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Revelation 11:16
ESV And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,
NIV And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
NASB And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
CSB The twenty-four elders, who were seated before God on their thrones, fell facedown and worshiped God,
NLT The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him.
KJV And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

What does Revelation 11:16 mean?

This verse tells us how the twenty-four elders who sit on thrones in front of God respond to the declaration that Christ will reign forever and ever. But first we need to identify the twenty-four elders. Some believe they represent all believers throughout history. Others believe they are the twelve patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel plus the twelve apostles. Still others believe they are all the redeemed of the church age.

It is impossible to identify these persons with absolute certainty. All we know is they are victors and humble worshipers of God. They acknowledge God as the supreme and holy ruler by falling on their faces and worshiping him. These are the same twenty-four elders we read about in Revelation 4 and 5. In Revelation 4:10 they "fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever.," and in 5:14 they "fell down and worshiped." If the twenty-four elders do represent all believers throughout history or all believers of the church age, their act of worship previews one aspect of the Christian's life in heaven.
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