Appropriately, the 24 elders are also seen here before God’s throne, for they picture the same anointed group from a different standpoint​—as already raised and installed as kings and priests.

24. What do the elders attempt to do for the sinner?

²⁴ Yet, in dealing with grievous sin, elders must ‘hold firmly to the faithful word,’ being “able both to exhort by the teaching that is healthful and to reprove those who contradict.” (Titus 1:9)

24, 25. (a) What do these Bible principles call on elders to exercise, and how? (b) What now remains to be considered?

²⁴ Truly, all of this calls for balance and judgment, discernment and understanding.

Elders must weigh carefully both the interests of the individual and of those of the congregation as a whole.

24. (a) Why do elders expend themselves on behalf of the “sheep”? (b) But what sins should they refer to the judicial committee?

²⁴ An elder may thus be of invaluable service in calling attention to a trend, even in small things, that could lead to serious problems.

So these elders expend themselves on behalf of the sheep.

24. In what ways might elders lord it over the flock?

²⁴ At the same time, those who gird themselves with humility will not arrogate special comforts or privileges to themselves, as though they deserve better things than those received by others.

At Christian assemblies, for instance, could it not be, in effect, lording it over their brothers if elders secure for themselves special meals and the best work assignments, while allocating to their brothers what is inferior?

This discussed the matter of the officers of the congregations of dedicated, baptized Christians under subheadings, such as “Order in the Early Church,” “Order Necessary Today,” “The Apostolic Counsel Commended,” “The Occasion of Choosing Elders,” “The Qualifications of Elders,” the opening paragraphs thereunder quoting 1 Timothy 3:1-7 according to The Emphatic Diaglott New Testament, and saying: “If a man desires an overseer’s office [service], he desires a good work.

It is usually understood that when the Bible links chief priests and scribes and elders it is referring to the Sanhedrin, as at Matthew 16:21 (NW): “From that time forward Jesus Christ commenced showing his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the older men of influence and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised up.”

The claim is made that the 71 members of the Sanhedrin were made up as follows: 24 were chief priests, 24 were elders or older men of influence, 22 were scribes or lawyers, and the high priest completed the number 71.

For example, at Revelation 4:4, we read: “Round about the throne [of Jehovah] there are twenty-four thrones, and upon these thrones I saw seated twenty-four elders dressed in white outer garments, and upon their heads golden crowns.”

These 24 elders are anointed Christians, resurrected and now occupying the heavenly position Jehovah promised them.