April 28, 2022

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20

The word firstfruits is sanctuary language. The sanctuary pattern was given to Moses at Sinai, along with the decalogue. This blueprint for the unique portable temple of the Israelites was actually a plan based upon the unimaginably glorious temple of God in heaven. God gave this blueprint to the newly freed slaves as a three-dimensional illustration of the divine plan of salvation. As newly freed slaves ourselves, we are in need of and should accept the gifts of understanding offered by the Lord through His sanctuary model and the use of distinct sanctuary language. Through it, we have opportunity to increase our cooperation with Him as He leads each of us to grow in understanding of how He saves the lost and how He leads the church. It is also the key to understanding many prophecies and their fulfillments.

In the most holy place of the earthly tabernacle was the ark of the covenant, housing the decalogue and covered by the mercy seat, located between two cherubim. The divine presence of God was just above the mercy seat, and the two cherubim were shown to maintain a steady focus on the mercy seat. This representation of God’s throne reminded His people of His sovereignty, justice, mercy, and presence. In short, God’s throne is a powerful symbol of hope in our hurting world.

The throne room scene in heaven given to us in Revelation 4 and 5 contains several mentions of twenty-four elders. We are not given their names, but we can learn important clues from Scripture. When Christ fulfilled His earthly mission at the cross, we read:

and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:52-53

Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Ephesians 4:8 (compare to Psalm 68:18)

Why are there twenty-four of them? This is the requisite number of officials of the sanctuary (see 1 Chronicles 24:1-5). These twenty-four elders ascended as willing captives in His train (KJV – an allusion to the victor’s spoils of war) and currently serve the Lord in His heavenly sanctuary. Just as God instructed His people to present, in faith, a wave offering to demonstrate their trust in Him to provide an abundant harvest, God has given a ‘wave offering’ to us: the twenty-four elders represent His promise to raise all of His faithful ones at the end of the harvest, called the Ingathering.

and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field. The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. Exodus 23:16,19a

Let us hear the twenty-four elders who said:

[Jesus] You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation and have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall [in the future] reign on the earth. Revelation 5:9-10