- The Elders And The “Creatures”

Turning again to John’s vision, we learn that surrounding the throne of God were twenty four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty four elders. They were dressed in white robes, and they had crowns of gold on their heads. Then John describes four “living creatures” covered with eyes, each having six wings. John says that when these four living creatures ascribe glory, honor and thanks to God, the twenty four elders fall down before God and worship Him. The elders lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You created all things. You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power.” Do we know the symbolism of these twenty four elders? No. The Scriptures do not make it clear. But I am going to tell you how I have come to view these worshipping elders. I think twelve of them probably represent the overcomers in Israel and twelve of them represent the overcomers in the church. To say it another way, twelve represent the twelve tribes of Israel; twelve represent the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Do you recall Peter’s remark during one of his conversations with Jesus? “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27). Jesus responded with this statement: “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” The thrones Jesus mentions may not be the ones John saw, but Jesus’ words were certainly definite about the apostles sitting on twelve thrones in that coming day.

John also saw four “living creatures.” You may recall that they were termed “beasts” in the King James Version. I think “living creatures” is a better translation because they were not “beastly” creatures. Again, we sympathize with John as he tries to describe heavenly creatures in human terms. It was impossible for God to fully reveal Himself and the heavenly glories to John. How can the Infinite be fully perceived by finite, mortal man?
God had to impose some sort of a veil. If God had suddenly revealed Himself fully to John, the apostle would have perished as an autumn leaf disappears in a blazing fire. No mortal can look into the blaze of God’s full glory and live! So John is attempting to tell us what he discerns in the vision of the four heavenly beings at the throne of God.