Revelation

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Who are the 24 Elders in Revelation?


A Short Study on Revelation 5:6-10




By Nab B.

June 27, 2022

Updated September 2, 2025

(updated August 20, 2025)



“Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, 

and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.” 

(Rev 4:5) NKJV



“And in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain… the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.” 

(Rev 5:6,8) NKJV




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The whole Book of Revelation was written in signs and symbols. “The 24 elders" who sit around the throne of God also constitute a sign or a symbol. (Rev 1:1)



But, a symbol of what? 



Before answering, let’s get something straight first: There are no literal old men who are sitting on thrones in God's heaven! 



Because the 24 elders are symbolic, and Revelation motifs are drawn from the Old Testament, we ought to revisit the OT to know the meaning. 



There's no better way to find out than to let scripture interpret scripture. No guess, no conjecture! just scripture, spirit, and a lot of sense.





"The 24 Elders" 

in the Old Testament



The 24 elders were 24 divisions of priests, chosen from the descendants of Aaron (see 1 Chronicles 24:1-19). These divisions were chosen from two families in Aaron's line: 16 divisions from the sons of Eleazer, and 8 divisions from the sons of Ithamar. 



The divisions operated on a rotation basis, allowing each division to serve a week at a time, or twice a year. Their service in the Temple included many ceremonial duties.



I think this is enough background for the reader to figure out, hopefully, what the 24 elders, spoken of in Revelation, really mean.




What Do "the 24 Elders" Represent?



Based on the above, "the 24 elders" represent all Israel with its priesthood and the law. Even though the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, to God, the whole nation (all 12) was  "a kingdom of priests." (Exodus 19:6)



In Revelation, Israel and its priesthood (aka, 24 elders in Revelation) have been fully replaced and surrendered to "the Lamb" and his "New Covenant" after Christ's death.



Of course, we need scriptural confirmation, don't we?! Let’s have it in Revelation 5:6-10:



As you read these verses, watch…very carefully…what the “24 Elders” will do as soon as the “slain Lamb” shows up with new scrolls,



“3 And no one in heaven or on the earth...was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.


5 Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.


6 Behold, in the midst of the throne...stood a Lamb as though it had been slain. 


8 Now, when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb...And they sang a new song, saying: 


“9 You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 


10 And have made us kings and priests to our God.” (Revelation 5:6-10) NKJV



Were you able to visualize the scene? Let me unpack the above passage:



“And no one in heaven or on the earth ...was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. Behold, in the midst of the throne...stood a Lamb as though it had been slain.” (Rev 5:3,5 NKJV)

Could you see from this that no one and no covenant, either from Israel's side (heaven) or Noah's side (earth), was able or worthy to open God's scroll (or final judgments), but the "slain Lamb"?




“In the midst of the throne…stood a Lamb.” (Rev 5:6 NKJV)

Although "the 24 elders" and "the 4 living creatures" surrounded the throne, they were overshadowed by the appearance of the “slain Lamb” who now takes centre stage for something bigger than life to happen!




“The 24 Elders fell down before the Lamb.” (Rev 5: 8)

The act of “falling down before the Lamb” is a clear indication that Israel’s old system (priesthood, covenant and law) has been replaced and surrendered "before the slain Lamb” and his new and better covenant, which imparts true life to humans, not for a short time, but forever! 



To “fall down” before the "Lamb of God" has been the message preached since the first century. Paul, for instance, spoke to the Gentile Athenians (and to us), urging them to repent and submit to God’s appointed Judge and King, Jesus Christ, saying:



“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” 

(Acts 17:30-31) NKJV




“And have redeemed us…And have made us kings and priests to our God.” (Rev 5: 9,10) NKJV

More than a few Bible translations (e.g. KJV, NKJV, MSB, LSV, YLT, Douay-Rheims, and CLNT) render these verses as "redeemed us" and "made us". If this is accurate, which seems to be, we have a clear scriptural proof (a winner really!) that “the 24 elders” represent Israel and "the 4 living creatures" represent the Gentiles, together as one, they sing praises for being finally “redeemed to God” and being “made kings and priests”. (See 1 Pet 2:9)





Final Word: 

The Two Groups are "Made One"

In Jesus Christ! 



The two former covenants, Noah’s and Israel's, served a purpose but proved insufficient in permanently saving humans (Jews or Gentiles) from sin and death. That kind of salvation is only for the “slain Lamb” to do! Other than Christ Jesus, there's nothing out there to save! If in doubt, just read Acts 4:12.



Ever wondered what Ephesians 1:10 meant: “To bring together all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth”? 



What in the world are “the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth”? The answer is blindingly clear from Ephesians 2:12-18. 



Read it slowly, even if you did read it before!


“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby…For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” 



The death of Christ brought into “ONE” the things in the heavens (Israel) and the things upon the earth (Gentiles). Jews and Gentiles, represented by two old covenants, are now "Made both one” in Jesus Christ. Their eyes must be fixed on Him only, and nothing else!



The phrases Paul uses in the above passage tell it all:



The two groups are gathered into one ecclesia, one Church, all because of God's work through the “slain Lamb”. 


"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all." (Eph 4:4-6)



Wasn't this what Jesus said he'll do to the two groups of people?


"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." (John 10:16)



Let me spell out the meaning of this verse: 


"Other sheep"...are...Gentiles.

"This fold"...is...Israel.

"One fold"...is...the Church.

"One Shepherd"...is...Jesus Christ.



Need more proof? Just re-read the article; sometimes, one take ain’t enough!



You are welcome to email me if you still have questions.