And righteousness shall prevail in his days,
And the righteous and elect shall be without number before Him for ever and ever.
7b And all the righteous and elect before Him shall be strong as fiery lights,
And their mouth shall be full of blessing,
And their lips extol the name of the Lord of Spirits,
And righteousness before Him shall never fail,
[And uprightness shall never fail before Him.]
8 There I wished to dwell,

And my spirit longed for that dwelling-place:
And there heretofore hath been my portion,
For so has it been established concerning me before the Lord of Spirits.
9 In those days I praised and extolled the name of the Lord of Spirits with blessings and praises, because He hath destined me for blessing and glory according to the good pleasure of the Lord of 10 Spirits. For a long time my eyes regarded that place, and I blessed Him and praised Him, saying: 'Blessed is He, and may He be blessed from the beginning and for evermore. And before Him there is no ceasing. He knows before the world was created what is for ever and what will be from 12 generation unto generation. Those who sleep not bless Thee: they stand before Thy glory and bless, praise, and extol, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Spirits: He filleth the earth with 3 spirits."' And here my eyes saw all those who sleep not: they stand before Him and bless and say: 'Blessed be Thou, and blessed be the name of the Lord for ever and ever.' And my face was changed; for I could no longer behold.

That city is where all Believers have now "come to" and where the righteous go to dwell, at death.

Hbr 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Hbr 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Now, those Watchers intercede for men, as is shown in Rev. and in 1 Enoch above, and in 1 Enoch 14, when Enoch intercedes for the watchers who fell, God said this to them through Enoch;

And go, say to the Watchers of heaven, who have sent thee to intercede for them: "You should intercede" for men, and not men 3 for you: Wherefore have ye left the high, holy, and eternal heaven, and lain with women, and defiled yourselves with the daughters of men and taken to yourselves wives, and done like the children 4 of earth, and begotten giants (as your) sons? And though ye were holy, spiritual, living the eternal life, you have defiled yourselves with the blood of women, and have begotten (children) with the blood of flesh, and, as the children of men, have lusted after flesh and blood as those also do who die 5 and perish. Therefore have I given them wives also that they might impregnate them, and beget 6 children by them, that thus nothing might be wanting to them on earth. But you were formerly 7 spiritual, living the eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the world. And therefore I have not appointed wives for you; for as for the spiritual ones of the heaven, in heaven is their dwelling. 8 And now, the giants, who are produced from the spirits and flesh, shall be called evil spirits upon 9 the earth, and on the earth shall be their dwelling. Evil spirits have proceeded from their bodies; because they are born from men and from the holy Watchers is their beginning and primal origin; 10 they shall be evil spirits on earth, and evil spirits shall they be called. [As for the spirits of heaven, in heaven shall be their dwelling, but as for the spirits of the earth which were born upon the earth, on the earth shall be their dwelling.] And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and work destruction on the earth, and cause trouble: they take no food, but nevertheless 12 hunger and thirst, and cause offences. And these spirits shall rise up against the children of men and against the women, because they have proceeded from them.