The number 24 came to me in a very special way today and I immediately thought about Revelation chapter 4…
“And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”
Revelation 4:4, KJV
Personally, I have always leaned towards the belief that the 24 elders called out here are the 12 patriarchs of the Old Testament and the 12 disciples of the New Testament. These elders symbolically reference the cohesion of the two eras and the completeness of the rule and authority of Almighty God. Most already pin divine authority and rule to the number of 12 so the combination of the two groups of original servants of the Most High bring about a special blessing of wholeness and final completeness. I think this is especially true given the context of “end times” in Revelation.
There are some other very significant symbolisms tied to the number 24 throughout the scriptures. For instance, it was King David who divided those responsible for the music in temple services, those who served as priests, and the Levites who aided the priests, into 24 courses (1Chronicles 23 – 24). Psalm 72 lists 24 things that Jesus Christ, as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, will do when He sits upon His throne and rules as King and Priest during the Millennium. The book of Luke contains 24 chapters and the book of Mark contains Old Testament references from 24 books.
If you are looking to jump start your prayer life or do something more deliberate and meaningful during your private time with God consider reciting the Lord’s Prayer twenty-four times. I’ve done this straight through before and find it to be very fulfilling to my spirit and soul. Perhaps make a list of twenty-four friend and family members and pray for each of them during your devotion time, or throughout the week, or the month. If you want to delve into the Word of God maybe do a study, or some specific reading, about the 12 original patriarchs and the 12 the disciples of Christ. There are so many things you can do, centered around the number 24, that will be a blessing and source of inspiration and strength if you feel the spirit so leading or pulling you towards this powerful number.
Revelation 4:4 in context
1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Revelation 4:1-7, KJV
