Wings Like Eagles
Well-Known Member
There are 24 Elders mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 4:4;10; 5:11). Various commentaries suggest that they are 24 angels but that doesn't really fit because angels are never called "Elders" nor do they wear crowns, as we see the Elders do. It is easy to conclude that these are resurrected and glorified humans representing human believers. But why 24? There weren't 24 Apostles leading the believers in the very early church. John wrote the Book of Revelation as the last surviving Apostle. That is what Irenaeus said and he grew up as a disciple of Polycarp who was, in turn, discipled by the Apostle John. But, the number 24 doesn't seem to have any particular historical or contemporary relevancy for the Church, since we are one people comprised of people from ALL nations, tribes, peoples and languages. Since the number 12 is very significant for Israel (the Twelve Tribes), it seems that 12 of the Elders could represent the Church and 12 would represent believing Israel (who also had Tribal Elders). We see the number 12 come up later (chapter 12) in reference to the woman with 12 stars on her head and it is fairly clear that she represents Israel. What do all of you think about the significance of 24 Elders?