Greetings to all in His glorious Name:

THE 24 ELDERS
Shaking out some of the flotsam and jetsam in my brain today, I gave some thought to these 24 fellows (Revelation 4: 4-10), who appear to have overcome all, and sit in the heavenlies when John is "caught up" at his invitation to "come up hither",,,,,that is, the rapture of the church.  Although many, many studies attempt to show that these gold-crowned, white-robed "elders", are anything and everything except representative of the calling up of the church.   I even have read where they are "angels".  But angels don't get crowned as far as I know correct me if I am wrong.
      Then a scripture  occurred to me, and I would like you doves to consider this, and get back to me (not with stones please...).
But please read the verses carefully first...........and see what I have underlined at the end.
That scripture is:

Hebrews 11:32-40  32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided  some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Now I certainly do not want to presume upon myself any attribute whatsoever, that should be any kind of pre-requisite conditioning these Old-Testament saints seem to require from "us", as it would seem must be added to their dismal lives of martyrdom, so that they may be made perfect.  In fact, quite the oposite, I should like to have them help me out a little in walking a life pleasing to God.
      Which brings me back to the 24 elders.   It would appear that John saw these saints in heaven, and "perfected".   If they (the Old Testament saints and prophets) are seen as a portion of these 24 with crowns (most people say they are the foundational apostles and prophets upon which we build...), then wouldn't it follow that "that better thing which God has provided for "us", has indeed been provided, in order for the 24 to be perfected?
      I may be way off course here, not unusual for me,,,,,,and now I have another thing to worry about---that "better thing" that God is providing.  Just what is it, and do I have it????  Back to the prayer cushion.................please advise.....YSIC   Arlene