In Revelation 4, John sees God’s throne surrounded by 24 elders. They wear white robes and gold crowns. But who are they? Angels? Saints? Something else? Chuck Missler walks through what Scripture actually says.
Who Are the 24 Elders in Revelation?
John is taken into heaven. He sees lightning, thunder, and worship. Around the throne sit 24 elders. They are not random figures. Everything in Revelation ties back to the Old Testament. Missler says if the book feels strange, it’s because we don’t study the Old Testament enough.
Where Do the 24 Elders Appear Before?
The number 24 first appears in 1 Chronicles 24. King David divided the priesthood into 24 groups. Each group represented all the priests before God. Missler says the same pattern shows up here. The elders represent a complete group. They stand for all who belong to God.
Who They Are Not
Missler clears up three wrong ideas.
- Not Angels: Revelation 7 shows angels and elders as two different groups.
- Not Israel: Israel is listed separately later in the book.
- Not Tribulation Saints: One of the elders explains who those saints are, which means they’re not part of that group.
What Makes Them Different
The elders sit on thrones, wear white robes, and have gold crowns. Those are signs of reward and rule. In Revelation 5, they sing a new song:
“You have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and nation.” Only redeemed humans can sing that. Angels aren’t redeemed. This means the elders are the redeemed Church, made up of believers from every nation.
Kings and Priests
Missler connects the 24 Elders to an older priesthood — Melchizedek’s. He was both king and priest. Jesus holds that same role. Believers share in it too. Revelation 5 says, “You made us kings and priests to our God.” That’s the same title used for the elders.
The Timing Matters
The elders are already in heaven before the Tribulation begins. The seals that start the Tribulation aren’t opened until chapter 6. But the elders are seen worshiping in chapter 4. This shows the Church is already in heaven. Missler says that supports the pre-tribulation rapture view.
The seven lampstands, which symbolized the churches on earth earlier, are also seen in heaven now. The scene shifts from earth to heaven — showing the Church’s new position.
Why It Matters
The elders represent the redeemed — clothed, crowned, and safe with Christ. They worship before God while judgment unfolds on earth. Their presence shows that believers will be with Christ before wrath begins.
Missler ends by urging people to read Revelation for themselves. Every image and number connects back to other parts of Scripture. When we study it that way, the picture becomes clear: Jesus Christ is on the throne, surrounded by His redeemed people.
Revelation Chapter 4
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.
The Throne and Worship of the Creator by the 24 Elders
5 Out from the throne *came flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are [a]the seven spirits of God; 6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the [b]center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night [c]they do not cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who [d]is to come.”
9 And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they [e]existed, and were created.”
Stay Connected with Chuck Missler
To learn more about Chuck Missler, please visit Koinonia House.
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