"Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads" (Rev.4:4, NIV).

The identity of the 24 elders described in this passage in the Book of Revelation has been shrouded in mystery with not a small amount of speculation by scriptorians and theologians. About the only thing we can be sure of them is that they are redeemed humans [1] and not angelic, as witnessed by the fact that they wear white garments (Rev.19:7-8) and golden crowns (Rev.2:10), and they reign with Messiah [2]. Their description as "elders" (a title exclusively reserved for men and never malakim/angels) indicates that these are spiritually mature men who are rulers in the Messianic Community (Church) and - because they wear crowns - are overcomers:

"Their sitting denotes honour, rest, and satisfaction; their sitting around the throne signifies nearness to [Elohim (God)], the sight and enjoyment of Him. They were clothed in white raiment; the imputed righteousness of the [qodeshim (saints, set-apart ones)] and their holiness: they had on their heads crowns of gold, signifying the glory they have with Him" [3].

So their depiction in some Christian art as having wings is wholly erroneous. We read further about them:

"From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven menorahs (lamps) were blazing. These are the seven Ruachot Elohim (spirits of God). Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

"Holy, holy, holy
is the Yahweh-Elohim Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come"

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

"You are worthy, our Yahweh and Elohim (God),
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being" (Rev.4:5-11, NIV)

We see here that these 24 men are associated with the seven menorah's (seven-armed candlearbres) and the seven Ruachot Elohim (Spirits of God), the number seven representing the fullness, and therefore the entire substance of the seven annual festivals from Pesach (Passover) to Sukkot (Tabernacles). They are intimately acquainted with the seven Ruachot Elohim (Spirits of God), understanding who they are and what they do - they know their place in the divine scheme of things.

The four living creatures, who are also present before the Throne of Elohim (God) and surround it in the inner circles, as it were, were first seen and described in great detail by the navi (prophet) Ezekiel (Ezek.1:4-28). Their identity and meaning is beyond the scope of this brief study, however, and it is but my purpose to note that they were there for a future examination. Suffice to note the importance of the numbers 7 [4], 4 and 2x12=24.

But who are the 24 elders? Are they in heaven already? Or, from John's perspective, of the future? I can answer, in part, these questions because of what Yahweh showed me this night, in the early hours of 18 September 2014.

I had been in agony during the entire evening, for some 10 hours, on account of my illness, and had thrown myself into prayer seeking Yahweh's face. I knew, from past experience, that this would be a long drawn-out affair and I was unlikely to obtain relief until the period of time (normally 6-7 hours) was passed. As I struggled before Him lying on my bed, on my knees, and on my face, no longer seeking answers as to the cause of my illness or its remedy, but contenting myself as far as possible to simply approach him as a little child in search of the comforting arms of a Heavenly Father, so a vision opened up to me.

I saw the wall of a huge white city or building, I cannot say which, that is hard for me to exactly describe because in structure it was unlike anything I had ever seen before, the nearest approximation I can give of it being that it was rilled or consisted of fused pillars of some sort. It was a very bright environment, the light preventing any objective description of detail, and nor was the detail in any case important so much as what was happening at the foot of the building or city will. I saw 24 men, in pairs, file up to the wall, and stand facing out from the city or building. I was immediately aware that there were 12 pairs even before I began counting them, and both in their approach to the wall, and after they had lined up, they remained in pairs. I could not see these people close up so I could neither tell you what they looked like nor their gender, though they appeared all to be men. And then the vision closed.

I knew that this was heaven but whether they were in fact there, or were now mortals upon the earth, I could tell from simply looking at them, but I had the distinct impression that they were in some way here amongst the remnant as its leadership, and certainly as witnesses, because they were not shining in the same way as the wall they were standing in front. I recalled the two witnesses in Jerusalem (Rev.11:1-11) and wondered if two of these 24 might possibly be them. In any case, one thing was very clear indeed - these 24 went about in 12 pairs of witnesses always, and it was important for the Remnant to understand that this was how they would operate, and never solo. Did each of the pairs represent one of the Twelve Tribes of Messianic Israel? I was not told, but can only conject that they were so, and that each pair would be connected to one of the 12 end-time Cities of Refuge whose rôle is told in my book, The Final Gathering

For us today, and especially in this season of Teshuvah (Repentance), it is paramount that the qodeshim (saints) understand that in addition to the absolutely vital necessity for us all to properly make ready for this Sukkot (Tabernacles), that the 24 Elders who are eternally before the Throne of Elohim (God) in their spirits, and at some time in the future in their resurrected bodies, are themselves gathered and lined up for an event of momumental importance. It happened, there and then, in the early hours of this morning before the new day broke. They were outside the city or building, which means they are, in all likelihood, here now. And the last two have completed the line.

I can only urge you, brethren and sisters, to make complete your teshuvah (repentance) so that you may be counted amongst the valiant and worthy of this evil time in history. Tomorrow (18 September 2014) the modern-day Nation of Ephraim, represented by Great Britain and Northern Ireland, faces an important decision in the Scottish Referendum to stay in the Union or leave it, and what happens there will be an important prophetic sign. More anon.

Endnotes

[1] Revelation 4:9-11; 5:5-14; 7:11-17; 11:16-18; 14:3; 19:4
[2] Revelation 2:26-27; 5:10; 20:4; Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30
[3] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary of the Bible, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN: 1997): p.1270
[4] And by extension, the number 8 (Yahweh + the 7 Ruachot), 9 (+ Yah'shua) and 16 (+ the 7 Daughters)
which is 1+6 and therefore also 7