Hi Marilynn,
 
Just wanted to clarify something you wrote:
 
Marilynn-  APPLYING THAT NOTE, IT WOULD SAY: "...[incense] , which are the prayers of saints. And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the [scroll], and to open its seals; for thou wast slain, and HAST REDEEMED to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And HAST MADE THEM unto our God [a kingdom of] priests, and they shall reign on the earth."

The saints "sang a new song" to Jesus.
 
If you go back to the beginning of the verse you are quoting it would say, "the four living creatures and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden bowls full of the incense, which are the prayers of the saint.
 
And they say a new song saying, "
 
The object of the sentence are the four living creatures and four and twenty elders- the rest is descriptive of them.  So are the bowls singing a new song, is the incense singing a new song, or the living creatures and elders.  No where in the verse is it saying or suggesting that the singing is coming from the saints.
 
Then:
 
 

Marilynn-        Rev. 4:1-4 (KJV in eSword) says, "After this I (John, one of the 12 apostles) looked, and, behold, A DOOR WAS OPENED IN HEAVEN: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, COME UP HITHER, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter (i.e., after the Rapture). 2  And immediately I was (ginomai, lit., became) in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one (Jesus) sat on the throne. 3  And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper (last stone in the breastplate) and a sardine stone (first stone in the breastplate, i.e., Jesus is the first and the last): and there was a rainbow (i.e., Saturn's rings) round about the throne (i.e., on Saturn), in sight like unto an emerald (Judah's stone in the breastplate, i.e., Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah). 4  And 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."

In his miracle play, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Jesus cast John as both narrator and actor. Here, he is actually sitting on his throne as well as telling the story. The 24 elders are the 12 patriarchs and the 12 apostles of Israel. They will not sit on their thrones until after the First-Trump Rapture.        
 
John is sitting on the throne?  The scripture says that Jesus is sitting on the throne.  They were seated yes, but not on thrones.  Why?  Probably because their crowns were stephanos not diadems.  They were ornamental depicting a position but not judicial in that they demonstrated power. 
 
Later, you will see Christ with many crowns and they are diadems.  They demonstrate position as well as the power and authority to administer rulership.
 

Marilynn-        Mat_19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL SIT IN THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

When does Jesus sit in the throne of his glory? At the First-Trump Rapture. When that happens, the 12 apostles shall "sit upon twelve thrones".
 
WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL SIT IN THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY -  In Rev 4 you have the picture drawn of God Almighty sitting on His throne.  The 4 living creatures and the elders are around the throne worshipping him. Something monumental happens that causes God to pick up the scroll.  It happens after the elders place their crowns before God-( not before Christ)  God has a scroll in his hand looking for someone worthy of opening it.  What does the scroll represent?  It is the title deed for the earth that is still under Satans jurisdiction but Gods ultimate authority. ( It is what was forfeited by Adam and Eve in the fall, the right to rule the earth and have dominion over it.  )  The redemption of the earth and mankind is at stake and John is weeping because no one is found worthy to redeem that which was lost.  Then the lamb enters the scene, standing in the midst of the throne and the living creatures and elders.  Notice-  Not Seated.    It is after Christ takes the scroll that the new song is sung and the verification that a group of kings and priest are in place, that the title deed for the earth is broken open and the process of procuring the earth ensues.  It is during this time that Christ position changes from the lamb that was slain - the office after the priestly duties of Aaron- to office of king/priest- after the order of Melchisidec.  Now Christ is going to be seen sitting in His Glory as King and the position of authority over Israel is going to be given to the 12 apostles.  Not before.  No way are the apostles given their positions of authority without  the "President" or King,  being given his position first.