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Our Mission: Revelation 14:6-12
If I Were Told the Future - Lesson 56
The
24 Elders and the Four Living Creatures
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Welcome to the second part of our study guide! Let's pray together:
Our Father,
We are now ready to discover what the future holds for us.
First, we must identify the characters who will play an important part in the last moments
of the world's history, beginning with Your servants.
Today, we will study the 24 elders and the four living creatures.
Please guide us during this lesson, through the power of Your Holy Spirit working within
us. In Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
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Revelation 4:2,4,6
And behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
(...)
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders
sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. (...)
And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of
eyes in front and in back.
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In our lesson «Introduction
to the Seven Seals», we have seen the heavenly throne and the characters who worship
God in that place.
Among them are 24 elders and four living creatures, which we did not identify then. Let's
now try to discover who they are.
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Leviticus 19:32
You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.
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Revelation 1:13,14
[I saw] One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to
the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow.
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Let's begin with the 24 elders.
The picture of an old man calls to mind wisdom and respect.
The white hair of an old man also reminds us of the description of Jesus in the first
chapter of Revelation.
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An elder personifies wisdom, experience, sound advice:
«Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days,
understanding.» (JOB 12:12)
«Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and
he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you.» (DEUTERONOMY 32:7)
«Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he
still lived, saying, "How do you advise me to answer these people?" And they
spoke to him, saying, "If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak
good words to them, they will be your servants forever." But he rejected the counsel
which the elders had given him.» (2 CHRONICLES 10:6-8)
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Revelation 4:4
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
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The description of the 24 elders contains three elements which
will help us to identify them:
- They are sitting on thrones, around God's throne.
- They are clothed in white robes.
- They have crowns of gold on their heads.
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Revelation 3:21
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne.
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Revelation 3:5
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments.
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Revelation 2:10
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
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The three elements describing the 24 elders (sitting on a throne, clothed in white clothes, and wearing a crown) also appear in the letters to the seven churches: all these are things Jesus promised to him who overcomes.
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Matthew 27:51-53
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to
bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and
many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
And coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and
appeared to many.
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Who are the victors represented by the 24 elders?
The Bible says that, at Jesus' death, many saints rose from the dead. What happened to
these saints afterwards?
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Ephesians 4:8 (NIV)
This is why it says:
«When He ascended on high, He led captives in His train and gave gifts to men.»
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Isaiah 24:23
The Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before His elders, gloriously.
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When He ascended to heaven, Jesus took these saints with Him, as
the first fruits of His risen people.
This group thus makes up the first part of the 24 elders, representing God's people under
the Old Covenant.
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Luke 22:28-30
But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat
and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of
Israel.
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Matthew 19:28
You who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
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The second part of the 24 elders is made up of the twelve apostles, judging Israel, and representing God's people under the New Covenant.
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Daniel 7:9-11,13,14
I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days
was seated. (...) The court was seated, and the books were opened.
I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I
watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.
(...)
And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the
Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and
glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
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The 24 elders are judges taking part in the first work of judgment, which began in 1844, and which goes on until the return of Jesus.
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Matthew 19:28
You who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
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1 Peter 4:17
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
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So judgment begins «at the house of God», that is, with Israel
of the Old Covenant, and the Church of the New Covenant.
The 24 elders, representing these two covenants, assist Jesus in His work of judgment.
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1 John 5:7
For there are three who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
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Revelation 7:1
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth.
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The number of the elders, that is, 24, or 2 x 12, also carries a
symbolic meaning.
In fact, the number 12, or 3 x 4, symbolizes the alliance between God (associated with
number 3) and the earth (associated with number 4).
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Revelation 12:1
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
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Revelation 21:12
Also [the New Jerusalem] had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
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The book of Revelation, symbolizing the alliance between God and men, uses the number 12 to represent the pure Church and the kingdom of God.
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Revelation 4:3,4
There was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an
emerald.
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders.
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Genesis 9:12,13
And God said: «This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.»
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Besides the number 12, the rainbow near the 24 elders is another sign, dating back to Noah, of this alliance between God and men.
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1 Chronicles 24:3,5,7,18,19
Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of
the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service. (...)
Thus they were divided by lot. (...) Now the first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to
Jedaiah, (...) the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
This was the schedule of their service for coming into the house of the Lord according to
their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded
him.
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The number 24 also calls to mind the service of the sanctuary, which was performed by 24 groups of priests who assisted the High Priest.
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Revelation 5:8-10
The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a
harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sang a new song, saying:
«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, and
have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.»
----------------------------------------------------
Likewise, the 24 elders assist Jesus, our High Priest, in His work of intercession in the heavenly sanctuary.
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1 Chronicles 25:6-9,31
All these were under the direction of their father for the music
in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service
of the house of God. (...)
So the number of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the Lord,
all who were skillful, was two hundred and eighty-eight.
And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the
student.
Now the first lot for Asaph came out for Joseph; the second for Gedaliah, him with his
brethren and sons, twelve; (...) the twenty-fourth for Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his
brethren, twelve.
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Finally, the number 24 calls to mind the worship service in the sanctuary, performed by 24 groups of 12 Levites (288 Levites) singing and playing harps.
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Revelation 4:10
The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever.
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Revelation 5:8,9
The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a
harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sang a new song, saying: «You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its
seals.»
----------------------------------------------------
Likewise, the 24 elders participate, by singing and playing harps, in the worship service taking place in the heavenly sanctuary.
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Revelation 4:6,9
In the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four
living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. (...)
The living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who
lives forever and ever.
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Now, let's move on to the four living creatures.
Like the 24 elders, they participate in the worship service which takes place in the
heavenly sanctuary.
Who are these four living creatures?
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This parallel shows that the 4 living creatures are 4 angels (seraphim):
«Behold, a throne set in
heaven, and | «I saw the Lord sitting on a
One sat on the throne. (...) In the | throne, high and lifted up,
and
midst of the throne, and around the | the train of His robe filled the
throne, were four living creatures. | temple. Above it stood seraphim;
(...) The four living creatures, each | each one had six wings
(...).
having six wings, (...) do not rest | And one cried to
another and
day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, | said: "Holy,
holy, holy is the
holy, Lord God Almighty!" The living | Lord of hosts; the
whole earth
creatures give glory (...) to Him who | is full of His glory!"»
sits on the throne.»
|
(REVELATION 4:2,6,8,9) |
(ISAIAH 6:1-3)
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The four living creatures look like the four angels in Ezekiel:
«In the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four
living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a
lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a
man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.» (REVELATION 4:6,7)
«Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. (...). As for the likeness of
their faces, each had the face of a man, each of the four had the face of a lion on the
right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four
had the face of an eagle.» (EZEKIEL 1:6,10)
«Their whole body, with their back, their hands, their wings, and the wheels that the
four had, were full of eyes all around. (...) Each one had four faces: the first face was
the face of a cherub, the second face the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and
the fourth the face of an eagle.» (EZEKIEL 10:12,14)
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Revelation 5:6
I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain.
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The four living creatures, like the 24 elders, are closely linked
with Jesus Christ.
The appearance of the four living creatures even displays many traits of character
belonging to Jesus, as we will see in the following verses...
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Revelation 4:7
The first living creature was like a lion.
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Revelation 5:5
One of the elders said to me, «Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.»
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Hosea 11:10
They shall walk after the Lord. He will roar like a lion.
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Similar to a lion, the first living creature calls to mind Jesus Christ's majesty, power, and dominion.
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Revelation 4:7
The second living creature [was] like a calf.
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Isaiah 53:3,4
He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and
acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we
did not esteem Him.
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.
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Similar to a calf, the second living creature calls to mind the patience of Jesus, who silently bore the sufferings which give us salvation.
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Proverbs 14:4
Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox.
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Deuteronomy 8:17,18
Then you say in your heart, «My power and the might of my hand
have gained me this wealth.»
And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.
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The calf, or the ox, also reminds us that Jesus is the great Supplier: He is the One to whom we owe everything, both on the earth and in eternal life.
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Revelation 4:7
The third living creature had a face like a man.
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Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom (...).
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Hebrews 2:18
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
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Similar to a man, the third living creature calls to mind Jesus' wisdom, but also His humanity, which enables Him to understand our weaknesses.
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Revelation 4:7
The fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
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Job 34:21
For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps.
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Jeremiah 32:19
Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.
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Similar to an eagle, the fourth living creature calls to mind Jesus' insight, which enables Him to judge each one of us with righteousness.
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The four living creatures all display Jesus' royalty:
«The first liv- | «The second
liv- | «The third liv- | «The fourth liv-
ing creature was | ing creature was | ing creature had | ing creature was
like a lion.» | like a calf.» | a face
like a | like a flying
|
| man.» | eagle.»
(REVELATION 4:7) | (REVELATION 4:7) | (REVELATION 4:7) | (REVELATION 4:7)
-----------------|------------------|------------------|-----------------
The lion, king | The ox, king of | Man, king of
| The eagle, king
of the forest, | the fields, is | Creation, is the | of the
sky, is
is the most | the most power- | most powerful of | the
most power-
powerful of all | ful of all do- | all.
| ful
of all
wild beasts. | mestic animals. |
| birds.
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«The four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the
throne, saying, "Amen! Alleluia!" (...) Alleluia! For
the Lord God
Omnipotent reigns!» (REVELATION 19:4,6)
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Revelation 15:7
Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.
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Revelation 11:16-18
And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones
fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:
«(...) Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged.»
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So, the 24 elders and the four living creatures take part in the
first part of the judgment, which ends with the pouring-out of God's wrath, and the return
of Jesus.
Now, who will assist Jesus in the second part of the judgment?
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Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was
committed to them.
And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the
word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark
on their foreheads or on their hands.
And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
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All God's people, risen at Jesus' return, will take over and
assist Jesus in the second part of the judgment that will take place during the
Millennium.
This second part of the judgment will concern all those who rejected God and His offer of
salvation in Jesus Christ.
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Revelation 19:1,4,6
After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in
heaven, saying, «Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power to the Lord our God!»
(...)
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who
sat on the throne, saying, «Amen! Alleluia!» (...)
And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and
as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, «Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent
reigns!»
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Let's always remain faithful to Jesus and soon our voices will join those of the 24 elders and the four creatures proclaiming God's eternal kingdom.
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Let's thank God for His presence among us:
Lord,
Your Word says that «the twenty-four elders (...) cast their crowns before the throne,
saying: "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power."»
(Revelation 4:10,11)
We are eagerly waiting for the day when we also cast our crowns at Your feet, praising You
for having given us the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
In His precious name we pray.
Amen.
The test of Lesson 56 is waiting for you!