Fifth Seal Series

The “altar” referred to here is in Heaven, and is, undoubtedly, the “altar” of burnt offering (or, “the alter of sacrifice”) which stood in the court of the tabernacle and the temple; where animals would be sacrificed to atone for sins. This “altar” was made of brass, symbolizing the endurance of divine judgment. There are some very good Bible commentators who believe this is the alter upon which Christ offered his blood for the sins of the world. They take the position that His literal blood is in heaven and that Hebrews 9:23-24 confirms this: “These things are copies of the real things that are in heaven. These copies had to be made clean by animal sacrifices. But the real things in heaven must have much better sacrifices. Christ went into the Most Holy Place. But it was not the man-made one, which is only a copy of the real one. He went into heaven, and he is there now before God to help us.” You will also notice the “altar” of chapter 11:1, chapter 14:18, chapter 16:7. The golden “altar” of intercession comes into view twice in these scenes—chapter 8, the latter part of verse 3, and in verse 9:13. The first “altar” mentioned in verse three and the altar in verse five of chapter eight refers to the brazen “altar.” Brass symbolizes the judgment of Almighty God.

Instead of the animal’s blood at the base of the alter, John saw the souls of martyrs who had died for preaching the Gospel. These martyrs were told that still more would lose their lives for believing in Christ (6:11). In the face of warfare, famine, persecution, and death, Christians need to stand firmly for what they believe. Only those who endure to the end will be rewarded by God (14:12; Mark 13:13). Standing firm to the end is not a way to be saved but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus. Persistence is not a means to earn salvation; it is the by-product of a truly devoted life. Times and trial serve to sift true Christians from false or fair-weather Christians. When you are pressured to give up and turn your back on Christ, don’t do it. Remember the benefits of standing firm, and continue to live for Christ.

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

John saw the souls of those who had been slain, under the altar . . . the altar upon which they had been sacrificed by their persecutors. John heard the cry from the souls of these martyrs, crying allowed for vengeance on their enemies. Do you notice anything unusual here? These martyrs who had sealed their testimony with their life’s blood, did not pray as Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). They did not pray as Stephen prayed, “Lord lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). The change of dispensation changes the character of Jehovah’s dealings with ungodly men. Law was the principle on which God dealt with wicked men in the Old Testament era. Grace is the principle on which God deals in this present dispensation. Grace goes the second mile. If one takes your coat, give him your overcoat. These martyrs are crying out in another dispensation. Grace is passed. They are crying in keeping with psalm 94: “O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?” (Psalm 94:1-3). Just as David had written psalms that called for vengeance against his enemies, so these martyrs asked for vengeance and vindication against the people who belong to this world. These words may sound harsh when used in prayer, but the martyrs were calling for God’s justice, and they were leaving the vengeance to God. God promises to help the persecuted and to bring judgment on unrepentant sinners. But is it “Christian” for these martyred saints to pray for vengeance on their murderers? After all, as we mentioned, both Jesus and Stephen prayed that God would forgive those who killed them. I have no doubt that, when they were slain on earth, these martyrs also prayed for their slayers; and this is the right thing to do (Matthew 5:10-12, 43-48). The tribulation saints will be living in the dispensation of judgment; thus they pray according to the ruling principle of that period of time in which they find themselves.