What are the names of the 24 Elders in the Holy Bible?

Answer 1

The most common and likely answer, if we can know it for sure that is, is that the 24 elders are the 12 patriarchs ( Jacobs 12 sons: The first eleven with their births mentioned in Genesis 29:31 thru 30:24, and the 12th being Benjamin- Genesis 35:16-19) These 12 sons of Jacob(Israel) were the fathers from which all the descendants of the 12 tribes of Israel come from. That would be 12 of the 24 elders. They are the first twelve as they are the physical fathers of the Jewish people by their 12 tribes, the people from which later would come salvation through the Jewish Messiah Jesus Christ, thus ushering in the "Church Age".

The other 12 being the 12 apostles listed in Acts 1:13, and Acts 1:24-26 (the 12th apostle here newly counted with the other eleven to make up 12 again, as the 12th apostle was Judas Iscariot. He betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver, and later because he was guilt ridden for what he did, he went out and hanged himself, and so following Judas Iscariot's fall and subsequent suicide there remained only 11 Apostles. Notice how it was deemed necessary by Peter to bring the number again up to 12 Apostles-ref: Acts1:15-26. Especially note the verse 1:22 "..MUST one be ordained to be a witness of the resurrection. These are the other 12 "elders", as they are the spiritual "fathers" of the Church. These 24 together (12 patriarchs, 12 apostles) make up the 24 ELDERS, as they are the "fathers" of those that are of the "faith of Abraham".

Paul, would be a possibility but is not counted among the 12, but a 13th apostle born out of "due time", and "least of the apostles" as he desribes himself in 1 Corinthians 15:3-9; Even though he is the most prolific; both in writings in the New Testament and ground covered during his worldwide evangelism campaigns. He's either not of the 12 apostles technically and therefore not of the 24 elders mentioned in Revelations, or Peter jumped the gun in getting a 12th apostle nominated in Acts 1, and Paul was actually the replacement that God had in mind, though this seems unlikely. Lastly, this is all circumstantial evidence for whom the 24 elders are, and not a point to be too dogmatic about, but is the best we can

determine from the hints given in the Bible.

Another View:

Many believe that the 24 Elders are/will be resurrected redeemed men from the present church age. Five inerrant marks identify the elders as representing the church:

1) their position,

2) The number (24),

3)The testimony

4)Their representative office (elder), and

5) spiritually intelligence.

They are not angels, for angels are not crowned with victory crowns received as rewards, nor are they seated on thrones, nor are angels robed in white as a result of judgment.

Nor are they Old Testament saints because Israel is not resurrected until the end of the seventieth week, nor judged nor rewarded until the coming of the Lord Jesus (see Isaiah 26:19-21 and Daniel 12:1-2). Since these are seen to be resurrected, in heaven, judged, rewarded, enthroned at the beginning of the seventieth week, it is concluded that the church must have been raptured before the seventieth week begins.

If the church is not resurrected and translated here, as some insist, and not until Revelation 20:4, how could the church be in heaven in Revelation 19:7-11?

ANOTHER ANSWER

In chapter 4 of Revelation 24 Elders are mentioned.

Rev 4 (v.4) [KJames] And round about the throne werefour and twenty seats: and upon the seats I sawfour and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

There are various different identifications of them, and obviously not all can be correct, but it can definitely be worked out who they are not through a process of elimination.

Is it Israel?:-

No, It can't be Israel because the nation has not yet recognized Christ, repented, and been glorified.

Are they Tribulation saints?:-

No, Can't be tribulation saints because they haven't been saved yet (see Rev 7:9-10).

Are they angels:-

No, It can't be the angels because they are standing with the elders.

Rev 7:11 And all the angels stood there in a circle around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground before the throne and worshiped God,

So, they are not Israel, tribulation saints, or angels.

What we do know.

(i) The 24 elders are sitting on thrones.

Going back to Revelation 4:4:-

Rev 4 (v.4) [KJames] And round about the throne werefour and twentyseats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

In the KJames version they are sitting on "seats", but his should be translated as "thrones" instead. See other translations such as ESV, NASB, NET, and NKJV which render "seats' in the phrase "....four and twenty seats: and upon the seats" in the King James as "thrones"

For example,

Rev 4:4 [NET Bible] In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns on their heads.

(ii) They are overcomers: they are with Christ who is sitting on His throne:-

Revelation 3

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

(iii) They are in heaven

Matt 5 (v.34) But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

(iv) They are wearing white garments

This means they have been declared righteous.

Rev 19 (v.8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen,clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Rev 19 (v.11) And I saw heaven opened, and behold awhitehorse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousnesshe doth judge and make war.

So this means they are saints, and they are in heaven so they are resurrected saints:-

Rev 3 (v.4) Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Ps 132 (v.9) Let thypriests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

(v) They have been rewarded by receiving crowns.

2Tim 4 (v.8) Henceforth there is laid up for me acrown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Heb 2 (v.9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death,crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Jas 1 (v.12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1Pet 5 (v.4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Rev 2 (v.10) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give theea crown of life.

Rev 4 (v.10) The four and twenty eldersfall 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,

So, the 24 Elders are sitting on thrones with Christ in heaven and are resurrected pre-tribulation raptured Christians.

Answer 2

The Bible is silent on their names. There is much speculation about them by many varying opinions as to who they are.

ANOTHER SPECULATION:

In the book of Revelation, John is transported IN VISION to the "third heaven" of God's throne [II Cor.12:2], to the days just ahead of our generation just before Jesus' return.

"...Now listen to Me! Even the prophets, I the LORD communicate BY VISIONS and DREAMS. But that is not how I communicate with My servant Moses... I speak to him face to face, directly and not in riddles..." (Num.12:6-8 NLT New Living Translation)

Here, in his vision, John sees the Person of the God Family whose throne is in heaven: called the Father:

"IN THE SPIRIT I found myself present on the Day of the LORD, and I heard behind me a loud voice which resembled the blast of a Trumpet." (Rev.1:10 WEY Weymouth's New Testament)

"...I looked and SAW A DOOR IN HEAVEN standing open, and the voice that I had previously heard, which resembled the blast of a trumpet... said, 'COME UP HERE, and I will show you things which are to happen in the future.' Immediately I FOUND MYSELF IN THE SPIRIT, and I saw a throne in Heaven, and SOME ONE SITTING ON THE THRONE... and encircling the throne was a rainbow... surrounding the throne there were also twenty-four other thrones, on which sat TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS clothed in white robes, with victor's wreaths [crowns] of gold upon their heads." (Rev.4:1-4 WEY)

One thing we may know and understand [if we believe the Words of Jesus Christ] is that these "Elders" ARE NOT MEN! Because:

"...'no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven...' " (John 3:13 KJV)

Contrary to popular belief by many different religions... Jesus tells us there AREN'T ANY MEN IN HEAVEN... except for Himself, who CAME FROM THERE. This simple understanding and trust in the Word of the LORD cuts the speculation down considerably... and brings one to the simplest conclusion that the Elders are PROBABLY ANGELS!

Seeing as how the originally inspired word for "elders" is "presbuteros," which simply means "...OLDER; as a noun, a SENIOR..." [Strong's Definitions]: it may be safely deduced that these "twenty-four Elders" are the FIRST ANGELS THAT GOD CREATED IN THE BEGINNING, to attend to Him on His throne.

Granted, this, too, is as speculative as anyone else's guess... but those who believe and trust in the Word of Jesus Christ can at least know that the Elders aren't men.

And as far as their names go... of all the angels God created who number as the stars in the "second heaven" [the planets in outer space as seen from the earth]... the Bible only names THREE: Michael, Gabriel, and Lucifer.

Answer 3

The Bible never specifically says exactly who they are. Suffice it to say then we should only think of them as specially created beings, and in that regard only for now with our limited understanding of Scripture. There is, however, some connection between the number 24 and these 24 Elders sitting on thrones. Perhaps if we recall that it was King David who established the 24 priesthood 'sections or orders' for their service throughout the year. This then seems to represent a fullness or completeness that is associated with this number 24. In any event, speculating something more than is not clearly presented or associated with the number of 24 Elders is not correct and may be misleading for others.

Answer 4

The 12 tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles