Here is Christ in the presence of God, the four beasts and four and twenty elders:
“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 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 odours, which are the prayers of saints." (Revelation 5:6-8)
This gives us some clue who the four beasts and four and twenty elders are:
"And they sung 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; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)
That and the passage below may tell us who one is: John who wrote the book:
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6-7)
We could assume it was a "generic" statement: that everyone would be a king or priest in heaven; but are the four and twenty elders really in heaven? John wasn't: not at the time he wrote Revelation 1; or at least it doesn't appear he was. There is also this:
"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:" (Hebrews 9:24)
So, who are they? Jesus said the apostles would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes (Mat 19:28.) Are the 24 elders the apostles and other early saints like Barnabas? Are the 4 beasts those who wrote the Gospels?
I would really like to know.
Dan
“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 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 odours, which are the prayers of saints." (Revelation 5:6-8)
This gives us some clue who the four beasts and four and twenty elders are:
"And they sung 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; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)
That and the passage below may tell us who one is: John who wrote the book:
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6-7)
We could assume it was a "generic" statement: that everyone would be a king or priest in heaven; but are the four and twenty elders really in heaven? John wasn't: not at the time he wrote Revelation 1; or at least it doesn't appear he was. There is also this:
"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:" (Hebrews 9:24)
So, who are they? Jesus said the apostles would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes (Mat 19:28.) Are the 24 elders the apostles and other early saints like Barnabas? Are the 4 beasts those who wrote the Gospels?
I would really like to know.
Dan
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