Daily Devotional

In the days of Job, a unique meeting took place: “The sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them” (Job 1:6). When asked where he was coming from, Satan responded, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it” (v. 7). Herein lies a clue as to the identity of the 24 elders.

Luke’s genealogy goes from Jesus back to “Adam, the son of God.” Adam was created directly by the hand of God and was given dominion over this world. God also created other worlds. In Hebrews 1:2, it is revealed that through Christ, God created “the worlds.” Thus, a son of God is a representative of one of the created worlds, as was Adam.

These sons of God appear to have existed before Earth was created; in Job 38:7, God tells us that “the sons of God shouted for joy” at the creation of our world. Both Job and Revelation give us a picture of the same type of event: God calling together an assembly of representatives to discuss matters pertaining to the government of the universe.

That said, there is one usurper of a throne: that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan. When God spoke to Abraham about the promised inheritance, He said, “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” (Genesis 13:17). This reveals that Satan was claiming dominion over the earth when he stated that he was walking back and forth on it.

Upon the heads of the elders, the sons of God, are crowns of gold, which read, “HOLINESS TO THE LORD,” for they are unfallen beings (Exodus 28:36). They are a part of that “cloud of witnesses” watching with intense interest the events unfolding on Earth today (Hebrews 12:1).

Loving Lord, we thank You for this glimpse of the throne room of the universe! Teach us to humble ourselves and not exalt ourselves, that we might be exalted
by You.

For Further Study: 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 4:8–9; John 12:31