12 elders? all i read is 24 elders: Rev 4.4, 10; 5.8.
“Rev. 4:4 On twenty-four thrones sat twenty-four elders. Their number may reflect the orders of priests serving in the OT temple (cf. 1 Chron. 24:7–19) but more likely they symbolize the unity of God’s people, encompassing OT Israel (led by the heads of the 12 tribes) and the NT church (led by the 12 apostles), like the new Jerusalem’s 12 gates and 12 foundations (Rev. 21:12, 14). Their thrones resemble those of God’s heavenly court in Dan. 7:9–10 (cf. Rev. 20:4). Some interpreters believe that these elders are angels, and that therefore they do not include themselves among the redeemed in 5:8–10.” ESV study notes
I agree with the ESV note. In earthly antiquity, elders were tribal chiefs. In city-states, they were judges who sat at the gates and ruled city life.
The book of Revelation reveals that the 24 elders in heaven have 24 thrones, which suggests that they pass judgment and probably rule life in heaven. They also seem to lead heaven’s citizens as they worship God (Revelation 4.4, 10; 5.8, 14; 11.16; 19.4).
The Bible teaches that certain things of God on earth are patterned after things in heaven (e.g., Hebrews 8.5; 9.23). For example, earthly Jerusalem was patterned after heavenly, New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22). And Jerusalem’s temple and its altar were patterned after that in heaven. Therefore, it seems that the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ providentially came into existence because of the pattern of 24 elders in heaven.
June 11, 2009 at 1:56 pm |
I would love to know who the twelve elders are in Revelation, since I’ve been accepting of the idea that no man enters heaven. Thankyou.
June 12, 2009 at 3:29 pm |
Those 12 elders are most likely angels.
June 12, 2009 at 7:27 pm |
12 elders? all i read is 24 elders: Rev 4.4, 10; 5.8.
“Rev. 4:4 On twenty-four thrones sat twenty-four elders. Their number may reflect the orders of priests serving in the OT temple (cf. 1 Chron. 24:7–19) but more likely they symbolize the unity of God’s people, encompassing OT Israel (led by the heads of the 12 tribes) and the NT church (led by the 12 apostles), like the new Jerusalem’s 12 gates and 12 foundations (Rev. 21:12, 14). Their thrones resemble those of God’s heavenly court in Dan. 7:9–10 (cf. Rev. 20:4). Some interpreters believe that these elders are angels, and that therefore they do not include themselves among the redeemed in 5:8–10.” ESV study notes
August 30, 2009 at 11:59 am |
I agree with the ESV note. In earthly antiquity, elders were tribal chiefs. In city-states, they were judges who sat at the gates and ruled city life.
The book of Revelation reveals that the 24 elders in heaven have 24 thrones, which suggests that they pass judgment and probably rule life in heaven. They also seem to lead heaven’s citizens as they worship God (Revelation 4.4, 10; 5.8, 14; 11.16; 19.4).
The Bible teaches that certain things of God on earth are patterned after things in heaven (e.g., Hebrews 8.5; 9.23). For example, earthly Jerusalem was patterned after heavenly, New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22). And Jerusalem’s temple and its altar were patterned after that in heaven. Therefore, it seems that the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ providentially came into existence because of the pattern of 24 elders in heaven.
August 30, 2009 at 11:26 pm |
on a similar note, are angels immortal?