By: Tom Lowe Date: 10/29/2015
Title : (18) Fifth Seal: The Martyrs Under the Altar (Revelation 6:9-11)
Revelation 6:9-11 (KJV)
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
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?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Introduction
Let me point out that when the fifth seal is removed, the scene changes completely. Each of the first four seals is characterized by a living creature and a horse, neither of which appears under the last three seals. Thus the first four seals are set apart from the last three.
Matthew 5:13 tells us that born again believers are the “salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:14 tells us they are also the “light of the world.” The presence of the Church (believers) in the world preserves the earth, wards off corruption and holds back the terrible judgment of Almighty God. Regardless of how unworthy and faulty we may be as believers, we are the salt that keeps civilization from rotting on its feet. But when God’s patience runs out and He removes the salt and the light, corruption and moral darkness will then engulf this earth (Isaiah 60:2). When the Rapture takes place the salt and the light will be taken out. The Holy Ghost will also go out with the Church (born again believers), because believers are the home of the Spirit on earth— “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Christ by His Spirit dwells in all true believers.
When the Rapture takes place the Church (believers) will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air and will be presented by Christ to Himself in Glory— “And to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27). Christ both gives and takes the bride (His church); He presents her to himself. The Spirit will go out with the Church (believers) and will then work from Heaven to earth as He did in the Old Testament era. In those days the Holy Ghost came upon men, and then left them; but since Pentecost He has been in the world to stay. He has not departed for one moment.
The breaking of the fifth seal reveals clearly that some on earth will turn to God after the Church has been translated. There will be those saved during the tribulation, but they will pay with their lives. The first witnesses on earth after the Rapture will go through the world preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom— “And the Good News I have shared about God’s kingdom will be told throughout the world. It will be spread to every nation. Then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). The result of their preaching is made known in Matthew 25:31-46. These first preachers of the Gospel of the Kingdom will be chiefly the converted Jews “These my brethren” in Matthew 25:40 refers to the Jewish brethren of our Lord according to the flesh.
Jesus left his followers with no doubts as to the suffering and the martyrdom they would be called upon to endure. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9; also see Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12, 18). These are the martyrs of the tribulation days. Having heard the Gospel of the kingdom, thousands will believe and receive it, but they will be persecuted by the beast. The day would come when those who killed Christians would think they were doing a service for God— “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. (John 16:2).
Keep in mind that we are reading John’s report of what he heard and saw in his vision of Christ in heaven, as He reveals future events to him. The apostle wrote, “I (John) saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God.” This gives us the meaning of our passage here. The souls of the martyrs[1] are beneath the heavenly altar; at the foot of which their blood (or “souls,” or “lives”; compare Leviticus 17:11) has been poured out (Exodus 29:12). That is to say, their life-blood has been poured out as an offering to God. The idea of the martyr’s life as a sacrifice to God is in the mind of Paul. He says that he will rejoice, if he is offered up as a sacrifice and thereby joins the Philippians in their service of faith— “Your faith makes you give your lives as a sacrifice in serving God. Maybe I will have to offer my own life with your sacrifice. But if that happens, I will be glad, and I will share my joy with all of you” (Philippians 2:17). “I am ready,” he says, “on the point of being sacrificed” (2 Timothy 4:6).
There is a great and uplifting truth here. When a good man dies for the sake of goodness, it may look like tragedy, like the waste of a fine life; like the work of evil men; and, indeed, it may be all these things. But every life laid down for right and truth and God is ultimately more than any of these things—it is an offering made to God.
Commentary
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
The first believers after the Rapture will be severely persecuted. They will be butchered . . . “slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held,” that is to say, they will be killed for standing up for Christ and for His Word. The Word of God, faithfully declared, brings persecution from the world and the devil.
When these first preachers deliver their message, there will be very few on earth who will listen, because those who have been exposed to the Truth as we hear the Truth today, will be sent strong delusions. They will believe the lies put forward by the Antichrist—and they will all be damned because “THEY BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, BUT HAD PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” The forces of Antichrist do not except the truth, because Satan wants them to be deceived and accept his lies (see Revelation 19:20; 20:10; also 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
Read carefully 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 . . . study those verses very carefully . . . and you will see that when the Rapture takes place and the Holy Spirit leaves the world, those who hear the Gospel of the grace of God and refuse to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, will not listen to any message. The persons saved after the Rapture will be the multitudes who have never heard a message of the Gospel of the grace of God. Naturally there will be bitter, severe persecution, and many will be martyred because of their testimony. Since their murderers are still alive on earth, these martyrs are apparently from the early part of the Tribulation. But they represent all who have laid down their lives for Jesus Christ and the cause of God’s truth, and they are an encouragement to all today who may be called to follow them. They assure us that the souls of the martyrs are in heaven, awaiting the resurrection— “Then I saw some thrones and people sitting on them. These were the ones who had been given the power to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been killed because they were faithful to the truth of Jesus and the message from God. They did not worship the beast or its idol. They did not receive the mark of the beast on their foreheads or on their hands. They came back to life and ruled with Christ for 1000 years” (Revelation 20:4)—and that they are at rest, robed in heavenly Glory.
We are not told precisely by what means God accomplishes this work of faith in men after the Rapture. Jesus did say, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come” (Matthew 24:14). We do know that the widespread translation and circulation of the scriptures in 1100 languages is being used by God now to prepare the way for a subsequent witness to all the nations. God’s purpose in the tribulation is to bring about the conversion of Jews who will enter into the blessings of the kingdom. The “good news” of this dispensation and that of the kingdom are not mutually exclusive. Faith in Jesus Christ is essential to salvation in this dispensation of grace as well as in the tribulation.
This earth will be literally hell on earth after the Rapture. Now the Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bridles the passions of the ungodly men; but when the presence of the power of the Holy Ghost is withdrawn, the devil will have full sway in the hearts and lives of the masses left when the true Church is taken out.
The Scriptures always exalt Christ. He is their theme throughout. Thus in the tribulation there will be a continuing testimony to Him. This will provoke the Antichrist and his followers to hatred, to the extent that they will kill those who hold to the Scriptures and to the Christ of whom they testify. “The testimony which they held” is not the testimony that you and I give today in this Age of Grace. We testify to the saving grace of God and to the gift of God—the Lord Jesus Christ. These people will testify to the coming Kingdom. They will preach that Jesus is coming to set up a kingdom on earth, and that testimony will cause unheard-of persecution. When Antichrist and his followers hear these fanatical preachers declare that One is coming to set up a kingdom, they will be furious—and persecution will be meted out as never before on the face of this earth.
Their testimony concerning the coming kingdom, concerning the Christ who will sit on the throne, and concerning the kingdom rights of Christ and His followers (Matthew 24:14) will be trampled underfoot, and the witnesses who declare this message will be cruelly, brutally slain. Please notice the sacrificial word slain that is used here instead of killed, which appears in verse 11. The first group referred to is composed of Jews, the latter group of “their fellow servants and their brethren (v. 11),” both Jews and Gentiles. The word “slain” is used in keeping with the special character of these witnesses, probably all Jews. The second group referred to will be killed under the beast (Revelation 13:7, 11).
But the death of the tribulation believers is not the end of them. Death never is the end of any man. The word “souls” in this passage is not limited to the spiritual part of man in contrast to his body. It is used for the person himself. Jesus used the words “soul” and “himself” interchangeably (Mark 8:36; compare Luke 9:25). In another passage our Lord admitted that one man can kill the body of another, but He denies that one man can kill the soul of another. He said, “And fear them not which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Stephen used the word “soul” to signify a person when he said, “Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, three score and 15 souls” (Acts 7:14). The point to be made in our study is that the martyred saints were both conscious and fully rational. When God created man, He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). The soul, then, is what man is, a rational being, and this is what he will be forever. The body is merely the vehicle to house his conscious, rational being and through which he can express himself. Of course, the intermediate state is not a perfect state. The hope of all saints is to be housed in Heaven in their resurrection bodies (2 Corinthians 5:2-3).
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.
This was not revenge that they wished upon their enemies but an appeal for God to punish His enemies, a plea for God to rule. This is a prayer that longs to see the power in the hands of the One who rightfully controls the universe. Those who had killed these believers had mocked God by harming His witnesses. The martyrs’ cry echoes the words of the imprecatory psalms[2]. The martyrs were eager for God to bring justice to the earth (see also Romans 12:19).
The judgment of sin on the cross, when Jesus laid down His life willingly, is the foundation on which securely rests our glory in Heaven, our peace with God the Father. The judgment of sin on the ungodly and the wicked that will be on earth after the Rapture, is imperative. It must be, in order to clear the earth of evil and to make it a fit dwelling place for God’s earthly people. “The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof.” It was created for the meek, and the meek shall inherit the earth in due time. No one can deny the presence of a new Heaven, a new earth, and the Pearly White City. No one can deny the Bride, the New Testament Church, Israel the nation, and the saved nations, Gentiles, that will be on earth after the consummation of all things.
John did not see these martyrs in life. He did not witness the brutality of their persecution and martyrdom. It is all over when he sees them “underneath the altar.” He hears them cry with a loud voice, “How long?” (until when?). This cry is well known among the suffering Jews, and will be better known during the coming hour of unparalleled sorrow and persecution upon the Jews. Read carefully Psalm 74:9-10; Psalm 79:5; Psalm 89:46; Psalm 94:3-4. The appeal of these martyrs is to God. They are crying to the sovereign ruler of all creation—the One who has the right and the power to avenge the blood shed by the enemies of Jehovah God. These martyrs are crying out to God to pour out vengeance “upon them that dwell upon the earth,” that is to say, “unbelievers who look upon the earth as their home,” as distinguished from the Church, whose home and heart are even now in heavenly places. God does not answer by pouring out vengeance at that moment. Their cry for vengeance is heard, but the answer is delayed. The thing to remember is that when the saints of God uttered this cry, they were bewildered by God’s seeming inactivity but they never doubted his ultimate action, and the ultimate vindication of the righteous.
We have created a picture here which is easy to criticize. The saints actually wished to see the punishment of their persecutors. It is hard for us to understand the idea that part of the joy of heaven was to see the punishment of the sinners in Hell. It is easy to stand aghast at the spirit of vengeance which could write like that. But we must remember what these men went through, the agony of the flames, of the arena and the wild beasts, of the sadistic torture which they suffered. We have the right to criticize only when we have gone through the same agony.
The great question, however, was not whether their enemies would be judged, but when. “How long, O Lord?” has been the cry of God’s suffering people throughout the ages (see Psalms 74:9-10; 79:5; 94:3-4; also Habakkuk 1:2). The saints in heaven know that God will eventually judge sin and establish righteousness in the earth, but they do not know God’s exact schedule. It is not personal revenge that they seek, but vindication of God’s holiness and the establishment of God’s justice. Every believer today who sincerely prays, “Thy kingdom come!” is echoing their petition. The title “Lord” implies that He has them and their foes and His creatures absolutely at His disposal, as a master has his slaves.
Christians pray for those who despitefully use them. They do not pray for God to destroy their enemies. Today, we are to return good for evil. This is the age of Grace. God declares, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” And He promises no temptation beyond that which we can bear. But those who had been martyred as these Jews had been, under Law, had a perfect right to cry out that vengeance be poured out upon their enemies.
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
The answer to their prayers comes in two parts. The first part comes when God rewards them with a long white robe[3], which probably represents victory as it does in the vision of the white horse of that first seal (6:1-2). The other part of their reward is rest. Once dead they are allowed to enjoy the peace of Heaven.
When the Lord gives to each of these martyrs a “white robe,” he stamps his approval upon their request. He did not rebuke them when they begged that vengeance be poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth. He did not shame them. He gave to each of them a “white robe,” indicative of light, joy, and triumphant victory over their foes. There is something here that we don’t want to miss; it is that spirits without any substance could not wear robes. The fact that they will be given robes supports the concept that when believers die they are given temporary bodies in heaven which are later replaced by resurrection bodies at the time of resurrection (compare 20:4).
In this day of Grace, if we return evil for evil, if we do good only to those who do good to us, we do not receive a reward, but rather a rebuke. Grace is over. This is another dispensation. These martyrs are instructed to “rest yet for a little season,” until another company of “fellow servants and brethren” should be killed as they were killed. And when this second company has been martyred, then vengeance from Almighty God will be poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth. We must bear in mind that neither the Old Testament martyrs, from Abel, nor the Christian martyrs, from Stephen, are referred to here. But these two companies of martyrs are killed after the Rapture—they sealed their testimony with their blood after the saints have been taken out of this earth into heaven.
The Jews had the conviction that the drama of history had to be played out in full before the end could come. God would not stir until the measure appointed had been fulfilled. The number of the righteous first has to be offered. The Messiah would not come until all the souls which were to be born had been born. The perception, however, is different today; most believe God is not waiting until a certain number are killed[4]; rather, he is waiting for the appointed time to arrive. He promises, however, that those who suffer and die for their faith will not be forgotten. In fact, they will be rewarded and honored by God. Today, oppressed people may wish for justice immediately, as these martyrs did, but they must be patient. God works according to his own timetable, and he promises to act. No suffering for the sake of God’s kingdom, however, is wasted. God will vindicate his people, but he will do it in His time not ours.
God made clear to the martyrs’ that their sacrifice was an appointment, not an accident; and that others would join them. Even in the death of His people, God is in control (psalm 116:15); so there is nothing to fear.
Many others would be slain for their faith before the Lord would return and establish His kingdom (see Revelation 11:7; 12:11; 14:13; and 20:4-5). Then as today, it appears that the enemy is winning; but God will have the last word. Even in our “enlightened” 20th century, multiplied thousands of true believers have laid down their lives for Christ; certainly they will receive the crown of life— “Don’t be afraid of what will happen to you. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison. He will do this to test you. You will suffer for ten days, but be faithful, even if you have to die. If you continue to be faithful, I will give you the reward of life” (Revelation 2:10). However, it is not their own death, but the sacrifice of Christ, that gives them entrance into heaven.
What was shown here, under the breaking of the fifth seal, is elaborated further in chapter seven, where the great tribulation is introduced. Here only a preview is given of the terrible persecutions which will engulf the globe in a coming day.
[1] Martyr: a person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause.
[2] Imprecatory Psalms, contained within the Book of Psalms of the Hebrew Bible are those that invoke judgment, calamity or curses, upon one’s enemies or those perceived as the enemies of God.
[3] There are some who have not soiled their garments. As a reward they will walk with Christ dressed in white. More specifically, the conqueror is to be dressed in white garments—a further indication that Revelation with its promises is primarily designed to encourage martyrdom.
[4] Those that hold to the theory that a certain number must be killed, many times believe that that is the number needed to replace the fallen angels. But this is mere conjecture.
