Bill,

             You had offered some very interesting possible identifications of the four and twenty elders.

Your last suggestion:

“If not, then the 24 Elders are a priestly class of Angels.”

was a pretty cool thought.

However, there was something they sing in the fifth chapter, that made me wonder if that suggestion may not be possible:

 

Revelation 5:8 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.

9 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;

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

 

The four beasts fall down with them, but it appears that these four and twenty elders are claiming to have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

And that they came out of every kindred, tongue, and nation; they are made kings & priests; and they will reign on the earth.

It would be hard for them to be angels.

                          Gino