Who Are the 24 Elders in Revelation?

The twenty-four elders are heavenly representatives who join the four living creatures in falling down to worship God and the Lamb in the heavenly throne room Revelation 5:8+16LtMs, Lt 112, 1890, par. 15+2. These elders are part of the vast celestial assembly that surrounds the throne, numbering ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands Revelation 5:1110LtMs, Lt 80a, 1895, par. 21+1.

The Role and Identity of the Elders

The twenty-four elders are distinct participants in the divine government and worship of heaven:

• Redeemed Status: The elders sing a new song of praise to the Lamb, acknowledging that He has redeemed them to God by His blood out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation Revelation 5:913LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 20+1.

• Kings and Priests: They have been made kings and priests unto God, and they look forward to reigning on the earth Revelation 5:1017LtMs, Lt 106, 1902, par. 13+1.

• Participants in Judgment: They are in harmony with the transactions occurring in heaven and witness the unrolling of the book that contains no blanks and no more space for writing20MR 197.4+2.

• Intercessory Symbols: They fall down before the Lamb, each holding harps and golden vials full of odors, which represent the prayers of the saints Revelation 5:813LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 20+1.

Worship and Proclamation

The elders are central to the songs of victory and the preparation of God's people:

• Universal Adoration: Alongside every creature in heaven and on earth, the elders prostrate themselves to worship Him who lives forever and ever Revelation 5:13-1413LtMs, Ms 153, 1898, par. 17+1.

• Judgment and Vengeance: They celebrate the true and righteous judgments of God against the powers that corrupted the earth and avenged the blood of His servants Revelation 19:2-46LtMs, Lt 112, 1890, par. 15+1.

• The Marriage of the Lamb: They rejoice in the announcement that the marriage of the Lamb has come and that His wife has made herself ready Revelation 19:77LtMs, Ms 24, 1891, par. 27+1.

• Proclamation of God’s Reign: They join the voice of the great multitude in declaring that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth Revelation 19:66LtMs, Lt 112, 1890, par. 15+2.