Christianity, Cults and Culture

COGR – The Elders Are An Inseparable Part Of The Throne

February 3, 2024

Good day! I am writing a series of short reviews of abbreviated COGR video clips. I am looking for input and comments. If it makes it easier, I will gladly supply a Word document so comments can be put in the document, and we can communicate directly. My email address is lattema@icloud.com. I hope you find these reviews helpful.

Transcript:

“But the elders themselves that are at the throne of God always ascribe glory to God for what God has done in making them a part of his throne. It’s very important. So they are a part of God’s throne, inseparable from God’s throne. But for that, they give God glory because God is the one that has made them a part. And so God’s throne is simply a place of worship. John sees it here in his sorrow after having written to the seven churches, he sees an end-time throne” Stephen Hargrave

Commentary:

Stephen adds to the text: Nowhere does it say God has made them part of his Throne. Nowhere does it say they are inseparable from God’s throne. It does not appear that there is any basis for his claim. The verse reads:

4

καὶ

κυκλόθεν

τοῦ

θρόνου

θρόνους

εἴκοσι

τέσσαρες

,

καὶ

ἐπὶ

τοὺς

θρόνους

And

circled

the

throne

thrones

twenty

four

and

on

the

thrones

εἴκοσι		τέσσαρας		πρεσβυτέρους		καθημένους
twenty		four		older men		sitting

περιβεβλημένους

ἐν

ἱματίοις

λευκοῖς

καὶ

ἐπὶ

τὰς

κεφαλὰς

having thrown around themselves

in

clothes

white

and

on

the

heads

αὐτῶν		στεφάνους		χρυσοῦς	.
of them		crowns		gold

Barbara Aland et al., The Greek New Testament, 4th ed. (Federal Republic of Germany: United Bible Societies, 1993), Re 4:4.

Stephen’s interpretation raises concerns as it introduces unsupported claims about the elders being an integral part of God’s throne. Nowhere in the specified text does it explicitly state that God has made the elders inseparable from His throne. The Greek text in Revelation 4:4 describes twenty-four elders seated on thrones encircling God’s throne, adorned with crowns, but it doesn’t imply an inherent connection to the throne itself. Stephen’s assertion lacks biblical support and may unintentionally introduce ideas reminiscent of pantheistic or panentheistic beliefs, departing from traditional Christian doctrine that emphasizes the distinction between the Creator and creation.

It’s important to question the significance of Stephen’s point, especially in light of the COGR mythology suggesting that the Throne, the beasts, the angels, and the elders represent the church. If the church is seen as joined to God, it implies a connection where the Apostles become part of God and speak for God in some way. This interpretation raises theological concerns and may deviate from orthodox Christian teachings that emphasize the unique nature of God and the created order.