DR. BURK PARSONS: Well, thats a great question, and its a question that I get from time to time because I think it is an issue that theres a lot of confusion surrounding. The 24 elders in Revelation are most likely the church. A throne means that they are reigning or prepared to reign with God. Key verse: Who are the 24 elders and why are they wearing golden - The Bible She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. We are told the 24 elders are dressed in white and that they are wearing crowns of gold on their heads (Revelation 4:4). from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. His wife Samantha maintains this site as well as their missionary outreaches. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! and from Talbot School of Theology of Biola University with a Master of Divinity. This view is the view that is most in agreement with Scripture. Only unbelievers will have to undergo the Tribulation. Jesus is in the center while the 24 elders surround the throne. Rev.4:4 They are on thrones surrounding the Father's thrones. 2. All rights reserved. Hes not lifting himself up. And he said to me, Write, They are dressed in white robes 26(L)The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. The twenty-four (24) elders in Revelation - Who are they? What's the significance of the number 24 in the 24 elders? - BibleAsk The blood of those in need will be precious in His sight. However, the main theory and most supported by Scripture is that the 24 elders are representations of the church. And of course, there again, we have the cognate in English, episcopal. Who Are The 24 Elders In Heaven - Bible Hint And so, presbyteros or presbyteroi, in the plural, are elders, and they are those who serve the church by ruling and governing the church under Christ. They put their crowns down before the throne and say: 11 "Our Lord and God! No description is given of the elders overcoming in the games exercises self-control. All the Old Testament views of the Throne of God show only one throne with the exception of Daniel 7:9 which is an end times view, so these elders cant be some special order of angelic or human rulers in place from the beginning. When King David realized that the number of priests in Israel was too large for effective service in the Tabernacle, he separated them into 24 rotating groups. The elders do not receive crowns, they already have them. Gods flock. There is no compulsion that they stand for something else. Alexandrian manuscripts. have been a resurrection to the immortal bodies, but a resurrection from sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.. They dont belong to me. of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, then theres The New Testament makes reference to one of the priestly courses when it states that the father of John the Baptist was a priest who served in Abia's (Abijah's) course (Luke 1:5). 11 Facts: 24 Elders in the Bible - Jesus Leadership Training They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From this passage, we see the truth that the 24 elders are surrounding the throne of Jesus. Why Cant I Get To Heaven Through Good Works? Jesus returns for His Second Coming at the Battle of Armageddon. The beginning of Revelation 4 describes a transition from the age of the church on earth through the resurrection. 3. They have thrones, so theyre rulers. The lives of those in need will be saved. Youll be the one casting your crown in an eternal act of joyous worship towards your Savior who sits upon the very seat over all authority. We know that the twenty-four elders are not redeemed human beings because no man except Jesus Christ ( John 3:13) has ascended to heaven where God's throne is. The 24 Elders are not claimed anywhere within the pages of scripture as being associated with a Pretrib Rapture. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Church age believers are promised that they will reign with Christ. the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, The four living creatures in Revelation - Who are they? But what we need to understand, and what pastors in particular need to understand, is that the elders they are serving alongside, the elders that I serve alongside, are fellow elders of mine, and I am a fellow elder of theirs. it just that the song is written from the perspective of the human saints, sleep in their mortal bodies. He shall rule from the river unto the ends of the earth. that important to understand, but it is always good to at least try to understand Are they symbolic of something, are they angels, or are they the church? 9. They surround the Throne of God, so they're assisting Him. |