How comforting the thought that God is sovereign. By faith in Christ, He is our Father in heaven. But an Omnipotent Father, who reigns heaven and earth. That is what John sees and is described for us in Revelation 4:1-3.
But God does not rule alone. Oh yes, well, it is He who rules and has all power in heaven and on earth. His throne is the center of heaven. But He has a council—a council made up of 24 elders. We read in verse 4, “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.”
They sit on 24 thrones and may rule with Him. Who are these elders? They are certainly not angels. After all, the book of Revelation constantly calls angels simply “angels.” Why would there be a sudden departure from that here in this passage? In Revelation 5:9 and 10, we hear these 24 elders singing: “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” So, the 24 elders are redeemed; they are human beings. Then the question remains, whether these are people from the Old and the New Testaments. These elders most probably represent the church from the Old and the New Testaments. Twenty-four total, representing the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles (Revelation 21:12,14). They represent the church that is already in heaven and reigns with the Lamb before God's throne. See also Revelation 20:4.
Look what they are wearing! Crowns on their heads and white robes. And they, too, are seated. There is peace for them. The battle is over for them. They are washed in the blood of Christ and, therefore, clean. They wear the garments of Christ’s righteousness (Matthew 22:11,12). They have thrones, for they have persevered and now wear the crown of righteousness (1 Tim 4:8), life (James 1:12), and glory (1 Peter 5:4). Christ wore a crown of thorns, but they received out of His hands a crown of glory.
How glorious is this prospect for the redeemed! How comforting and consoling for the church that is now still in tribulation and temptation. “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalms 17:15)