I. Name
The noun presbyteros, usually meaning ‘older’, or in a technical sense ‘elder’ (Jewish) or ‘presbyter’ (Christian), occurs 12 times in Rev referring to beings in heaven. They are always identified as ‘the twenty-four elders’.
II. Identity
Twenty-four elders appear for the first time in the vision of heaven in chap. 4 and are described as sitting on 24 thrones situated around the throne of God, dressed in white garments and with golden crowns on their heads (4.4). Also around the th…