"Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones,
and seated on them were twenty-four elders.
They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."
In a continuation of John's heavenly vision, there are 24 elders seen seated on 24 thrones. These are believed to be the 12 apostles and the 12 founders of the tribes of Israel, although their exact identities are unconfirmed. The elders worship and praise the Lord, casting their crowns before Him.
They all appear clad in white apparel and crowns which are a representation of holiness, and they express their confirmation of the Lordship of Christ on His Throne by laying their crowns of gold at His feet. Knowing the identity of the 24 elders is not the focus of this passage, else the Apostle John would have told us plainly. No, this is the Revelation of the One upon the Throne, the King of Glory, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is seated at the right hand of God and is worthy of all honor and praise and blessing and glory. These elders cast their crowns at His feet in recognition of this magnificent truth. May He love us eternally!
