The four and twenty elders, although representing themselves as a part of this redeemed company, evidently have some special signification; for they are presented to us as separate characters from the four living creatures. Who are they? Undoubtedly they represent the ministers of God, the number twenty-four also signifying perfection or completeness, being drawn from certain facts connected with the two dispensations in which God has had a clerical ministry. The natural heads of the tribes of Israel were the twelve patriarchs; while the spiritual heads of the Christian church are the twelve apostles of the Lamb, they constituting a part of the foundation upon which it is built. Eph. 2:20. In a subsequent chapter we have an account of the sealing of the twelve tribes, by which is meant the sealing, not of the literal Israel, but of the spiritual, the twelve tribes being selected from the proper department to stand as a symbol of the true Israel in this dispensation, which is expressly said to consist of people of all nations. Natural Israel and spiritual Israel are frequently used to designate God's people; so, also, in the case before us the twelve patriarchs as heads of the natural Israel and the twelve disciples as heads (in one important sense) of the spiritual Israel are taken to represent the entire ministry. In the description of the New Jerusalem we find conspicuously inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, thus making the number twenty-four. Chap. [21:12], [14].

Although the ministers seem to be a special class among those constituting the redeemed multitude, yet their intimate connection with the remainder is set forth under another symbol—that of wings attached to the four living creatures. Each of the four living ones possessed six wings, which, taken numerically, make up twenty-four again. The wings of a living creature would signify its means of flight; and it is by the action of the ministry, who "go into all the world" as flying messengers to preach the everlasting gospel, that the church of God is established among all nations. Thus, under the symbol of living creatures with wings is set forth the glorious harmony and unity that exists in the body of Christ between ministry and laity.

The elders are represented as being clothed in white raiment and as possessing golden crowns. "White raiment" is a symbol of righteousness (chap. [19:8]), while crowns represent special power and authority. God's ministers possess both. They are made righteous through the blood of the everlasting covenant and are given power over all the power of the enemy and authority to heal the sick and to cast out devils.

The entire company are engaged in worshiping God unceasingly, the elders casting their crowns before the throne, thus ascribing all praise, honor, and glory to Him who has delegated to them the authority they possess. And may we, my brethren, never grow weary in well-doing and conclude that the worship of God grows monotonous; but let us, with heart and soul, join the universal chorus, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty."

CHAPTER V.

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

9. And they sung a new song, saying, 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;

10. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

13. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard it saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.