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NASB | Revelation 4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 4:4 Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads. |
Bible Question:
Acts 1:15-26. I know the scripture prophesies that Judas will be replaced after his death (acts 1:20). I am not questioning this as a reason for the choosing of Matthias as a replacement for Judas. If God says it do it. My question: Is there any significance assoiciated with the number of the apostles--12? Can parallels be drawn between the 12 tribes that established the nation of Israel and the 12 apostle that established the N.T church? |
Bible Answer: Greetings schwartzkm! Revelation 4:4 states, "4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads." (NAS) This is the closest verse that I can find that would correlate the number of the tribes of Israel with the number of NT apostles immediately after the ascension of Jesus. There are several interpretations of this verse and I will include two as 'valid' opinions.. The first one is: "4:4 The identity of the 24 elders can be established from a careful observation of the descriptive data. They are clothed in white, indicating purity; seated on thrones, suggesting responsibility and status; crowned with victors’ wreaths (, Gk.); and they themselves bear witness that they have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and, therefore, constitute a kingdom of priests (5:10, “us” NU, M them, “kings” NU a kingdom). Such a description can only represent redeemed humanity. Twenty-four is twice twelve. In the picturesque vision of the New Jerusalem in ch. 21, the city is said to have twelve pearl gates, inscribed with the names of the twelve sons of Jacob, and twelve foundations, inscribed with the names of the twelve apostles. A similar truth is presented in the number of elders. Both O.T. and N.T. saints are gathered as the family of God in heaven and are here represented in the 24 elders." (Believer's Study Bible) "The number 24 is often understood to reflect the 12 Israelite tribes of the OT and the 12 apostles of the NT." (Zondervan's NASB Study Bible) And the second: "4:4 twenty-four elders. Their joint rule with Christ, their white garments (19:7,8), and their golden crowns (2:10) all seem to indicate that these 24 represent the redeemed (vv. 9-11; 5:5-14; 7:11-17; 11:16-18; 14:3; 19:4). The question is which redeemed? Not Israel, since the nation is not yet saved, glorified, and coronated. That is still to come at this point in the events of the end. Their resurrection and glory will come at the end of the 7 year tribulation time (cf. Dan 12:1-3). Tribulation saints aren't yet saved (7:9,10). Only one group will be complete and glorified at that point- the church. Here elders represent the church, which sings the song of redemption (5:8-10). They are the overcomers who have their crowns and live in the place prepared for them, where they have gone with Jesus (cf. John 14:1-4)." (The MacArthur NKJV Study Bible, 1997 Word Publishing) --Nolan |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Rev 4:4 | Author | ||
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userdoe220 | ||
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Makarios | ||
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userdoe220 | ||
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D.D.1961 | ||
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rsunlan | ||
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Mikel | ||
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Diane Salazar |