Twenty-four Elders -Revelation 4:4-11

Revelation 4:4 ESV
Around the throne were twenty- four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty- four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

Elders appeared in the Old Testament. They were comprised of mature leaders who represented and dispensed wisdom among the people. We see here before the throne those who wear crowns and white robes, seated on thrones themselves. Various speculations have been put forth as to whom they might represent. There are some verses which seem to point to those who believe in Christ and have overcome the world. We are told they will be clothed in white robes, will be given crowns of life, and will reign with Him with His authority. One of the seven blessings of Revelation is reigning with Christ for a thousand years. Jesus promised over-comers they would rule with Him and be a pillars in the New Jerusalem. They will have the name of God, of the Lord, and of the new city as part of their new name. Blessed are those who die in the name of the Lord, who are in the kingdom of heaven.

Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

The presence of God on the throne is confirmed by the lightening and thunder. The same was present from Mt. Sinai when God came before the Israelites in the desert. This is the fire between the Cherubim, that burned in the bush before Moses, and in which Jesus baptized believers starting with Pentecost: the very fire of God.
The sea of glass might remind us of that separation between heaven and earth, of the waters between the waters established at creation. Its smoothness can remind us of God's control and order. On earth, Jesus commanded a stormy sea to be still, and so it was.

:6b
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty- four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

The throne is comprised of four living creatures. This might represent God's sovereignty over the four corners of creation and the life therein. The eyes may infer the all seeing view that is the power of God. He sees in any and all directions, through time and space, from beginning to end.
If the creatures symbolize creation, we might be reminded that all creation finds its purpose in the worship and glory of God. He is Holy and ever present.
The elders worship and give Him glory for He is worthy.

Had The Appearance -Revelation 4:3

Revelation 4:3
And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

There is uncertainty what the stones mean here, but there are speculations. Some say the jasper was clear like a diamond. If this is the case, it might represent purity, that there is no imperfection in His light.

Ezekiel adds to this vision:


Ezekiel 1:22
22 Now over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads.
Ezekiel 10:1
1 Then I looked, and behold, in the expanse that was over the heads of the cherubim something like a sapphire stone, in appearance resembling a throne, appeared above them.
Ezekiel 1:26-28
Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man. 27 Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him. 28 As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.

If the carnelian is indeed red, it might remind us of the love of God which was shown in the shedding of His blood for us. If the emerald is green, it could be an indication of the life that is the root and essence of all life.

A rainbow might be a reminder of the sign of His covenant promise not to destroy mankind after the flood. The Hebrew word translated as "rainbow" actuality means war bow. God shows that mercy is His intent that would later come in the form of His Son.

God Can

God can reach down into any circumstance and save a repentant heart. No one is too far from His grace. He has drawn near and His word is in our mouth.

In The Spirit -Revelation 4:2

Revelation 4:2-11 ESV
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

The Spirit lifts John into a vision of God, the very throne room of heaven. We are reminded that God is indeed on His throne and is over all things, always has been and always will be. It is by His will that creation came into being and it is His will that will done.
It might be possible to relate the Spirit mentioned here to the seven spirits who stand before God in the vision of the throne room. This Spirit may also be what is referenced as the angels of the seven churches in chapters one and two. It is the Holy Spirit which reveals the word of God and guides us into all truth. Seven implies perfection and completeness.
There is one on the throne. There is one Creator and God.

Will Gather Against It

Zechariah 12:1-3 ESV
1 The oracle of the word of the Lord concerning Israel: Thus declares the Lord, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him: 2 “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. 3 On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.

He told us beforehand so that we would know that He is the Lord. It is happening now. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Your will be done.

A Rebellious House

Ezekiel 2:4-7 ESV
The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God. ’ 5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.

God gives Ezekiel a word for his people, though God knows beforehand the word will be largely rejected. Yet the Lord speaks to all of us through these words, to fulfill His will and purpose. So that in the end we will be with Him. If only they could see what the Lord has in store for them.

But they are a rebellious house.

Door Standing Open -Revelation 4:1

Revelation 4:1 ESV
1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

Things as they are give way to those things to come.

Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

John 19:30
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “ It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

Jesus opened the door to heaven and provided the way to God for each of us. He knocks at our door of our hearts that we might make a way for the Lord. This is the way things are. He gave up His spirit that we might receive the Spirit. The Holy Spirit opens the word of truth and shows us the things of God, as it is and is to come.