[Music] who are the 24 Elders Saints or Angels beyond our cognition and perception exists a magnificent throne room in heaven which radiates with Divine Light and Power this place is incredibly special as it's the dwelling place of the most powerful being in the universe the story of John's Journey to the island of Patmos and his subsequent Visions including that of the 24 Elders is one of the most fascinating episodes in the Bible within this Supernatural realm there is a circle of 24 Elders in white robes and golden crowns sitting on Thrones around the main Throne who are these figures and why are they here firstly these Elders appear in Revelation specifically in chapters 4-9 they're mentioned 12 times in passages like Revelation 4:4 which says around the throne were 24 Thrones and seated on the Thrones were 24 Elders clothed in white garments with golden crowns on their heads that's pretty impressive but here's the catch we're not exactly sure who they are the debate has generally boiled down to two main ideas some believe these Elders are Saints from the church age basically faithful followers of Christ imagine that regular humans like you and me but rewarded for their faithfulness the other view is that these Elders are some kind of angelic beings picture these Majestic powerful creatures serving God in heaven so which is it are they Saints or Angels well make sure you listen till the end of this video to find out who they really are the answer will shock you even experts have been wrestling with this for a long time each side has its arguments and not all of them are equally convincing for instance supporters of the Saints Theory might point to Revelation 5:9 where the elders sing a song about being Redeemed by jesus' blood that sounds like something Saints would do right and they sang a new song of Glorious Redemption saying worthy and deserving are you to take the scroll and to break its seals for you were slain sacrificed and with your blood you purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and Nation Revelation 5:9 on the other hand those who think the elders are angels argue that their place in heaven and the roles in the vision seem more fitting for Celestial beings than for human Saints Revelation 4 is like the opening scene of a grand play and guess what there's little to no mention of human characters in the scene mostly Celestial beings and divine elements Revelation mentions that believers will sit on Thrones and receive crowns but there's a catch and then I saw Thrones and setting on them were those to whom judgment that is the authority to act as judges was given and I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God and those who had refused to worship the Beast or his image and had not accepted his mark on their forehead and on their hand and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years Revelation 20 verse4 they do not appear to be Angels finally remember how incredibly astonishing Angels usually are in Revelation whenever John encounters angels He so overwhelmed that he falls to worship them not once but twice but when he interacts with the 24 Elders there's none of that overwhelming awe John never Falls doesn't that make you wonder wouldn't JN have reacted similarly if these Elders were as Celestial and onsp spiring as angels can the 24 Elders mention in the Book of Revelation be Angelic beings to get to the bottom of this we need to sift through some fascinating biblical Clues and arguments and here's a kicker angels are never described as sitting on Thrones or wearing crowns throughout the Bible crowns typically symbolize Victory or authority something more in line with humans especially those who have persevered in their faith so when we look at all these points the 24 Elders representing Angelic beings might not hold up under scrutiny their characteris itics and roles as described in Revelation align more closely with those of redeemed humans particularly in the context of the broader biblical narrative the picture of Thrones crowns and the language of redemption resonates more with the idea of humans especially those who have overcome through their faith in Christ rather than Celestial beings like Angels while the idea of the elders being Angels is attractive the biblical evidence leans more towards them being representative of redeemed Humanity particularly when we consider the specific roles and significance associated with them in Revelation proofs that they are representatives of God's people proof one Angels don't rule and don't wear crowns in the Bible angels are messengers and Servants of God not rulers they appear in many roles but ruling isn't one of them 24 other Thrones surrounded the throne and seated on these Thrones were 24 Elders dressed in white clothing with crowns of gold on their heads Revelation 4:4 crowns in the Bible especially in the New Testament often symbolize the reward and Authority given to those who have overcome trials and remain remain faithful it's like a Heavenly well done for enduring the trials on Earth this aligns more with humans especially Believers rather than Angels proof two 24 represents leaders representing God's people the number 24 is significant and it stands for the role of priests because it is made up of 12 multiplied by two 12 often stands for God's Power Authority and a perfect starting point also the number 24 is linked to worshiping God especially in the Jerusalem Temple in 1 Chronicles 24 King David organizes the priests into 24 groups these groups represented the entire priesthood all serving God's people these groups collectively represented the priest Ed as a whole serving on behalf of all of God's people now Zoom forward to Revelation could the 24 Elders be a similar complete representation but this time of the entire redeemed people of God it's like every believer is represented in these Elders from every time and place the 24 Elders could represent the complete representation of God's redeemed people both from the Old Testament and the New Testament it's like having representatives from all ages and parts of God's story proof three fulfill the promises to God's people in the early chapters of Revelation Jesus makes several promises to those who overcome these include authority over Nations a Crown of Life and A Place In God's Presence sitting on Thrones and Crown the elders are living out these promises they're like the ultimate Overcomers enjoying the rewards Jesus Promised his faithful followers and all the Angels were standing around the throne and around the 24 elders and the four living creatures and they fell to their faces before the throne and worshiped God Revelation 7:1 the scene in Revelation shows the elders falling on their faces Before the Throne of God proof four Not Angels a short description of angels when we compare the description of angels elsewhere in the Bible to the elders in Revelation we see distinct differences Angels usually appear with messages or to perform specific tasks on God's behalf they often cause fear in those who see them the elders roles are more reflective of glorified human beings than of angels now let's consider a few questions to deepen our understanding if the 24 Elders represent complete and orderly priesthood as shown in 1 Chronicles chapter 24 doesn't it make sense that they could represent the complete representation of the redeemed from both the Old and New Testaments when we see the qualities of church leaders in Timothy the an Titus and then look at the elders in Revelation leading Worship in heaven could this imply that they represent the Pinnacle of Christian leadership and faithfulness and finally with the promises of Jesus in John chap 14 The Hope given in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and the victory over death in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 isn't it possible that the elders represent those who have been caught up and transformed and are now living in the Fulfillment of these promises role on Earth the criteria for someone to be an overseer or a leader in the church is quite demanding showing us that not everyone could qualify to be in this position the overseer must be above reproach faithful to his wife temperate self-controlled respectable hospitable able to teach not given to drunkenness not violent but gentle not quarrelsome not a lover of money 1 Timothy 3: 2-3 the passage emphasizes that a leader should live a life that's morally sound and an example to others it's not just about being good at leading it's about being a good person overall now how does this connect to the elders in Revelation the 24 Elders are seen as leaders in heaven this is significant because it shows that they're not just any random group they're seen as worthy respected and authoritative figures this is a faithful and trustworthy saying if any man eagerly seeks the office of overseer Bishop superintendent he desires an excellent task now an overseer must be blameless and Beyond reproach the husband of one wife self-controlled sensible respectable hospitable able to teach not addicted to Wine Not a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed but gentle and considerate free from the Love of Money not greedy for wealth and its inherent power financially ethical he must manage his own household well keeping his children under control with all dignity keeping them respectful and well behaved for if a man does not know how to manage his own household how will he take care of the Church of God and he must not be a new convert so that he will not behave stupidly and become conceited by appointment to this High office and fall into the same condemnation incurred by the devil for his arrogance and pride and he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil's trap 1 Timothy chapter 3: 1-7 think about it this way the elders in Revelation could be like the ultimate fulfillment of what Paul is talking about in Timothy they're not just leading they're leading in heaven so when we read about the qualifications for church leaders in first Timothy and then see the elders in Revelation in their glorified State it's like seeing the end result of a life well- lived according to God's standards it's almost as if the Bible is saying if you live a life of Integrity faith and service like the leaders Paul describes you could be honored like the elders in heaven the connection here is about leadership and character the elders in Revelation might represent what it looks like when someone really lives up to the ideals Paul sets out in Timothy not just leading effectively but living righteously it's a pretty powerful and inspiring thought in Titus 1: 5-9 Paul is giving instructions to Titus about setting up Church leadership he says the reason I left you in Creed was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and Appo elders and every town as I directed you Titus 1: 5 the passage then goes on to describe the qualities these Elders should have they must be blameless faithful to their spouse have believing children not be overbearing or quick-tempered not given to drunkenness or violence not pursuing dishonest gain instead they should be hospitable lovers of good self-controlled upright holy and disciplined they must hold firmly to the trustworthy message and be able to encourage others with sound Doctrine and refute those who oppose it for this reason I left you behind in Creed so that you would set right what remains unfinished and a point point Elders in every city as I directed you namely a man of unquestionable integrity the husband of one wife having children who believe not accused of being immoral or rebellious for the overseer as God's Steward must be blameless not self-willed not quick-tempered not addicted to Wine not violent not greedy for dishonest gain but financially ethical and he must be hospitable to Believers as well as strangers a lover of what is good sensible upright Fair devout self-disciplined above reproach whether in public or in private he must hold firmly to the trustworthy word of God as it was taught to him so that he will be able to both give accurate instruction in sound reliable error-free Doctrine and to refute those who contradict it by explaining their error Titus 1: 5-9 so how does this connect with the elders in Revelation leadership and Authority both in Titus and Revelation Elders are associated with leadership and Authority in Titus they are the leaders of the church responsible for guiding and teaching in Revelation the elders sit on Thrones around God's Throne symbolizing Authority and leadership in the Heavenly realm it's like the Earthly role of guiding and teaching the church transforms into a Heavenly role of reigning with Christ character qualities the elders and Titus are described as being blameless self-controlled upright and holy this is interesting because it suggests what kind of people might be represented by the 24 Elders in Revelation if the elders in Revelation symbolize the redeemed Believers then these qualities in Titus give us a clue about what kind of lives these Believers LED on Earth lives marked by godliness and adherence to sound Doctrine holding to the faith in both Titus and Revelation there's an emphasis on holding firmly to Faith titus's Elders must be able to teach sound Doctrine and refute false teachings the elders in Revelation are seen worshiping God and are part of the Heavenly seen because of their faithfulness it's like saying see these are the ones who held on to their faith through it all in simple terms the connection between Titus Chapter 1 veres 5-9 and the elders in Revelation can be seen in their roles As Leaders their Godly characters and their commitment to the faith the elders in Titus give us a picture of what faithful Godly leadership looks like on Earth then when we look at revelation we see a picture of what the ultimate reward for such faithful leadership could be a place of honor and Authority in God's Heavenly Kingdom it's a beautiful illustration of how faithfulness on Earth is honored in heaven these passages in Timothy and Titus talk about the qualities of church leaders if we apply this to the 24 Elders could it be that they represent the ultimate fulfillment of Godly leadership think about it these elders and Revelation are seen leading worship and casting their crowns before God's throne could they symbolize the best of Christian leadership presented before God in a glorified State also the 24 Elders are amongst three beings that surround the Throne of Heaven the second being is the cherubim the cherubim are Celestial beings created by God they appear in the Bible after Adam and Eve's Fall From Grace Genesis 3 describes what happened in the Garden of Eden after disobeying God's command not to eat from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil Adam and Eve could have also Weeden from the Tree of Life and lived forever as a result they were forced to leave their Earthly Paradise but what would have stopped Adam from going back to the garden and disobeying God again the answer is given in this verse Genesis 3 3: 24 so he drove the man out and at the east of the Garden of Eden he stationed the cheram and the Flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the Tree of Life what a terrible situation it would have been if Adam had eaten from the Tree of Life and thus been forever established in his Fallen State therefore God sent a group of Glorious and trusted cherubim to guard access to the tree and prevent that from happening in Exodus 25 Moses was given specific and detailed instructions on how to make several articles of furniture that would be used in the Tabernacle the Ark of the Covenant and The Mercy Seat where God promised to meet and commune with Moses were the first to be detailed what did God want to go over or on top of The Mercy Seat he shows representations of the cherubim in Gold what an awesome sight that must have been the cherubim associated with the very presence of God from those two sources in the Bible it appears as though the cherubim's major responsibility may be to declare man's sinfulness and protect the presence of God from sinful men the cheran Maran in Ezekiel 10 as having not not only wings and hands but also being full of Eyes encompassed by Wheels within Wheels the cherubim are associated with God's Splendor this chapter is one of the Bible's most cryptic and yet evocative passages about God's Grandeur and it involves Angelic beings they constantly glorify God the cherim living creatures serve as a motivation for the 24 Elders to to engage in worship because the cherubim worships God at all hours of the day and night the elders do as well the last being at the Throne of God is the aanm the ofanim are deeply intertwined with the movements and will of God when the living creatures moved the wheels beside them moved and when the living creatures Rose from the ground the wheels also Rose is eel 1: 19 the term aony originates from Hebrew meaning Wheels which describes their unique representation in the scriptures ofms are unique compared to other types of angels they are shown as both amazing Spiritual Beings and mysterious symbols as for the wheels it was Cried unto them in my hearing oh wheel is Ezekiel 10:3 the offy are closely connected to God's Throne showing they have an important Place among Heavenly beings the wheel is a symbol in the context of the offen it suggests an ongoing Dynamic presence in the execution of divine will their appearance the living creatures mentioned alongside the wheels appear elsewhere in the Bible for instance similar beings are described in Revelation 4: 6-8 suggesting a common theme of divine presence and Majesty also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass clear as crystal in the center around the throne were four living creatures and they were covered with eyes in front and in back the first living creature creature was like a lion the second was like an ox the third had a face like a man the fourth was like a flying eagle each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around even under its wings day and night they never stopped saying holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come this scripture provides a detailed and symbolic description of a vision experienced by the Apostle John this Vision like ezekiel's vision of the opony features Celestial beings and is rich in details John talks about a throne in heaven which represents God's powerful and supreme rule the scene reflects the overwhelming Holiness and Majesty of God's presence the diverse forms of the creatures might represent various aspects of God's creation strength lion service Ox intelligence human and swiftness Eagle the movement of the opim symbolizes God's ability to be present in all places and see all things the wheel's eyes and their ability to move in any direction without hindrance reflect God's omniscience all all knowing nature and omnipresence the fact that the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels suggests a deep interconnectedness between the aony and God the aony mentioned in the Bible are often classified as Angels but their unique characteristics set them apart from the typical depiction of Angels the opm's role seems to be closely linked to God's throne which means they have a role in God's presence in carrying out his plans on a larger universe-wide scale this is a bit different from the usual role of angels who act as Messengers or guides for people often them have had a big impact on art books and popular culture their description in the Book of Ezekiel has led to many different kinds of art about them from old religious paintings to days digital images this has helped change how people in Western culture think of angels they seen not only as Messengers that look like humans but also as deep symbols of the mysterious and divine over the centuries artists have been captivated by the unique description of the aony in ancient religious art they were often depicted in accordance with ezekiel's vision emphasizing their other their worldly and mysterious nature this portrayal challenged the conventional depiction of angels as humanlike figures with wings instead artists explored more abstract and symbolic representations highlighting the Divine mystery and omnipresence associated with the opony in modern times this influence extends to digital art and visual media the aim have been pictured in in many different ways from dreamy and symbolic styles to more realistic drawings of wheels and eyes this change in how they are showing an art shows both a lasting interest in these beings and a wider effort to creatively Express spiritual ideas the impact of the OPM goes beyond just art in books and stories these angels have encouraged authors to write about topics like godliness with mysterious spiritual truths and other worldly phenomena in popular culture the ofanim have appeared in various forms from characters and fantasy novels and films to motifs in video games and graphic novels these representations mix classic ideas from the Bible with modern views attracting many people and making them more interested in the mysterious parts of studying angels importance of the Throne of God the Throne of God is the center of divine Authority and power it's the place some where God's choices judgments and plans come out affecting the whole universe the throne signifies God's governance over all aspects of creation both the physical and the spiritual Realms it's a reminder of the order and balance maintained by the Divine will from his throne God gives out fairness and kindness It's a place where God sense of what's right and his caring nature come together showing us a full picture of who he is throughout the Bible the Throne of God is a focal point of worship and praise acknowledging God's ultimate Authority and benevolence in many biblical Visions the throne is where God's presence is most directly experienced it's often depicted as the center of heavenly activity immediately I was in the spirit and behold a throne was standing in heaven and one sitting on the throne Revelation 4 verse two the throne is also where God dispenses judgment and mercy highlighting his role as the ultimate judge and Redeemer from the throne came flashes of lightning and Rumblings and peels of Thunder Revelation 4:5 the flashes of lightning Rumblings and peels of Thunder represent how powerful and Majestic God is this type of description is commonly found in the Bible to show how God's presence is powerful and really amazing this Vision sets the stage for the Heavenly worship that follows in the later verses of Revelation 4 the way it's described makes you feel a deep respect and amazement which is just right for worshiping God how can we apply this to our lives today faithfulness is rewarded the elders are seen as crowned and seated on Thrones suest they have been honored for their faithfulness for us today this is a powerful reminder Remer that our faithfulness to God is noticed and will be rewarded it's like God telling us your struggles and perseverance in faith aren't in vain doesn't that give you a sense of hope and encouragement leadership and responsibility the elders represent leadership this reminds us that in our lives this can be a call to be responsible and exemplify Godly lead leadership no matter where we are in our families workplaces communities or churches it's about leading with integrity and following God's principles just like the elders worship is Central the elders are often seen worshiping God as in Revelation 4: 10- 11 the 24 Elders fall down before him who sits on the throne throne and worship him who lives forever and ever they lay their crowns Before the Throne and say you are worthy our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power this part of their narrative reminds us that worship should be a central part of our Lives it's not just about singing songs on Sunday it's about living in a way that honors God and ackn es his greatness in everything we do isn't it amazing to think of Our Lives as an act of worship unity in diversity the number 24 represents both the Old and New Testament Believers 12 tribes of Israel plus 12 Apostles this gives us a picture of unity across different times cultures and backgrounds it's a beautiful reminder for us today today to strive for a unity in our diverse communities and churches how can we work towards understanding and embracing each other's differences just like the elders represent a unified body of Believers Heavenly perspective finally the elders give us a glimpse into the Heavenly realm it encourages us to have an eternal perspective and to remember that there's more to life than just our current struggles and joys it's about focusing on the bigger picture and the promise of Eternity with God let us pray Heavenly Father creator of all that exists both seen and unseen we come before you with hearts full of reverence and wonder seeking wisdom and understanding about the mysteries of your heavenly Kingdom today we think about the mysterious 24 elders mentioned in the Bible and try to understand why they are important to us Lord as we delve into the mysteries of your word we acknowledge that there are things beyond our full comprehension such as the true nature of the 24 Elders in revelation God we remember how amazing your creation is both things we can see and things we can't just like you may the stars in the sky you also made a spiritual world full of beings who always praise and work for you in the image of the 24 Elders we see a picture of worship and submission to your Divine Authority a powerful example for us on Earth Lord whether these Elders are Saints or angels we know they represent a reality of constant worship and adoration in your presence help us to draw inspiration from this to live our lives from a position of reverence and worship teach us to be like the elders who lay their crowns before your throne recognizing your supreme authority and Grace in our lives we pray for a spirit of humility and devotion mirring the attitude of these Heavenly beings let their example remind us that all glory and honor Belong To You may we in our daily lives demonstrate the same kind of selfless worship acknowledging your lordship over all creation as the elders Sing of Your Holiness and cast their crowns before you let us also recognize the temporary nature of Earthly achievements and accolades remind us Lord that our ultimate purpose and greatest joy lie not in the accolades we receive but in the worship and service we offer to you may Our lives our work and our achievements always point back to you the source of all wisdom and Authority in moments of uncertainty or when we encounter the mysteries of Faith like the question of the 24 Elders grant us the grace to trust in your our sovereignty help us to find peace in the knowledge that some things are beyond our understanding yet nothing is beyond your control we ask for the wisdom to discern the lessons we can learn from the figures and significance in your word let the examples of the 24 Elders Inspire us to live lives of faithful service constant worship and unwavering Devotion to you finally Lord we pray for Unity in our understanding and interpretation of your word just like the group of 24 Elders come together to praise and love you help us join together in our search for knowledge and in our shared times of worship let's hope that our talks and thoughts about the Deep questions of Faith bring us closer together and closer to you rather than disag agreements We Lay these prayers before you trusting in your unending wisdom and Grace May Our Lives reflect the worship and reverence exemplified by the 24 elders and in all things may we seek to glorify your holy name amen amen amen