. . . and then he opened the fifth seal, and I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and because of witness they had upheld. And they cried out with a huge voice (sound) “Until when, o Lord, Holy and True, will you not judge and do justice to our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?” And there were given to them white robes (in Greek, the word from which we get the word stoles), and it was said to them “rest a little while, until the fullness of your fellow servants and your brothers who are about to be killed just like you is complete”. Revelation 6:9-11
The fifth seal is different from the previous four and refers to the judgment of the document Jesus is unsealing. One great condemnation against those on earth is the way they have treated God’s people.
v 9 In Lev 4:7 and Exo 29:12 we see that the blood of the sacrifice was poured out under the altar, and this is where the souls of the martyrs were (On earth, the space under the altar is not large, but in heaven these special limitations are not a problem. There’s plenty of room for all of the people who were killed for the faith. The altar, like everything else in this part of John’s vision, is in the presence of God). These are those throughout history who have given their lives for the Word of God and their witness to that Word.
v 10 The word Lord is despotes, or despot, absolute ruler. The question “How long?” is familiar from many OT passages: Ps 13:1; 80:4; Hab. 1:2. The request is that God avenge, or vindicate, the blood of the martyrs. Them that dwell on the earth is more than a reference to those who live on this planet. It speaks specifically of those in rebellion against God (3:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 12 and 17:2, 8).
v 11 These robes are white because they are washed in the blood of the Lamb (7:11-14; 22:14).
How Long?
The martyrs ask “how long”. Jesus answers “till your compatriots are all killed”. This seems like, at best, a bleak answer. But I think most martyrs would intuitively understand. There are two dynamics in tension with each other, God’s justice and His patience.
God’s Patience
When Moses asked to see God’s face, He said, no, but instead He passed before Moses and proclaimed His name “The LORD, the LORD, a merciful God and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness . . .” In Nehemiah as the leaders of Israel prayed on behalf of the rebellious nation and said “For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. Peter said “God is not slow concerning His promises, as some people evaluate slowness, but is patient toward us, not willing that any should parish, but that all should come to repentance”. I think we all have to read this with gratefulness. If God were quick to bring His justice He would have wiped me off the surface of this planet long ago. But He loves each person, and gives them time and opportunities to turn from those things they know are wrong. Some respond to God’s patience well, repent, and commit themselves to His service. Others don’t. But His patience can hardly be brought into question. He has been patient with me. I want Him to patient with others, because if He weren’t He would not be right to be patient me. Yet His patience has a limit.
God’s Justice
There is a principle described throughout Scripture as a cup, often called the cup of God’s wrath, that, once full to overflowing, marks the end of God’s patience and the beginning of the outpouring of His judgment. God told Abraham of the future of his progeny, that they would go down to Egypt 400 years and only after that enter into Canaan “because the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15). God spoke to Jeremiah “Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them” (Jeremiah 25. Also see Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17; Isaiah 51:22 (where God says His people will no longer drink of the cup of His wrath); Obadiah 16, and we’ll see this again in Revelation 14). The cup of God’s justice was poured out on Jesus-the cup He said “if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26). But many people in the world refuse to accept the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, judgment remains. But I think we often misread God’s judgment.
God’s Love
We may be inclined to think of judgment as cruel because we see so much suffering in the world and associate at least some of it to judgment. But there is every indication that even the most horrible destruction sent by God is an expression of His love. According to Genesis, God wiped out all humans on the planet in one huge flood. He told Noah the reason “the end of all flesh is come before me . . .” (Genesis 6). God knew if He didn’t intervene human beings would wipe themselves out. The flood was sent to save. As the children of Israel entered Canaan and had to fight their way through regions to inherit the land, all of the nations attacked Israel, and in defense they defeated those who would have destroyed them. But in some cases their defense was commanded by God to be as complete as possible. God says the corruption of some nations was so extreme that their evil and destructive behavior would destroy everyone around them. Cities like Hazor were to be destroyed and burned to the ground. This is brutal, but it eliminated the threat of disease to subsequent generations. Heaven seems to have a long view of such things. We’ll see this again in Revelation 19 when the hosts of heaven shout Halleluiah! because God has poured out His judgment on Babylon. Please think for a moment what heaven would be like if all of the corruption and sin and hatred and war and violence and anger of this earth were transported there? It would no longer be heaven.
So, the martyred saints in heaven want God to execute judgment as soon as possible. He tells them to wait till more martyrs are killed. He is quick to compassion and mercy, but slow to judgment, but when judges His judgment is absolute. God’s love is also absolute. His love is good and faithful and true and warm and merciful and gracious. In fact His love is so pure you can say He is love. His love is also austere. His love is just. In His love He will do what is necessary to obtain the eternal-term best for His people.
Prayer for Today
Father,
Thank you for forgiving. Thank you also for judging. Help us to understand and embrace the grace and the austerity of Your love.
In the name of Your Son, Jesus
Who exemplified Your mercy and kindness, and endured your judgment to set us free.
Amen
