Revelation 4:4

John saw 24 thrones surrounding the main throne in what is obviously a subordinate relationship. The throne is a place of rule. Evidently these elders will have positions of authority under God.

The identity of the 24 elders (Gr. presbyteros) is difficult to determine. There have been two basic views: men and angels. If they are human beings, they may be representatives of Israel, the church, or both groups. [Note: Smith, A Revelation . . ., p. 104; Walvoord, The Revelation . . ., pp. 106-7; Alford, 4:596; J. D. Pentecost, Things to Come, pp. 207-9; John F. McGahey, "The Identity of the Twenty-Four Elders," (Th.M. thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1954); Ironside, p. 82; Barclay, The Revelation . . ., 1:19-25; Tenney, pp. 189-90; Swete, p. 69; Stanton, pp. 200-4; David J. MacLeod, "The Adoration of God the Creator: An Exposition of Revelation 4," Bibliotheca Sacra 164:654 (April-June 2007):207.] If angels, they could be angelic representatives of either of the Old Testament priestly orders (cf. 1 Chronicles 24:4-5; 1 Chronicles 25:9-13), or angelic representatives of the faithful of all ages, or a special group or class of angels. [Note: Thomas, Revelation 1-7, p. 348; Bullinger, p. 219; Lange, p. 152; James Moffatt, "The Revelation of St. John the Divine," in The Expositor’s Greek Testament, 5:378; Beckwith, pp. 498-99; John Phillips, Exploring Revelation, p. 103; Alexander Reese, The Approaching Advent of Christ, p. 92; Ladd, p. 75; Beasley-Murray, p. 114; Beale, p. 322. See Aune, pp. 287-92, for a helpful summary of the views.]

I think the 24 elders are either 12 human leaders of Israel and 12 human leaders of the church or a special group of 24 angelic leaders who represent the 12 patriarchs of Israel and the 12 apostles of the church. All that John wrote about them fits angels, and some of what he wrote could fit some men. Their song of praise seems to set them apart from those purchased by Christ’s blood (Revelation 5:9-10). However, "elder" is a term used nowhere else in the Bible to describe angels. Their number may relate to the 24 priestly orders in Israel that worshipped and served the Lord (1 Chronicles 23:6; 1 Chronicles 24:7-18). They evidently serve God by executing His will in the universe, but they do so in rank under the four living beings of Revelation 4:6. Perhaps the four living creatures represent the general creation and the 24 elders represent the elect of God’s special creation. [Note: Beale, p. 322.]

White apparel is the characteristic dress of angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; Mark 16:5; John 20:12; Acts 1:10). These elders wore crowns (Gr. stephanous). This Greek word often refers to a victor’s crown (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:11), but John also used it to describe a crown that represents authority (Revelation 6:2; Revelation 9:7; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 14:14).