Revelation 11:16

And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

And {G2532} the four {G5064} and {G2532} twenty {G1501} elders {G4245}, which {G3588} sat {G2521} before {G1799} God {G2316} on {G1909} their {G846} seats {G2362}, fell {G4098} upon {G1909} their {G846} faces {G4383}, and {G2532} worshipped {G4352} God {G2316},

The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones in God’s presence fell on their faces and worshipped God,

And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,

And the four and twenty elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped God,

Context

Revelation 11:16 describes a pivotal moment in John's prophetic vision, occurring immediately after the sounding of the seventh trumpet. This trumpet blast, detailed in Revelation 11:15, heralds the declaration that "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." The response of the four and twenty elders in this verse is one of profound adoration and submission to this divine proclamation of God's ultimate sovereignty and Christ's eternal reign. Their worship is a direct, immediate, and reverent acknowledgment of God's victorious plan unfolding.

Key Themes

  • Heavenly Worship and Adoration: The central theme is the act of worship itself. The elders, seated in positions of honor before God's throne, immediately respond to the declaration of Christ's kingdom by prostrating themselves. This signifies ultimate humility and reverence in the presence of divine power and authority.
  • God's Ultimate Sovereignty: The elders' worship underscores the absolute rule and triumph of God and His Christ over all earthly powers. Their response confirms the truth of the seventh trumpet's announcement, recognizing that God's kingdom will ultimately prevail.
  • The Role of the Elders: The four and twenty elders are prominent figures throughout Revelation, consistently depicted in close proximity to God's throne, often leading or participating in heavenly worship. They represent either the redeemed church (Old and New Testament saints) or a specific order of heavenly beings, serving as intercessors and witnesses to God's unfolding plan. Their posture here exemplifies the appropriate response to divine revelation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fell upon their faces, and worshipped God" is significant. The Greek word for "worshipped" is proskyneo (προσκυνέω), which literally means "to prostrate oneself before," "to bow down," or "to kiss the hand toward." This physical act of bowing or falling to the ground signifies the deepest form of respect, submission, and adoration. It's a posture of utter humility before a superior, acknowledging their supreme authority and worthiness of honor.

Practical Application

Revelation 11:16 offers several insights for believers today:

  • A Call to Humble Worship: The elders' immediate and humble response to God's declared sovereignty serves as a powerful model for our own worship. True worship involves not just words, but a posture of the heart that acknowledges God's supreme authority and worthiness.
  • Confidence in God's Victory: Even amidst earthly turmoil and tribulation, this verse reminds us of God's ultimate victory and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Like the elders, we can respond to this truth with unwavering faith and adoration, knowing that God is in control and His purposes will prevail.
  • Perspective on Life's Challenges: When we are faced with difficulties, remembering that "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord" (as declared in the preceding verse) can shift our perspective, prompting us to worship rather than despair, trusting in His ultimate plan.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 4:4

    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 4:10

    The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

  • Revelation 7:11

    And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

  • Revelation 5:14

    And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

  • Revelation 19:4

    And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

  • Revelation 5:5

    And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

  • Revelation 5:8

    And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
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