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EGW: Who are the 24 Elders in Revelation?

Are the 24 elders in Revelation human beings taken to heaven?

AdventAI

Egw quote explaining who the 24 elders or revelation 5 are

AdventAI

The identity of the twenty-four elders in Revelation 5 is revealed through their song of praise to the Lamb. They are those who have been redeemed by Christ's blood from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation, and have been made kings and priests to God to reign on the earth.

The scene in Revelation 5 describes a multitude of angels around the throne, with the four beasts and the elders, whose number is ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. They declare with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." Every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea also joins in this praise. The four beasts say, "Amen," and the twenty-four elders fall down and worship Him who lives forever and ever. Revelation 5:11-14

This worship of the Lamb highlights His worthiness to take the book and open its seals, because He was slain and has redeemed humanity to God by His blood. This redemption is for people from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation, making them kings and priests to God who will reign on the earth. Revelation 5:9-10

In another vision, a Lamb is seen standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 who have the Father's name written on their foreheads. A voice from heaven, like many waters and loud thunder, is heard, along with the sound of harpers. They sing a new song before the throne, the four beasts, and the elders, a song that only the 144,000, who were redeemed from the earth, can learn. These are described as virgins who follow the Lamb wherever He goes, being the firstfruits to God and the Lamb, and in their mouth is found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:1-5

John writes, “I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints. 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; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:6-10.

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb which was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. ... And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth forever and ever.” Revelation 5:11-14.

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is under heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth forever and ever.” Revelation 5:9-14

Sources · 5
  1. 18LtMs, Lt 259, 1903, par. 21Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)Ellen Gould White
  2. 13LtMs, Ms 153, 1898, par. 17Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)Ellen Gould White
  3. 10LtMs, Lt 80a, 1895, par. 21Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)Ellen Gould White
  4. 18MR 27.3Manuscript Releases, vol. 18 [Nos. 1301-1359]Ellen Gould White
  5. 7LtMs, Ms 24, 1891, par. 25Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)Ellen Gould White

Are the 24 elders in the same group as the 144000

AdventAI

The 24 elders and the 144,000 are distinct groups, though both are redeemed individuals who serve God in heaven.

Here's why they are different:

  • The 24 Elders: These individuals are seen in heaven, clothed in white raiment and wearing golden crowns, symbolizing their completed conflict and gained victory. They plainly state in their song of praise that they were "redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation". This song is sung before the events of the seven seals begin, indicating they were redeemed and in heaven at an early stage of prophetic fulfillment. Some believe they represent those who rose from their graves when Christ was resurrected and ascended with Him to heaven, as mentioned in Matthew 27:52-53 and Ephesians 4:8. They are also described as assistants to Christ in His mediatorial work and are seen offering the prayers of the saints Revelation 5:8.

  • The 144,000: This group is described as standing on Mount Zion with the Lamb Revelation 14:1. They are specifically identified as being "redeemed from the earth" Revelation 14:3 and "redeemed from among men" Revelation 14:4. A key characteristic of the 144,000 is that "in their mouth was found no guile" Revelation 14:5. They "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth" Revelation 14:4. They are also called "first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb" Revelation 14:4 and are understood to be the living saints who are translated to heaven without experiencing death, at the second coming of Christ. It is also significant that "no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth" Revelation 14:3 indicating a unique experience for this group.

While both groups are redeemed, the elders appear to be an earlier group of resurrected and translated individuals, possibly those who ascended with Christ, actively involved in the heavenly sanctuary work, while the 144,000 are identified as a special group from the last days who are translated without seeing death.

Sources · 30
  1. DAR1909 415.1Daniel and The RevelationUriah Smith
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  3. ARSH November 26, 1861, page 204.10Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 18James Springer White
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  8. DAR 397.1Daniel and The RevelationUriah Smith
  9. SSP 104.1The Story of the Seer of PatmosStephen Nelson Haskell
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  11. GCB/GCDB 1893, page 437.2General Conference Daily Bulletin, vol. 5Alonzo Trevier Jones
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Does egw say who the 24 elders are

AdventAI

Ellen G. White does not definitively state who the 24 elders are. However, her writings suggest they are a group of redeemed individuals from various nations, distinct from the 144,000, and are present in heaven before the final events on Earth unfold.

Here's what is understood about them:

  • Redeemed from Every Nation: The elders are described as those who have been "redeemed to God by [Christ's] blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" Revelation 5:9. This indicates their redeemed status and their representation of humanity from all backgrounds.

  • Present in Heaven: The elders are consistently depicted in the heavenly scenes, surrounding God's throne, and participating in divine worship and counsel. They are seen with harps and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints Revelation 5:8.

  • Distinct from the 144,000: While both groups are redeemed and in heaven, they are presented as separate entities. The 144,000 are explicitly called "redeemed from the earth" and "first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb" Revelation 14:3-4, suggesting a specific group from the very end of time. In contrast, the elders are present and worshipping before the 144,000 are described in the vision.

  • Possible Representation: While not explicitly stated, the elders' presence in heaven at an earlier stage in the prophetic narrative, and their redeemed status from all nations, could suggest they represent a broader group of God's faithful from all ages who have already passed into the heavenly realm.

Therefore, while a precise identification is not given, the 24 elders are understood to be a significant group of the redeemed in heaven, active in the divine realm and distinct from the final group of the 144,000 living saints.

Sources · 9
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Does egw say if the 24 elders are humans that have been taken to heaven

AdventAI

It is understood that the 24 elders are indeed humans who have been taken to heaven. They are described as having been redeemed by Christ's blood from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation, and are seen in heaven around the throne of God.

This group, distinct from the 144,000, is present in heaven at an early stage of prophetic fulfillment, suggesting they were redeemed and brought to heaven before the final events on Earth unfold.

The vision of the elders in heaven, with their harps and golden vials, offering the prayers of the saints, further emphasizes their role as redeemed individuals in the heavenly sanctuary. Revelation 5:8. They are part of the multitude who sing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." Revelation 5:12. This highlights their identity as beneficiaries of Christ's sacrifice, and their presence confirms that they are among the saved in God's kingdom.

Sources · 7
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Egw who were the sons of God that came together in job 1

AdventAI

The "sons of God" who came together in Job 1 are understood to be the heavenly angels. These celestial beings are portrayed as adoring God and His Son, and they minister to those who are suffering. They are holy and are horrified by sin and rebellion against God. They rejoice when people choose to follow Christ and become children of God.

These angels are distinct from human beings, who can also become "sons and daughters of God" through faith in Jesus Christ. It is through the sacrifice of Christ, the only begotten Son of God, that humanity is offered the opportunity to be reconciled with God and become part of His divine family.

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Are they the 24 elders

AdventAI

The "sons of God" mentioned in Job 1 are understood to be heavenly angels, which is a distinct group from the 24 elders.

Here's why they are different:

  • Heavenly Angels: The "sons of God" in Job 1 are identified as angels. The heavenly temple is filled with "ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands" of angels surrounding the throne, along with the four living creatures and the 24 elders. These angels sing praises to the Lamb. Revelation 5:11-14

  • The 24 Elders: The 24 elders are described as a specific group of redeemed individuals. They are clothed in white raiment and wear golden crowns, signifying their victory over the Christian warfare and their earthly pilgrimage. They sing a new song, proclaiming, "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." This explicitly states their redeemed human nature. Revelation 5:9

Therefore, while both groups are present in heaven and participate in worship, the "sons of God" in Job 1 are identified as angels, whereas the 24 elders are understood to be redeemed humans. Revelation 5:9

Sources · 4
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