24 Elders (Rev. 4:4)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 04/12/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                              Focus:  24 Elders

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Revelations 4:4

 

            Message of the verse:  “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”  (NAS95)  “Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.”  (NLT)

            Verse four continues to explain more of the scene in heaven.  The verse tells of twenty-four thrones that surround the throne of God the Father, and seated on these twenty-four thrones are twenty-four elders.  The question arises as to who these twenty-four elders are or who do they represent?  It is not likely that they are angels; for one thing the word “elder” from the Greek does not mean an angel.  Most likely these are men who represent the Church age, as they are clothed in white and have crowns upon their heads.  Believers are told that they will be dressed in white garments and also believers can earn crowns for their work done on earth for the cause of Christ.  It is possible that the number twenty-four means that these could represent the two groups of those who belong to God, for there were twelve tribes of Israel, and there were twelve apostles in the New Testament. 

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I believe that everything that is in God’s Word has meaning, but not all of what is in His Word is understood by man, and so it may not be so important to understand why there are twenty-four elders sitting around the throne of God, but it is at the same time interesting to look at the different possibilities as to what this could mean.  These are the kinds of things that are not worth being dogmatic about and also not to argue about for they are not part of the unity that holds believers together.

 

The Word of God has been a challenge and it was also convicting to me as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Trust the Lord will give us a good day working on the bathroom today, that He will guide our steps.