To the church in Pergamum (see Note below)
(1) From the glorious description of the Lord in 1:13-16 which particular part does the Lord use to depict Himself? (v. 12b)
(2) What is the purpose of this emphasis? (see v. 16; 19:15)
(3) Commendations (v. 13)
a. What is meant by "Satan has his throne" in the city?
b. Is it different from saying that the city is “where Satan lives”? Why or why not?
c. What about the city where you live? Is it a place where Satan is allowed a foothold (Eph. 4:27) or a place where he is in control?
d. What is the Lord’s commendation?
e. Do you think it is easy for them to do so? Why or why not?
f. What about you in your situation?
(4) Rebukes (vv. 14-16)
a. Holding on to the teaching of the Nicolatians which is likened to the teaching of Balaam:
- What sin did Balaam lead the Israelites into? (see Num. 25:1-3; 31:16)
- In what ways does the teaching of the Nicolatians resemble that of Balaam?
- What does the Apostle Paul think of the eating of food sacrificed to idols? (see 1 Cor. 10:18ff)
b. While they could fend off external opposition, how then would they succumb to internal heresy? What is the lesson for us today?
c. What does the Lord promise to do? (v. 16b) What does it mean?
(5) Rewards (v. 17)
a. To the overcomers: What is meant by “overcomers” in their situation?
b. The reward of “hidden manna”
- What was manna? (see Exod. 16)
- What is the real heavenly manna? (see Jesus’ words in Jn. 6:32-33; 57-58)
- To these “overcomers”, many of whom might have died as martyrs, what does “hidden” mean to them?
c. The reward of a “white stone”:
- Most commentators see that the metaphor of a “white stone” refers to ancient practice by the jurors in using a white stone to declare one’s innocence and a black stone to denote guilt: What does this promise mean to the “overcomers”?
- It is a “new name": Some commentators point out that the word “new” is used particularly to signify newness in quality, such as the “New Jerusalem”. What then does the “new name” signify?
- The stone also has a name written on it, known only to the recipient:
1. Have you ever received a gift with your name engraved on it?
2. What might the engraving of your name mean to you?
(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
Pliny, the Roman historian, called Pergamum “by far the most distinguished city in Asia”. It was well known for the following: Its great library that boasted more than 200,000 volumes, its die-hard commitment to emperor worship, and (that) “it was a center of worship for four of the most important pagan cults of the day—Zeus, Athene, Dionysos and Asklepios…the shrine of Asklepios, (in particular), attracted people from all over the world. Galen, one of the most famous physicians of the ancient world, was a native of Pergamum and studied there.” (NICOT, 78)
“To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” (Rev. 2:17)
We often wonder what will happen when we get to heaven. Yes, we know that we will be singing praise to our Triune God all the time, but will we not get bored? Also, with millions, if not billions of believers, will we not be lost in a sea of people?
I find the promise to the overcomers of the church in Pergamum most personal and exciting and it certainly gives me a sense that I will not be just a robot in heaven.
First, the reward is “a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it” (2:17). Historians tell us that in ancient courts of law, the judge would use a black stone to pronounce a guilty verdict and a white stone to declare one’s innocence. Therefore, we are reminded that when we get to heaven, all our pasts have been wiped clean. What freedom!
But more than that, this white stone will have a new name. The word “new” is not the Greek word for new fashion or a fad that would fade, but newness in quality that denotes a new identity “known only to him”. It reminds me of how thrilled I was when I received an unexpected gift with my name engraved on it. It does not only signify to me that the giver has taken care to choose the gift, but that it was meant personally and only for me. That speaks volumes about our personal identity in heaven. Each of us will not become a spiritual robot—our new name remains highly personally, and it is just between the Lord and us! What intimacy!
To the church in Thyatira (see Note 1 below)
(1) While John describes the speaker as “like a son of man” (1:13), what does the Lord call Himself? (v. 18) What might be its significance?
(2) From the glorious description of the Lord in 1:13-16, which particular part does the Lord use to depict Himself? (v. 18b)
(3) What is the purpose of this emphasis? (furnace is obviously used for refining precious metals, weaning out the impurities)
(4) Commendations (v. 19)
a. What does the Lord know about them?
b. How do you describe such a church?
c. What is meant by “doing more than you did at first”?
d. Is that a fitting description of you and your church? Why or why not?
(5) Rebukes (vv. 20-23; 24b)
a. Jezebel (see Note 2 below)
- What sins has her teaching led God’s servants into? (v. 20)
- How similar are these sins to those of Pergamum? (v. 14)
- Since such sins are so common among churches, and can even mislead God’s servants into committing sin, what kind of a warning should it be to us?
- Why does the Lord not carry out His judgment immediately upon her? (v. 21)
- How will the Lord punish her in v. 22?
- What does this judgment intend to do?
- What if she and her children do not repent? (v. 23; see 1 Cor. 11:30 for its possible meaning)
- Most opine “children” is a reference to her followers, but some see them as her physical children: Is there any difference in terms of punishment?
- What impact will this have on the churches?
- How does this serve as an encouragement to us today as we see so many churches follow heretical teachings, especially those that lead to acceptance of immorality?
b. Deep secrets of Satan (v. 24b)
- How attractive will it be for a church-teacher to claim that his or her teachings will usher you into a deeper knowledge of the secrets of God?
- How can we tell such teachings are not of God, but of Satan? (you may want to read today’s Meditative Reflection)
(6) The exhortations (vv. 24-25)
a. To whom are these exhortations directed?
b. What are they to hold on to and not to hold on to?
c. What does “holding on to” suggest, especially with the gracious act of not imposing “any other burden” on them?
(7) The promised rewards (vv. 26-30)
a. To the overcomers: What is meant by “overcomers” in their situation? (v. 26a)
b. What authority will they be given? (vv. 26-27; Ps. 2:9)
c. What will they be also given? (v. 28, see 22:16 also)
d. Since these rewards are given to all overcomers, including you and me, how precious are they to you?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note 1:
Compared to the other six cities, Thyatira is the smallest and perhaps the least important city. However, it was known for its large number of trade guilds which included “woolworkers, linen-workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers and bronze-smiths…Since the trade guilds were inseparably intertwined with local religious observances, they posed a special problem for the economic well-being of Christians” (NICOT, 84-5)
Note 2:
Many have associated this Jezebel with the wicked queen in Israel (see 1 Ki. 16:29ff; 2 Ki. 9:30ff) who led Israel into idolatry. I think such an association is not necessary, because Jezebel in the OT was not a prophetess, and she yielded her power as a queen and there was no teaching involved.
“Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you…'” (Rev. 2:24)
It is true that at the time of John’s Revelation, Gnosticism was not yet fully developed as a heresy, but the lure of secret knowledge—that of a deeper knowledge—about God is always a great temptation for those who seek to be better than other believers; such seek a short-cut to holiness, simply by intellectual pursuits or the observance of some mystical steps. They are to be contrasted with those who rather seek a continual fellowship with God through His words, prayers out of a spirit of humility, and a lifestyle of obedient holiness.
I have witnessed a pastor who saw his church dwindle down to a few people and decided to take the few remaining to pursue deeper spiritual knowledge and mystical, experiential short-cuts to revival. The result was a disaster.
Anytime a teacher promises a deeper knowledge of God and a short-cut to experiencing God, beware!
To the church in Sardis (see Note below)
(1) From the introduction by the Apostle John (1:4) and the glorious description of the Lord in 1:13-16, which particular parts does the Lord use to depict Himself? (v. 1)
(2) What is the purpose of these emphases?
(3) Rebukes (vv. 1b, 2b)
a. “I know your deeds”: What does the Lord refer to?
b. What does a church that has a “reputation of being alive” look like?
c. How could a church, in an environment similar to the rest of the churches in Asia, be able to “thrive” in reputation?
d. What is meant by being “dead” (v. 1b) or being about to die? (v. 2)
(4) Call to Repentance (vv. 2a, 3)—The Lord asks them:
a. To wake up (v. 2):
- Do they think that they need to wake up?
- Why or why not?
b. To remember (v. 3)
- What does the Lord ask them to remember?
c. What if they choose not to wake up and repent? (v. 3b)
d. What does it mean?
(5) The promised rewards (vv. 4-6)
a. A few have not soiled their clothes (v. 4a)
- How were they able to do that in the midst of such a soiled church?
- What might life be like for them?
b. What is meant by being dressed in white? (see Rev. 4:4; 19:8, 14)
c. What is being guaranteed by the Lord? (v. 5)
d. What then is meant by “overcomers” in this church?
(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
The once powerful city of Sardis which felt secure because of its impregnable steep hills, suffered a catastrophic earthquake in A. D. 17 and was rebuilt with the help of Emperor Tiberius. Its great wealth was confirmed archaeologically by the discovery in local cemeteries of jewelry. It is interesting to note that internal issues rather than external problems are noted in this letter. This might explain why this church seemed to be able to co-exist with factors that were normally hostile to Christians at the time likely because of their compromise.
“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (Rev. 3:1)
The church in Sardis, like the rest of the Seven Churches in Revelation, lived at a time of emperor worship and in an environment of pagan cults with its patron goddess, Cybele. However, unlike the other churches, it thrived to the point that it had a “reputation of being alive”. (3:1)
The reason why it could exist comfortably alongside a culture and a people normally hostile to Christianity was rather obvious. It was because of its compromise, making it “too innocuous to be worth persecuting” (TNTC, 75). As a result, in the eyes of the Lord, this was a “dead church” (3:1).
This kind of churches is very prevalent in the US and some of them are so successful that they are considered “mega churches” where people flock to attend their services by the thousands. Why would people flock to attend theses churches? The reason is the same as that of the church in Sardis—compromise. Some of these churches do not preach the pure gospel of sin and repentance, but rather a prosperity gospel that promises wealth and peace; others accept not only sinners but their continuous sinful lifestyle.
The Lord is still calling theses churches to repentance and He implores them to remember what they have “received and heard” and to “obey it and repent”, or He will come like a thief to judge them.
So let’s not envy churches that thrive because of their compromise, but pray fervently for their repentance. We cannot afford more churches like Sardis.
To the church in Philadelphia (see Note 1 below)
(1) How does the Lord remind the church of Who He is? (v. 7)
(2) What is the purpose of the emphasis on Him being “holy and true”? (See Isa. 40:25, Hab. 3:3; Mk. 1:24; Jn. 6:69; Rev. 19:11)
(3) In the glorious depiction of the Lord, the Lord mentions that He “holds the keys to death and Hades”, and yet He now emphasizes that He holds “the Key of David”:
a. What is the Key of David? (see Isa. 22:22ff and Note 2 below)
b. What is the purpose of this emphasis?
(4) The encouragement (v. 8)
a. Since the Lord knows their deeds, for what does the Lord commend them?
b. What might it mean to them to hear the Lord say, “You have little strength”?
c. What does it mean to you?
d. What kind of door does the Lord promise to keep open for them? (see Isa. 22:22ff and Col. 4:3)
(5) The promise of deliverance (vv. 9-10)
a. What is meant by “who claim to be Jews though they are not”? (see Rom. 2: 28-29; Gal. 2:14; 6:15-16)
b. Why are these Jews called “the synagogue of Satan”?
c. How will the Lord vindicate His believers? (v. 9)
d. For those who have kept His command to endure patiently, what will happen to them in the End-time when judgment of calamities will befall the whole world? (v. 10)
(6) The promise of rewards (vv. 11-13)
a. What is meant by “overcomers” in this letter? (vv. 11-12)
b. What do they have? (see 3:3)
c. Passive reward — no one will take their crown: What is that crown? (2:10)
d. Positive rewards (vv. 12-13)
- How important is a pillar to a building? (see also 1 Tim. 3:15)
- What is meant by being made a pillar to the temple of God? (see also Eph. 2:19-22)
- Why does the Lord emphasize also that “Never again will he (the overcomer) leave it”?
- What does the writing of names on him (the pillar) signify? (names signify belonging to)
- What is the significance of having the three names written on us (the overcomers)?
1. The name of “my God”? (see Zech. 14:20-21)
2. The name of the “city of my God, the New Jerusalem which is coming down out of the heaven of my God”(see Rev. 21:10)
3. “My new name” (Rev. 19:12)
e. In giving these precious promises, the Lord prefaces by saying: “I am coming soon” (v. 11), but He certainly has not come yet:
- What is the purpose of such an emphasis to the church in Philadelphia?
- What does it mean to us today?
(7) What is the message to you today? How may you apply it to your life?
Note 1:
This city is fittingly known as the city of “brotherly love” because of the loyalty of Attalaus II Philadelphus to his brother Eumenes II king of Pergamum, although it is not certain which one of them actually founded the city between 189 B.C. to 138 B.C. In any case, it was built intentionally as a mission city to propagate the Hellenistic way of life because of its strategic locale earning its name, “the gateway to the East”. This prosperous city was known for wine-growing and its many temples. The church in Philadelphia is the only church after the church in Smyrna that received praise and not rebuke from the Lord.
Note
2:
Isaiah 22:22ff foretells the day of the Messiah on whose shoulder is put the Key of David which refers to the restoration of the David Kingdom. In essence, though, it points to Christ who will sit on the throne of David to rule, not just the Israelites, but over the kingdoms of the world. The Key signifies authority, reign and power.
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Him who overcomes, I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it.” (Rev. 3:11-12)
It is interesting to note that before the Lord gives the faithful in Philadelphia the glorious promise of being a pillar in the temple of God, the New Jerusalem, He gives them two negative assurances:
(1) “No one will take your crown” which refers to the crown of life, their eternal life that assures them of not being hurt at all by the second death (2:10-11).
(2) “Never again will he leave it” which refers to their permanent belonging to God’s presence in heaven.
Why does the Lord choose to give these negative assurances? I believe it has much to do with the persecution they are experiencing at the time.
From the Book of Acts, we understand that Christians are driven out of the Jewish synagogues all over Asia. Some Jews even incited the locals to put them in prison, like in Thessalonica (Acts 17). Obviously, some believers could not handle such persecution, and might be tempted to give up their faith, It is under such real threats of apostasy that the Lord urges them to hold on to what they have—the gospel of Jesus Christ—like their Olympic athletes, to persevere till the end, because the crown of life—eternal life—is theirs already.
For some believers who are also Jews, their being driven out of their synagogue amounts to a forfeiture of their Jewish nationality. It is still the case today, as all people of Jewish origin can automatically return to Israel and be recognized as Jewish citizens, but not those who have become Christians. Therefore the Lord reminds them it is far more important to belong to the true temple of God. If they remain faithful, they will have no fear of being driven out it at all. Never!
How fitting are these assurances, though negative, to the suffering church in Philadelphia!
The church in Laodicea (see Note below)
(1) As the Lord’s last letter before revealing “what must soon take place” (1:1), what is the significance of each of His self-addresses:
a. The “Amen”? (see Isaiah 65:16 where the literal translation of the expression “God of truth” is “God of Amen”; also refer to Deut. 27:14ff for use as the end of prayers)
b. The “Faithful and True Witness”? (see 1:5 and 19:11)
c. “The “Ruler of God’s creation”? (see Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:15ff; note that the word “beginning” in Greek is the exact word translated as “ruler” here)
(2) Rebukes (vv. 16-17)
a. Lukewarm (v. 16)
- Using drinking water as an analogy, why does the Lord wish that they are either cold or hot?
- What would the Lord do if they were hot (as in being zealous in spirit or in their love for God)?
- What would the Lord do if they were cold? (Matt. 24:12)
- Now that they are lukewarm, what does the Lord threaten to do?
- Which of the above describe your spiritual temperature today?
b. Spiritually poor (v. 17)—They are obviously wealthy physically with gold and silver etc.:
- How might their physical wealth make them think that spiritually they are rich?
- What might have blinded them from realizing that they are in fact wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked before the Lord?
(3) Call to Repentance (v. 18)—They are told to buy from the Lord:
a. Not just gold, but “refined” gold in order to be truly rich. What does it mean? (see 1 Pet. 1:7 and David’s prayer in Psalm 139:23)
b. White clothes to wear to cover their shame. What does it mean? How can they get them? (Rev. 3:4, 5; 4:5; 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; 19:14)
c. Salve to put on their eyes so that they can see. What is that eye-salve that can heal their spiritual blindness? (Matt. 6:19-24)
(4) The Encouragement (vv. 19-20)
a. Should they be discouraged by these harsh words of rebuke and threat? Why not? (v. 19)
b. Instead of instant punishment, what does the Lord depict Himself doing? (v. 20a)
c. Have they heard His voice and His knocking? (v. 22)
d. What do they have to do?
e. What will the Lord do once they choose to open their (heart’s) door?
f. What does eating mean, especially in the Oriental culture?
g. Although this invitation to open the door is extended to the self-deluded members of the church, do you think it is equally extended to non-believers? Why or why not?
(5) The promise of reward (v. 21)
a. What then is meant by “overcomers” in this church?
b. What is the promise given to the overcomers? (see Matt. 19:28; 2 Tim. 2:12)
(6) As we come to the last letter, can you sum up:
a. The key warnings to each of the churches?
b. The key promises to each of the churches?
(7) What is the most important message to you and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
The city of Laodicea was reputed to be the richest city in the province of Phrygia, and perhaps, fittingly its church receives the most severe rebuke by the Lord. While we do not take the position that the Seven Churches in Revelation represent a historical progression of the history of the Christians churches up to the return of the Lord, Laodicea, however, does best depict the churches in our time. Laodicea was noted for its banking, its manufacture of woolen garment and its medical school which produced two famous ointments one of which was an eye-salve. The church in Laodicea was established likely through the preaching of Epaphras (Col. 1:7; 4:12-13). The Apostle Paul wrote them a letter which has been lost (Col. 4:16).
“To the one who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.” (Rev. 3:21)
It is interesting to note that even to the church in Laodicea—the church that receives the harshest rebuke, the word of exhortation is still to “overcome”. What do these Christians in Laodicea need to overcome? They were not facing death, needing to be faithful until the end like the church in Smyrna, nor were they fighting against the immoral teachings of the prophetess Jezebel in Thyatira. They simply needed to overcome their lukewarm spiritual condition, and to recognize their true condition so that they may buy from the Lord:
- Refined gold: This meant asking God to test and refine them even with trials (Psalm 139:23);
- White clothes: This meant to repent and be washed in the blood of Christ again (1 John 1:9);
- Salve for the eyes: In their case, this meant not making “treasures” as their gods anymore. (Matt. 6:19-25)
These, in fact, are what “all” believers ought to buy from the Lord anyway! By simply doing what we all need to do as genuine followers of Christ, we will all be called “overcomers” and we will not only rule with Christ (2:26; 2 Tim. 2:12), but also sit with Christ on His throne. This applies to you and to me.
That is such a marvelous picture of our complete union in Christ—we in Christ and Christ in us! There is no greater glory than this, and this is the share of all who have opened their hearts to let Him come—eternal life in Him forever!
The first vision is now over. After the glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus and the words given to the Seven Churches in Asia at the time, John is given a second vision in which he is shown the throne of God in heaven in chapters 4 and 5. This vision is clearly about the future as 5:13 indicates. The future events that lead to the consummation of God’s plan of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ are now revealed through the unsealing of a scroll in heaven.
4:1—The Introduction to the 2nd vision
(1) “After this I looked”: What is John referring to?
(2) What does John see? (Note: John is honestly recording what he sees, but in a vision of the non-materialistic realm in heaven, God has to use materialistic symbols to convey to John and us the reality of the heavenly. So John sees a “door”, but it does not mean that heaven has a door but it signifies “entrance” into the heavenly realm. This applies to all heavenly things in all of his visions, including the faces of the four living creatures.)
(3) Who is the one who now speaks to him again? (see 1:10-13)
(4) What are the things he is going to be shown about?
4:2-6a—The Throne of God in Heaven
(5) John is shown a throne in heaven (v. 2). What does a throne signify?
(6) What is the One who sits on the throne like? (v. 3)
(7) What is the throne encircled by? (v. 4)
(8) The 24 other thrones:
a. Who are the ones seated on these thrones? (see Note below)
b. Since thrones denote rule and authority: Together with their dresses (see 3:4, 5; 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; 19:14) and crowns, what do they portray about the elders?
(9) What do lightning and thunder signify? (Exod. 19:16ff)
(10) What are blazing before the throne? (v. 5) What do they signify? (1:4)
(11) What does the throne appear to sit on? (v. 6a)
(12) Turn to Ezekiel 1:26-28 and read Ezekiel’s perception of the same heavenly throne of God.
(13) What do both visions have in common?
(14) What is the message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
As “elders” always refer to human beings, I tend to agree with those commentators who interpret them as symbolic of the church in its totality—a combination of the 12 Israeli patriarchs and the 12 apostles. This is also in tune with the scene of the New Jerusalem in which the 12 gates and 12 foundations are inscribed with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel and the names of the 12 apostles respectively (21:12-14).
“At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.” (Rev. 4:2)
The revelation of the Apostle John begins with the glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus at which John imperceptibly falls at His feet as though dead (1:17). It is with such a glorious appearance that the Lord Jesus delivers His message to the Seven Churches in the form of seven letters.
The recipients of these letters no doubt
will come to realize that their Lord sees and
knows everything concerning them and what they are facing. The words of rebuke and encouragement are
invariably framed with the future in sight—including their immediate future,
the End-time and the eternal realm. However, their immediate future and the End-time point to even greater
sufferings for them and severe judgment for the whole world before His return
which, in the visions to come, will be described in greater details, such as in
12:12:
"Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
Therefore,
before the revelation of such woes, it is necessary for John and the churches
to have a glimpse of the throne of God in heaven so they might behold (in the
words of Robert Mounce)
“a vision of a sovereign God in full command of the course of human affairs as they move swiftly to their denouement. On the plane of history the church appears unable to resist the might of hostile worldly powers, but the course of history is not determined by political power but by God enthroned and active. At His appointed time the scroll of destiny is to be handed to the Lamb, who Himself will open the seals, bring history to a close, and usher in the eternal state.”
(NICOT, Revelation, 116)
The Worship of the Four Living Creatures & the Elders (see Note below)
4:6b-9—The Four Living Creatures
(1) They are covered with eyes front and back. What do they symbolize?
a. What might their four faces symbolize?
- Lion (see Prov. 30:30)
- Ox (see Ps. 144:14; Prov. 14:4)
- Man (Gen. 1:27)
- Flying Eagle (see Ps. 103:5; Isa. 40:31)
b. What are their wings for? (see Isa. 6:2)
(2) What do they do day and night? (v. 8; see Isa. 6:3)
(3) How does their song of praise differ from that of the Seraphim in Isaiah 6?
(4) What might be the reason for the difference given the context of this vision?
4:10-11—The 24 Elders
(5) They join in to praise God. What do both vv. 9 and 10 address God as and why?
(6) How do the elders worship? (v. 10)
(7) What does it signify?
(8) The elders’ song of praise (v. 11)
a. What do they ascribe to God?
b. What reason do they give in their praise?
c. How might this praise echo the four faces of the four living creatures?
(9) It is helpful for us to close our eyes and allow the eyes of our mind to visualize the scene in heaven about which we have just read in this chapter. Why not join them in worship right now!
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
Although the four living creatures in Revelation and Ezekiel have some differences in their symbolic description, they have far more in common. They should depict the same “cherubim” (Ezek. 10:15) who are “an exalted order of angelic beings…the immediate guardians of the throne” (NICOT, 124) From Ezekiel’s vantage point, he sees the four faces of each cherub, while John from his vantage point sees only one side of the faces of each cherub, but the symbols of their faces convey the same spiritual essence.
“They laid their crowns before the throne...” (Rev. 4:10)
Although we cannot be sure who these 24 elders are or represent, since the term “elders” is necessarily a human term, I tend to agree with those commentators who interpret them as symbolic of the church in its totality—a combination of the 12 Israeli patriarchs and the 12 apostles. This is also in tune with the scene of the New Jerusalem in which the 12 gates and 12 foundations are inscribed with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel and the names of the 12 apostles respectively (21:12-14).
The fact that they need no introduction to John also signifies that they must have dressed like and look like elders in a setting with which John is familiar. However it is interesting to note that these 24 elders serve to confirm the promises made by the Lord to the seven churches in that
- They are seated on thrones that surround the throne of God and that serves to confirm the promise to rule made by the Lord to the overcomers (2:26ff; 3:21).
- They are dressed in white and that also confirms the granting of righteousness to the overcomers (3:5, 18) .
- They wear golden crowns on their heads and that also confirm the promise of the crown of life made to them (2:10; 3:11).
However, it is also worth noting that as these elders join the four living creatures (likely cherubim) in worship, they will leave their seats (i.e. their thrones), lay their crowns before the throne and fall down before the throne of God and worship. This is an obvious sign of utter humility to signify that they are totally unworthy to occupy their position of authority, and whatever they might have achieved or earned (as the crowns signify), they need to lay on the ground as dust and the only fitting thing to do before Lord God Almighty is to prostrate before Him.
This is the heavenly model of worship that we need to emulate every time we come before the Lord to worship Him—a worship of utter humility and unworthiness!