Prayer – Lord, inspire and help me to understand this mysterious section of Your revelation. Who are these people—the twenty-four elders? I am glad that You, Jesus, are worthy to open the scroll when that time comes—and even now I sing “Worthy is the Lamb!”
Meditate. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.
Who are the twenty-four elders—where do they come from? The
first time we see that number of elders is in Revelation Four.
Twenty-four thrones
surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in
white and had gold crowns on their heads. Revelation 4:4
We continue to see those twenty-four elders worshipping the
Lord God Almighty at His throne.
The twenty-four
elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground
and worshiped him. Revelation 11:16
Then the twenty-four
elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting
on the throne. They cried out, "Amen! Praise the LORD!" Revelation
19:4
The twenty-four elders are not a literal number, according
to several commentaries, but represent all those believing in Jesus as their
Lord and Savior. This concept of “kingdom of priests” was promised to the Israelites
during their exodus as a reward for obedience to God’s covenants.
‘And you will be my
kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' This is the message you must give to the
people of Israel. Exodus 19:6
John testifies near the beginning of the book of Revelation
that Jesus has made His believers into a kingdom and priests to serve God.
He (Jesus)
has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him
forever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:6
Here in Revelation Five, we see that this elder group of
priests will reign on earth. Clothed in pure white robes, washed in the blood
of Jesus, these elders each have a harp and a bowl of incense—as we’ve often
associated with angels in heaven. This portion of scripture assures us that it
in not angels, but human believers that have harps and incense. So, as
believers, we can hope to be part of this group of elders serving God. For sure
we will be falling down before God’s throne and worshipping Him.
And you have caused
them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.
Revelation 5:10
Where will you be among this crowd? One of the elders? Are
you a believer now? If so, share your conviction with another person, praying
that at least the seed of truth about Jesus is planted in their heart and that
one day you will stand side-by-side before the throne of God—worshipping Him in
heaven.
Verse of Salvation ~ For the commandments say, "You
must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not
covet." These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one
commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to
others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law. This is all the more
urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our
salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost
gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like
dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Romans 13:9-12
(Underlined for emphasis.)
© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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