FACT CHECK: ARE THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS IN REVELATION 4:4 ANGELIC BEINGS OR HUMAN BEINGS?

In the book of Revelation chapter 4, the bible made mention of twenty-four elders sitting on thrones in Heaven. Let us read the bible verses:

(Revelation 4:4 KJV) And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

(Revelation 4:10 KJV) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Many Christians believe that these twenty-four elders are human beings. However, is this position absolutely accurate? Could these twenty-four elder be more likely angelic or heavenly beings than humans?

Well, my further study of the bible indicates that they are not human beings but angelic elders or heavenly beings for the following reasons:

1. Those that state that these "elders" are human beings always point to the elders wearing crowns and sitting on thrones. They say there is nowhere in the scripture that angels wear crowns and sit on thrones and that these crowns and thrones are indication of rewards to the redeemed mortals not angels. Well, at the time of John's writing, all events which would need to precede any form of rewards to redeemed mortals and enthronment of the saints are still future. For instance, tribulation had not begun (evidenced by the fact that the scroll had not yet been opened) which will be followed by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, resurrection of the dead and thereafter final judgement, reward and enthronment of the believers. [cf. 1 Thess 4:16 and Rev 20]. These elders could not have been humans as they would have been rewarded/ enthroned ahead of all these events which is not consistent with the scripture. For instance Hebrews 11:40 says that God has provided better thing for us, that they [the dead saints] should not be made perfect [i.e. rewarded] without us.
2. Another area pointed out by those in support of the elders being redeemed saints is the use of the word "elders". They say that in all the places where the word was used in the bible it is used to refer to human beings not angels. The word, elder, is the Greek, presbuvtero", (presbuteros), which means old man or elder. Though the word was used 66 times in the bible to refer to human beings. Here, John used it severally in the book of Revelation to refer to another class of beings probably because he saw them as belonging to the very distance past. In other words, he saw them as the most ancient of all the creatures. Isaiah used the same word, which is the Hebrew zaqen, for the Lord's elders at the second coming (Isaiah 24:23).
3. The twenty-four elders are not redeemed human beings because Jesus said in John 3:13, that no man except himself has ascended to heaven where God's throne is. They could not have been in Heaven otherwise it will contradict Jesus' statement.
4. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 shows us that all redeemed human beings will be given immortality at Christ's second coming, when He returns to the earth to reign. Since Jesus hasn't returned, these elders could not be humans as they would have been given immortality ahead of the event.
5. At the point John saw the elders, many members of the church are yet to be born. If these are humans, how can such an elite group be already picked and rewarded without considering and waiting for those saints yet unborn.
6. Those that support the human view also say that angels do not wear white garments and that only the redeemed believers were promised white garments. Firstly, Revelation 15:6 shows where angels were given white linen. Secondly, the white garments with which these elders are clothed reveal that these angelic elders are sinless, having no need of the washing by the blood.
7. Lastly, those who support that the twenty-four elders are taken from among redeemed believers also base their main point on what is considered a mistranslation of Revelation 5:9-10 by many bible versions including King James Version. These verses read:  (Revelation 5:9-10 KJV) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. However, according to the original Greek text, these verses 9 and 10 should rather read: "For You were slain, and have redeemed them [the saints, not us] to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation; and have made them [not us] kings and priests to our God; and they [not we] shall reign on the earth." Some bible Versions such as English Standard Version (ESV) have this correct text.

If you like our blog, kindly share your views, suggestions, and comments. Like our Facebook page @BibleWatch, follow us on Twitter @bible_watch and click to the Subscribe button above.