Some believe that the Earth may be the future location of Heaven (Romans 8:19-22, Matthew 5:5, Revelation 21:1; 2 Peter 3:10,13). Others believe Heaven is a planet located somewhere in the Universe or even in the Sun! In actuality, Heaven exists outside the dimensions of both space and time. What is known is that the Redeemed will go to be in the presence of the Lord forever more.
The Bible says that the first Earth and Heaven, as they are currently known, will pass from one condition to another as they are renovated through a transition by fire (2 Peter 3;10-13; Isaiah 65:17; 66:22-24). The Earth will not be destroyed because the "earth abideth forever" (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Psalm 104:5,119:90).
The Apostle John saw a picture of a prostitute who represented the evil city, "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations" (Revelation 17:5 ESV). In contrast, he was also shown the new Holy City of God.
"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared a bride adorned for her husband." (Revelation 21:2 ESV - also 21:9-11)
The word "heaven" is the Greek word 'ouranos' and refers to the visible heavens, sky, atmosphere, the spiritual heavens. The word "as" is the Greek word 'hós' which means like, as, in the same manner.
The Body and Bride of Christ
Jesus is the head of the universal Church, which is comprised of those who are Born-Again and is referred to as the Body of Christ because their physical body, which houses the mind and spirit, is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The word "temple" in Greek refers to the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of God. The universal Church is the Body of Christ, and all Born-Again Christians are "members of His body" (Ephesians 5:30 ESV). This "mystery" is great (Ephesians 5:32 ESV). The word "mystery" (Gk: 'muste¯rion') means something which is concealed, hidden, an unknown truth that is not discoverable by observation or inference, but something that a person must be taught or have revealed to them before they can understand it.
Every Born-Again Christian is a member of Jesus and belongs to Him (Ephesians 4:12; Romans 7:4; 1 Corinthians 6:15, 12:2,27). Each person who is a member of the Church, the Body of Christ, is His Bride (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:9, 22:17). The "bride, the wife of the Lamb" is not a description of Heaven or a physical building but a figurative description of each person that makes up the assembly of God's people, the universal Church.
The Bride of Christ will live with Jesus for all eternity in the Kingdom of God, the Father's House which is currently in the Third Heaven and will come to Earth as the New Jerusalem when Jesus returns to set up His millennial Kingdom. The New Jerusalem is the capital city of the Universe's and the future home of the Redeemed. It will be moved from its current location in the Third Heaven to Earth forever. It is adorned in splendor like a bride but is not a description of the Bride of Christ. The city is the complete opposite of the old Jerusalem before and after the Babylonian captivity. It is called 'new' because it is always fresh and new every morning, just as God's mercies are new every morning. Yet, it is as old as Heaven itself and was promised to exclusively to the Redeemed (Hebrews 11:1-16; Psalm 93;2; 103:19).
"Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty - but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." (Revelation 21:27 NLT)
"Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie." (Revelation 22:14-15 NLT)
Just as the "Father's House" is currently in the Third Heaven, the New Jerusalem is the "Father's House" on the New Earth and is called the Bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2).
"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:2-3 KJV)
The word translated as "Father's House" is 'stadia' in Greek and refers to a stadium. A Greek or Roman stadium averaged about 1/8 of a Roman mile or 220 yards. The New Jerusalem is "laid out like a square, as long as it was wide" and is "12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long." (Revelation 21:16 NIV). 12,000 stadia x 220 yards per stadia x 3 feet per yard divided by 5280 feet per mile equals nearly 1500 miles on each side. So, according to the Bible, the "Father's House" - the New Jerusalem - is to be 1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide, and 1500 miles high. That equates to almost 2 million square miles per floor or over a billion square feet! If you allow a generous 12-foot high ceiling per floor, that's over 600,000 floors! If you gave each person a generous 2,000 square feet of living space, the New Jerusalem could house over 341 billion people! That is almost 50 times more than the Earth's total population as I write this! God originally intended EVERY human being to live there for eternity.
The term "rooms" is the Greek word 'moné' which means an abode, dwelling, or residence. The term "place" is the Greek word 'topos,' meaning a specific and separated space or area. The Throne of God is there, the streets are made of gold like transparent glass, the walls are made of jewels and have 12 gates made of one pearl (Revelation 21:21-22).
The New Jerusalem will not have a separate sanctuary because God will be its sanctuary (Revelation 21:22). It will not need light because God's glory will illuminate it (Revelation 21:23-25, 22:5; Isaiah 60:19-20). There is a 'sea of glass, like crystal' near the throne of God that looks and moves like the ocean, yet is transparent like glass and brilliantly pure (Revelation 4:6,15:2 ESV). A river flows from God's Throne, a perpetual outpouring of blessings and abundant life (Revelation 22:1-2). There is a tree of life on both sides of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit each month and whose leaves provide healing to the nations (Revelation 22:2-3). Jesus will dwell there, and the people will know and serve Him forever (Revelation 22:3-5).
The 24 Elders
"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." (Revelation 4:4 ESV)
"And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever." (Revelation 4:9-10 ESV)
The 24 Elders are seen in various parts of the book of Revelation, and the number 24, as a symbolic number, occurs only in this book for these elders (Revelation 4:4-10,7:11, 11:16; 19:4). The Bible is not exactly clear who the 24 Elders are, but the Bible gives us some clues as to their identity. They act as priests who constantly enter into worship day and night for all eternity (Revelation 4:9-11; 5:8-10, 14; 11:16; 19:4).
The Greek word 'elders' is 'presbuteros' and refers to a mature older man who was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and oversaw the keeping of the Law. It is used in the church to refer to those who provide "oversight" (Gk: 'episkopeo' - the verb form of "overseer") to local congregations (1 Timothy 3:1-7,15, 5:17; Titus 1:5-7). They are also called 'shepherds' (Gk: ‘poimaino’), and the word is used interchangeably with "pastor" (Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1–2; Ephesians 4:11). These three terms refer to one office. Luke wrote that Paul gathered together the "elders," called them "overseers," and encouraged them to "care for" (literally "shepherd") the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17, 28).
Throughout the Bible, the term "elder" is used exclusively in reference to human beings. Some believe the 24 Elders are 'redeemed' men, specifically resurrected Christians who ascended with Jesus to Heaven. The Redeemed include Old Testament saints (Acts 7:38; Hebrews 11; 12:1), the distinct group of 144,000 Jews (Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5), and those who were Born-Again and make up the New Testament Church that Jesus began and will present it to Himself when He appears again on earth (Ephesians 5:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Ephesians 1:20-23; 2:14-22; 4:12-16; 5:21-32; Colossians 1:18,24).
Another interpretation is the 24 Elders are part of the angelic hosts in Heaven instead of human beings because they are ministering the prayers of the saints along with the four Living Creatures, the Seraphim and Cherubim (Isaiah 6:1-3; Ezekiel 1:26-28,10:1; Revelation 4:6-8,5:6-10,8:3-4). The Greek term 'presbiteros' means 'elder' and is never used for Angels in the Old Testament. The word denotes maturity and growth. Holy Angels could not be designated with this term because they were all created simultaneously.
In addition, Angels don't wear crowns and sit on thrones. They never sit in the presence of God. Only Born-Again human beings are rewarded symbolic crowns of life and clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. However, Jesus promised Born-Again Christians to sit with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:21). God positionally made them sit together in the heavenly places in Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).
Most Bible scholars agree that the 24 Elders represent the Patriarchs of the 12 Tribes and the 12 Apostles, who led the Old and New Testament Church, respectively.
Under the Old Covenant, the priests were descendants of Aaron the High Priest and were used to establish the ministry of the High Priest and rule as governors of the house of God (1 Chronicles 24). There was a total of two 12-person sections of the Levitical priesthood in the Old Testament, and these 24 priests and Levites determined the order in which they would minister before the Lord in the sanctuary (1 Chronicles 24:1-19; 25; 2 Chronicles 8:14). After the death of Jesus, the 24 sections ceased because Jesus became the High Priest and mediator between God and humanity which ended the need for the 24 Elder priesthood (Matthew 27:50-51; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:5). The 24 priest elders of the Old Testament were the copy and shadow of what is in Heaven. Everything in the earthly Temple was patterned after the preexisting heavenly Temple, including the 24 Priests/Elders! However, the 24 Elders may be the literal 24 Elders of the Temple priesthood.
Under the New Testament, there are only 12 Apostles who Jesus chose as the New Testament counterpart to the patriarchs of the 12 Tribes of Israel. He used them to complete the Old and New Covenant gap. The names of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles are written on the twelve foundation walls and gates of the New Jerusalem, and 12 Angels stand there (Revelation 21:10-14).
All that being said, when John had the Revelation, he was still alive and looking at the 24 Elders in Heaven, which raises the question, how could he see himself? However, that being said, there is no time or matter in Heaven like it exists on earth, so that it could be possible. Regardless of who they are, the point is that they are sitting around the throne of Jesus, and it should be assumed that they are giving their power, glory, and honor to the True High Priest, Jesus, who sits before them.
The bottom line, it is not clearly revealed in the Bible who the 24 Elders are or what they expressly represent, and we won't know for sure until we get to Heaven. Once we are there, I don't think it will matter.
Seated on Thrones
The Elders are seated on thrones which are seats of power and authority.
"The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne." (Revelation 3:21 ESV)
The only other mention of thrones in the book of Revelation are those promised to the redeemed who take part in the first resurrection and rule and reign during the Millennium with Jesus (Matthew 19:28; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:10; 3:21; 20:4).
Crowns of Gold
The 24 Elders wear crowns of gold on their heads, which are crowns of kings who humble themselves before the King of kings and cast them down before His throne (Matthew 19:28; Revelation 2:10,3:11,4:4). The Bible tells us that those who become Born-Again are promised symbolic crowns for spiritual accomplishments (1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Thessalonians. 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4).
Some speculate the crowns on their heads are the Crown of Life, which is symbolic of being clothed in the righteousness of Jesus and because they have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (James 1:12; Revelation 3:5,18; 6:11; 7:9,13; 15:6; 19:8,14).
Golden Vials
The 24 Elders hold in their hand's golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of saints, and sing a new song, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood, you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…" (Revelation 5:8-9a ESV).
Dressed In White
The 24 Elders are dressed in white (*The color white is never used in Scripture to represent innocence) and sit on their thrones before God and fall on their faces worshiping the ancient of days for eternity (Revelation 4:4,11:15-18). The redeemed are promised to wear pure white clothing (Revelation 3:5,18, 19:7-8).
Four garments were called the "white garments" worn by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement and by the ordinary priests all year round (Leviticus 16:4). They were a tunic, pants, turban, and the belt. The garments were made from white flax, a small and delicate plant that lives for only one year with white flowers. They were to be woven with threads made of six individual strands of fabric (Exodus 28:40-42).
White Clothing and Crown
The Priests wore special garments, or uniforms, throughout the year, and the High Priest wore them on the Day of Atonement, called the "white garments" (Exodus 28:40-42; Leviticus 16:4). The four garments were the tunic, pants, turban, and a belt. They were made from white flax. They were not sewn but woven seamlessly with six individual strands of fabric as one piece. Jesus wore a seamless tunic. They were essential for the priests to function in their sacred capacity because they showed that the wearers were standing in service to God. The quality was so excellent that those who wore them were elevated to the highest level of sanctity required from those who came to serve before God in the holy place. The garments possessed a certain holiness that was powerful enough to sanctify all those who came in contact with them (Ezekiel 44:19). No priest was considered fit to serve in the Temple unless they wore the sacred garments.
Jesus wore a seamless tunic (Gk: 'chiton,' also translated as clothes, robe, coat, garment) given to Him. The soldiers who crucified Him divided His over-garment (Gk: 'himatia') into four pieces but did not divide the tunic. They cast lots/gambled to determine who would keep it because of its quality and value (John 19:23–24; Psalm 22:18–19).
The High Priest wore a gold crown of pure gold fastened on his forehead to a "turban by a cord of blue" (Exodus 28:34,36 ESV). A crown was reserved exclusively for royalty. Jesus is seen wearing a crown along with the 24 elders.
12 Stones of the High Priest's Breastplate
"You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius,b topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree. There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes. You shall make for the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold." (Exodus 28:17-22 ESV)
Through these attributes of Divine interaction, we glimpse the greatness of Jesus.
