“They answered Him, “Allow us to sit at Your right and at Your left in Your glory.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:37‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

The chairs of the right and left are the first and second highest in command. But would it be possible for someone to sit at the left of Jesus? Jesus is seated at the right of God! So whoever took the seat on the left would be seated in God’s throne or in front of it.

“Jesus said to them, “I assure you: In the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:28‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/mat.19.28.hcsb

“Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne, and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads.

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, the One who lives forever and ever, the 24 elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, worship the One who lives forever and ever, cast their crowns before the throne, and say: Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:2-4, 9-11‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/rev.4.2-4,9-11.hcsb

“Then I saw One like a slaughtered lamb standing between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth.

They said with a loud voice: The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:6, 12‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/rev.5.6,12.hcsb

“The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:21‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/rev.3.21.hcsb

“Then He said to Moses, “Go up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and 70 of Israel’s elders, and bow in worship at a distance. Moses alone is to approach the Lord, but the others are not to approach, and the people are not to go up with him.”

Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and 70 of Israel’s elders, and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath His feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire stone, as clear as the sky itself. God did not harm the Israelite nobles; they saw Him, and they ate and drank.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭24:1-2, 9-11‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/exo.24.1-2,9-11.hcsb

The 24 elder are seated around the throne of God. While God is sharing His throne with only one, Jesus. So where is the one who is seated on the right or left of Jesus? There are 24 thrones to choose from. Are all 24 thrones equal around God’s throne? Who are the 24 elders? we know that the 12 disciples are seated there, Matthias took Judas’ place.

“So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know the hearts of all; show which of these two You have chosen to take the place in this apostolic service that Judas left to go to his own place.” Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was numbered with the 11 apostles.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:23-26‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/act.1.23-26.hcsb 

Paul takes up the thirteenth throne to possibly judge the gentiles. So this would leave eleven more thrones. Moses and Elijah take up two more representing the law and the prophets. So we are down to nine. Joshua and Caleb might be there because they believed God for the promise land. Samuel because of his devotion as the last judge. David might be there as the King after God’s own heart. Abraham being the friend of God should be there. But what about modern pillars like Martin Luther, Martin Luther King Jr., Billy Graham, or D. L. Moody? This brings us down to one person not having a seat. I don’t think they have played musical chairs to decide who gets to sit but God has each one labeled whom it is intended for.  

In the end, we don’t know who the 24 elders are we will have to get to heaven and possibly wait till the reign of Jesus to know for sure. What we know for sure they are there to first, worship God and second to Judge the 12 tribes of Israel and maybe 24 different tribes of the world.

“I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:11‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/mat.11.11.hcsb

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ”

“I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child — this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in My name welcomes Me.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:1, 3-5‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/mat.18.1,3-5.hcsb