A Multitude of Saints Worshiping Around the Throne

The great Jehovah God is seated on His throne in the celestial heavens and is fully prepared for the heavenly court. Over six thousand years have passed since a serpent possessed by Lucifer walked into the garden and deceived God’s perfect couple, Adam and Eve. From the venom of lies in the garden, sin has touched every offspring of Adam. The upheaval of the earth by the Noahic flood left its scars on a sin-cursed earth. There is not one element of the created world unspoiled by the flood of evil, and it’s now time for redemption. The celestial city of Jerusalem, now in heaven, and its inhabitants are the only untouched geography in the cosmos, and the court will be held in its temple. David must have had a slight view of this seven-year session. “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.” (Psalms 48:1-3)

I’m reminded of the words of Apostle Paul when he sought to excite us of God’s love for us: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (I Corinthians 2:9-11)

We know this drama before John had to be seen as future because the saints are here gathered around the throne of God. They are seated on lesser thrones than the Father’s but in positions of heavenly authority. To add to their authority is the description of them, not as saints, but Elders. Look at the perfect wording. “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 4:4)

Understand that these twenty four elders cannot be limited in number but rather seen as the church triumphant. The First Testament church is always described with the term “The Twelve Tribes,” or “The Twelve Patriarchs”. The New Testament Church is seen as “The Twelve Apostles, or Disciples” of our Jesus Christ. Together, the twenty-four elders are the Raptured Saints prepared for their role in every event from the Rapture until they inherit the city of New Jerusalem. The city will reflect the same twenty Four elders with the Apostles name on the twelve foundations and the twelve Tribes of Israel on the twelve Gates of Pearl leading into the city. Everything about this scene of our Father on His Throne is future and cannot be imagined in the present church world. Listen and look as John describes what he saw: “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.” (Revelation 4:5-6)