Throne room of God

God could tell us that this was two groups of twelve if he wanted. Second, it is apparent in the book of Revelation that the 24 elders are repeatedly distinguished from the saints. We can see this distinguishing in Revelation 7:13-17 where one of the elders tells John that the great multitude represent those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. One of the elders is telling John that this other group represents the saved. Third, we will read about the 24 elders holding the prayers of the saints in Revelation 5:8. This also shows that the 24 elders are not the same group as the saints of God. Fourth, we will read about the 24 elders acting as intermediaries and interpreters (5:5; 7:13-17). These functions are things that we read about angels doing in the scriptures also. There is no reason to not understand these 24 elders as another group of spiritual beings. They seem to form part of the heavenly council as they are before God’s throne and there is nothing in the scriptures to tell us that these 24 elders represent something else. I will conclude the discussion of the 24 elders by asking us to consider that the people of God are not in view at this point in Revelation. The point is not about the saved people of God and what they are doing. The point is what is God doing. The point is to look around the throne room of God and be in awe of the activity and splendor.