In Rev. 4:1 John is taken to the throne room to witness the events that will take place after the completion of the church age of Rev. 2 and 3. His translation is a picture of the rapture of the bride. He sees the 24 elders before the throne.

Rev. 4:⁴And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Rev.4:¹⁰The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Rev. 5: ⁹And 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; ¹⁰And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

To summarize:

they were before the throne before the start of the tribulation,

they had crowns of gold,

they were redeemed

by the blood of Jesus

out of every people and nation

and made kings and priests

and they shall reign on earth

1) What is the ONLY group of people that ALL of these verses can apply to? Here are some clues:

1 Peter 5:4, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Cor. 6:2, Rev. 20:4, 2 Peter 1:5, 2 Peter 1:9, Rev. 1:6

2) WHO was the book of Revelation written TO?

Rev. 1:⁴John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; ⁵And 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, ⁶And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

3) Since the 24 Elders are already in heaven casting their crowns before the Lord opens the very first seal, when did they get them?

Rev.2:¹²And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

For further reflection: the number 24 means "The Priesthood".

The 24 Elders

Linda Vegh

Rapture Watch Forum

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27