Revelation 4:4

4. Round about the throne Forming a full circle, at such distance from the throne as to make an area in the midst.

Seats Thrones: the same Greek word as for the throne just mentioned. For these elders are kings, with both thrones and crowns of gold royal elders, “kings and priests.” Their lesser thrones surround the greater throne, as in fealty to the great King.

Four and twenty The twice twelve of the Old Testament and the New Testament Church, the patriarchal and apostolic twelve. See our note on symbolic numbers, at close of Luke 6:0. Says Bossuet, (quoted by Hengstenberg,) “It is the totality of the saints of the Old and New Testament Church who are here represented by their chiefs and elders. The same totality of saints is represented in the twelve gates of the holy city, on which were written the names of the twelve tribes, and in the foundation of that city, on which were written the names of the twelve apostles, Revelation 21:12; Revelation 21:14. In a word, one sees in these twenty-four elders the whole Church in its leaders.” And as throned and crowned, they represent the Church of all ages, both militant and triumphant. The delightful import of the symbol is, that the Church is very nigh and very dear to God in his administration of the governments of the world.

Crowns The crown proper of the New Testament ( στεφανος , from στεφω , to wreathe or weave a garland or chaplet) was originally used for honour to a victor or ruler, and adopted as an ensign of royalty.

Different was the diadem, (from δια , around, and δεω , to bind,) which was originally a tie around the heads of oriental monarchs, and, being far more imperial, was adopted by the Emperor Diocletian and his successor as matter of regal pride. The Greek for diadem is used in only three passages in the New Testament, namely, Revelation 12:3, of the dragon; Revelation 13:1, of the beast; and Revelation 19:12, of the Messiah.