Great symbolism, the material sermons are made of. But I believe the creatures of Ezekiel 1 and Revelation are literal created beings in the presence of God. I do not believe you have made a case that these creatures are or are representative of a raptured church, Jesus or anything else other than what scripture actually says they are.
Ezekiel 1:5, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, “living creatures”
Ezekiel 1:11, 23 they had “bodies”
Revelation 4:6, 8, 9, Rev 5:6, 8, 11, in the presence of God
Revelation 5:13 tells us there are “creatures” in heaven.
I just take many of these scripture more literal than you. IMHO when one gets locked in on symbolism most prophetic scriptures are at the whims of the person reading them. That is why we have many different interpretations of the 4 horsemen, but all of them are correct, if you don’t believe me just ask around. Everyone’s interpretation is the correct one.
You put yourself in the position of having to build a case to show me my error of just believing they are 4 beasts in the presence of God, just like Ezekiel and John saw.
Some times symbols are used but I tend to be more literal than anything else.
However, WHEN the Church is REMOVED from earth to heaven in the Rapture (TYPIFIED in
Revelation 4:1-2), God returns to using "the Old Testament MYSTERY form"--and the Church is therefore shown AFTER the Rapture IN SYMBOLISM and TYPE.
Current established pre-tribulation believers and scholars maintain that the Day of the Lord, and thus the Tribulation, begins with the breaking of the first seal. If this is the case, and the Church is raptured before the Tribulation, then it is understood that the Church must be found in heaven as Jesus prepares to open the seven-sealed scroll.
Matthew 19:28 records a promise that Jesus made to his apostles: The apostles were astonished to learn how difficult it would be for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, since a young man of great wealth refused to sell what he had to follow Jesus. The apostles had left everything to follow the Master and they said.............
“What then will be for us?” In response to their question Jesus said:
“I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve of Israel.”
THE SYMBOL for the Church RAPTURED into heaven, living in GLORIFIED BODIES, and having ALREADY been REWARDED AT THE BEMA SEAT OF CHRIST.
(See
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 and 1 Corinthians 924-27 for the BEMA SEAT, a judgment upon WORKS which are done by Born Again Christians--works that will GAIN REWARDS of "stephanos crowns" or which could SUFFER LOSS--receiving no crowns.)
Revelation 4:4..........
"And round about the throne were four and twenty seats [Thrones]: and upon the seats [Thrones] I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold."
FACT NUMBER ONE:
The 24 Elders in Revelation 4 and 5 are REPRESENTATIVE of a Raptured and glorified Church. They ARE the Church as seen in THEIR DESCRIPTION.
FACT NUMBER TWO:
The 24 Elders CANNOT be angels. Angels DON’T WEAR crowns. Angels DON’T sit with God to rule and reign. We MUST define the 24 ELDERS by their SPECIFIC descriptions.
THREE:
Elders is "a term" used for Church leadership. We see this all over the New Testament. Grab a concordance and look it up.
FOUR:
Elders, in the Greek, means “presbuteros.” This is "Church terminology"--the “Presbytery.”
FIVE:
WHY are there 24 Elders? Let's look at the number 24. In
1 Chronicles 24:1-31, King David divided the Priesthood into 24 COURSES because they’d grown so large. When 24 LEADERS of the COURSES met BEFORE David’s throne, the WHOLE PRIESTHOOD was REPRESENTED. The 24 ELDERS represent the ENTIRE CHURCH before God’s throne. This is a picture of the Church as PRIESTS.
SIX:
The number 24 again. The Church is composed of BOTH Jews and Gentiles. 12 tribes of Israel. 12 apostles of the Church. This offers a total of 24.
SEVEN:
The Elders SIT on thrones. This is a picture which shows that the work of the Church on earth in “the age of God’s Grace” is done. WE SIT. The job on earth is finished.
EIGHT:
The Elders sit on THRONES--the Church is seated on THRONES as KINGS. Compare to
Revelation 1:6--"And [Jesus] has made US "kings" AND "priests" unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
NINE:
The Elders wear “SPECIFIC” WHITE RAIMENT. The Church is promised white garments.
Revelation 3:4-5. Revelation 3:18. That our garments (and ourselves) are to be washed and spotless are seen in
Ephesians 5:26-27, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:14. Jude 1:23 and
Revelation 1:5. We will be dressed in glorious WHITE RAIMENT.
TEN:
The Elders wear "CROWNS", which are "STEPHANOS CROWNS", those given for OVERCOMING and GAINING A VICTORY (for finishing the race). These are the very same kind of CROWNS promised to the Church.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. 2 Timothy 4:8. James 1:12. 1 Peter 5:4. Revelation 2:10 b. Revelation 3:11.
WHAT IS THE CHURCH ACCOMPLISHING IN REVELATION 4 AND 5?
Jesus is the Coming King!: THE 24 ELDERS: SYMBOL OF THE CHURCH IN HEAVEN AFTER THE RAPTURE.
Revelation 4:10-11......
"The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne,
and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 'You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created."