The 24 Elders Before The Throne Of God And Their Functions According To The Book Of Revelation

The 24 Elders In Before The Throne Of God In The Book Of Revelation.

There is a clear description of places and events in the book of revelation. Things to come and things that already have are detailed in this great book. In the description of events and places, John of Patmos saw the throne room of God and he detailed it in his writings. He described the throne of God and the things around it. In Revelation chapter 4 and 5 there are details of God's throne and the fascinating subject of this article, the 24 elders in

Now, we know of the ranking of the most powerful beings in heaven, I once ranked Angels from the most before down to the least in an article. However, I didn't exactly mention these elders as the most powerful nor did I rank them as angels. The ranking was for angels and since these beings were not exactly described as angels, I could not in good conscience include them into the ranking of angels.

To properly consider who and of what function these 24 elders perform, we must first take a look at the earthly version of men who sit in the council of kings. Every king around the world has those who sit in his council, they advise the king in actions to take and make supplications for members of the communities or nation. Now it gets interesting because we then consider these 24 elders as chiefs in the presence of God. But of course, God takes no advice from no one, he is God after all but then these elders could not simply be created to sit there? They were created for a purpose in the council of God.

Although, some theologians and scholars have come to an assumption that these elders are slain mortals. Mortals who died as Saints and are rewarded with a position in the presence of God. However, this could not be totally relied upon as the verse they quote this from is open to interpretation.

Revelation 5:8-10

[8]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 odors, which are the prayers of Saints.

[9]And they sang 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 to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

[10]And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

In the above verse, we can clearly see that the 24 elders are not humans who passed into heaven as Saints. However, they are powerful spirits created by God to be in His presence forever. The only being that was given the power to raise up into heaven and join the council of God is Jesus. Other men who were taken into heaven are not described to be part of God's counsel.

I previously concluded that these elders are not angels as they were not exactly called or referred to as angels. However, being heavenly beings and great spirits in the council of God, one can associate them to be "angels" in terms of angels being heavenly beings.

The twenty-four elders, then, are a part of the created heavenly host, that is, angels of high rank and honor. They have created spirit beings and have been given positions of responsibility in the government of God, through which He rules the universe. Revelation 5:8 says the elders each have a harp and golden bowls full of incense, symbolic of the prayers of the saints. From these symbols, we can perhaps see a little of their function before God.

As I have previously established, these elders take the supplications/prayers of God's people to him. They take our demands as believers to God. Notice in revelation 5:8 where it says they each have golden bowls full of incense? Well, that golden bowl of incense symbolizes our prayers.

I hope you now have a better understanding of who the elders in the book of revelation are and what they do.