John 8:57-59
57 The Jews therefore said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple.
NAS
The Bible does specifically state that Jesus is God in this verse and others. The Jewish Covenant name for God is "I AM". The Jews knew what Jesus was claiming, which is why they picked up stones to throw at Him. You want other Scripture that show Jesus is God? Compare:
Genesis 1:1
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. NAS
With
Colossians 1:16
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. NAS
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. NAS
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. NAS
As to the 24 Elders, we first met them in Revelation 4:
Rev 4:9-11
9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created." NAS
After the great tribulation commences we see them holding golden bowls filled with the prayers of the saints, those in heaven and those on earth. This in no way implies that we as living humans are to pray to physically dead, but spiritually alive saints. To state it is, is to add to what John records.
If I missed your questions it was because I was looking for an answer to my question, so I apologize for not responding to your questions. Did I answer them now?