John had first seen these elders and creatures when he was initially transported to heaven in Revelation 4. In heaven he had seen the throne of God Most High, with around his throne twenty-four elders upon their thrones (Revelation 4:4). These elders formed a sort of senate or body of advisors (Ephesians 2:6). In proximity to God’s throne John had also seen four living creatures, serving as a kind of honour guard (Revelation 4:6). These elders and creatures repeatedly praised and worshipped the Lord (Revelation 4:8–11). More, from their place around God’s throne they had witnessed the slain Lamb coming forward to receive the scroll from God’s hand (Revelation 5:6–7), and responded again with worship (Revelation 5:8–10, Revelation 5:14). Once more, the four living creatures were actively involved when the Lamb peeled open the seals of the scroll (Revelation 6:1–8). In a word, the elders and the living creatures were witnesses to the revelation that Jesus Christ showed John concerning the events that were to happen on Planet Earth in the course of the new dispensation. Now that this revelation is approaching its end (particularly the judgments in the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls, climaxing in the fall of Babylon), these witnesses take to heart the summons of Revelation 19:1–3 to praise the Lord (Hallelujah!
) and worship. They have seen with their own eyes that God is “true and just” in all his ways, including his judgments.
4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”