Manuscript Releases, volume 12, pp. 296, 297: “This roll was written within and without. John says: “I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon” [verse 4]. The vision as presented to John made its impression upon his mind. The destiny of every nation was contained in that book. John was distressed at the utter inability of any human being or angelic intelligence to read the words, or even to look thereon. His soul was wrought up to such a point of agony and suspense that one of the strong angels had compassion on him, and laying his hand on him assuringly, said, “Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” [verse 5].”………when Ellen White describes this event she affirms that it was one of the strong angels who spoke the words of encouragement to John:she uses the words strong angel where the text says one of the 24 elders see also revelation 7:13 and 14 Signs of the Times, December 22, 1887: “John beholds an innumerable company, precious, refined, purified, around the throne of the Majesty of Heaven. The angel inquires of John, “What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?” and John answers, “Sir, thou knowest.” Then the angel declares: “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”In its original Biblical context one of the elders asked John the questions but Ellen White identifies the asker as the angel. The inevitable conclusion is that the elder which is speaking is one of the strong angels.
desire of ages page 833-835 captures revelation 4 and 5…..According to the Spirit of Prophecy, the sons of God are the commanders of the angel hosts and the representatives of the worlds that never sinned. Writing about those who were present to welcome Christ upon His ascension, Ellen White remarks:
“The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds [Revelation 4:4], are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son, the representatives of those sinless realms over which Satan had thought to establish his dominion,–all are there to welcome the Redeemer.”.It is absolutely clear that if the elders are the very highest angels they cannot be the first-fruits who resurrected with Jesus. Once again the conclusion is inevitable: The elders are not human beings but rather angelic beings…….i hope this helps …..the 24 elders are assistants to the high priest as you have explained ..they are seen holding bowls of incense …