Text: Revelation 6:9-11
Theme: Cry of the Martyrs
Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever.
Introduction: This month we have dedicated to the Doctrine of Soul, understanding the creation of the soul, relation to the physical body, relation to God. We learned about its identity, eternity and everlasting capacity. Today, I would like to draw your attention to the book of revelation to the cry of the SOULS at the ALTAR of God.
During the first four seals John heard the voice of one of the living creatures, but now John hears the voice of the cries of the martyrs. Revelation 6:9-11 sets before us a most sobering and realistic picture about the Martyrs, who were believers, missionaries, pastors, evangelists, who lived an exemplary life during their life on the earth, and died as testimonies. The images in Revelation become more horrific; the scenes are more terrifying; the issues are more pressing in the book of Revelation.
The fifth seal in the line of seals broken by the Lamb, refers to the historical times of Diocletian, and the persecution under his regime. Today, I would like to give exposition on the position of the souls - under the altar, their call or prayer to God for avenge, their clothing of robes, and a command to wait patiently a little longer time.
Souls of the Martyrs - Slain for the word of God and for the testimony
Cries of the Martyrs - for Judgement and avenge for blood – Blood for Blood
Rest of the Martyrs - Rest a while a little longer
Souls of the Martyrs – Revelation 6:9 - Slain for the word of God and for the testimony of the Lamb.
It is clearly revealed by the Holy Spirit that the souls of the Martyrs are alive, conscious and recognises one another and recalls their life on the earth. The souls were separated from their bodies. Their bodies were buried in the ground, returned to the dust. Their souls are under the altar of God in heaven, it refers to the allusion to the blood of the sacrifices, which was poured out at the bottom of the altar by the priests (Leviticus 4:7, 5:9). But Martyrdom refers to the sacrifice of lives of the slain, and an offering of them in the cause of God and truth (Philippians 2:17, 2 Timothy 4:7).
John describes his own exile on the island of Patmos as being “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9). These saints had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony of the Lamb (Revelation 1:9). It’s on going event on the earth, many parts of the world, Christians are killed for their faith.
The souls of the saints are under altar refers to the Jewish notion that the souls of the righteous are treasured up under the throne of glory, and everyone that is buried in the land of Israel was buried "under the altar". The blood of the martyrs or saints is considered as an “offering” before God as it accumulates at the base of the altar during this time of intense persecution of all who worship the name of Christ (Matthew 24:9).
But through reading of the scriptures, we understand that Christ is the altar, the sacrifice, and the altar that sanctifies the gift to God. Now, every sacrifice of prayer and praise comes up before God through Jesus Christ, who is the High priest, who is in heaven. In his name, we pray. (Hebrews 13:10, John 14:14).
John writes here that these are the souls of those who have been slain. The souls of the saints are described in Hebrews 11. They are of those who have been killed, who have died of a violent death, who have been stoned, who have been thrown into the lions cages, who have been beheaded, who have been hanged, who have been burned as street lamps, who have been counted as sheep for the slaughter, and who have been sawn into two, those who have died for the Word of God, who have died for the testimony.
Many think that we worship a God of “health and wealth”, God of promises to “name them and claim them”. Others say that we must have a “power of positive thinking” and a “feel-good” religion. A religion that consists of everyone joining hands dancing, and singing, a religion of Utopia. But in reality it’s a religion demands to give up luxuries, to go through persecution, victimization and threats. The early Church had experienced all these hatred activities and even today, the church is more vulnerable to the authorities.
2. Cries of the Martyrs - Revelation 6:9- cry for Judgement and avenge blood – “Blood for Blood”
Revelation 6:10: “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?””
Dennis Johnson has put it: “The days on God’s calendar are marked off, one by one, in the blood of the martyrs.” We can see the souls of the saints/martyrs but their bodies are awaited resurrection at the return of Jesus to the earth (Daniel 12:1–2).
Some commentators believe that these martyrs are from the time of Christ’s ascension to the very day, he returns to Judge the dead and alive.
But remember what Jesus told: “From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.” (Luke 11:51).
Some interpret that these martyrs are Jewish believers converted during the time of the tribulation, not during the Christian era.
I believe that all the souls from the time of Able to the time of Stephen, James, Thomas, Polycarp, to the times of Jim Elliot, to the time of the souls who are slain in India, Africa, Germany, China, Korea, and in many Islamic states, and communist countries.
Because Revelation 6:11 says: “… until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.”
According to the Divine Providence, in letting persecutors go on until they should have filled up the measure of their iniquities.
As I said earlier, the souls of the Martyrs are alive, conscious and recognises one another and recalls their lives on the earth. But now, their prayer is an imprecatory prayer, a prayer that calls for vengeance. It’s very strange to understand, how come the saints do such a prayer.
These kind of prayers are recorded in Old Testament:2 Chronicles 24:22 “may the Lord see and revenge”, Psalms 54:5 David says “he will repay my enemies”, and in Psalm 143:12 “cut off all my enemies and adversaries”. Asaph says in Psalm 79:6 “pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name”.
But the New Testament records only “Father, forgive!” (Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60).
The cry for vengeance comes only from the souls in heaven, not from those who still dwell upon the earth. Even in suffering, in persecution, in tortures, the saints offered prayers for forgiveness, for the repentance of persecutors, and haters.
Then, why this cry at heaven? It is to prove the character of God, who is pure and just. It is interesting to note that these souls in heaven have a strong desire for justice. Here the prayers of the saints are being offered up on the altar. This altar also appears to be before the throne (Revelation 8:3, 8:5).
This is the cry of the innocent! This is the cry of the loved of the Lamb! The Day of Judgment is the answer to the cry of the souls under the altar (Revelation 6:12-17).
3. Rest of the Martyrs - Revelation 6:11 - Rest a little while longer. Often we write the word RIP. Many souls are being tormented, some are crying for justice, some are the bosom of God in heaven.
A white robe is the dress code of Heaven (Mark 16:5). The white robes likely represent a reward for good deeds done while on earth. Jesus told the churches: “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life” (Revelation 3:5). It is “a token of their justification, and favourable acceptance with God” (Benson).
The earthly treasure makes the soul naked. Jesus exhorts to purchase “white garments” by listening to His voice, engaging with Him in intimate fellowship, and following His ways (Revelation 3:17-18).
These are the robes of righteousness (Revelation 19:8), and robes of honour (Revelation 4:4) for those who wear them are like God, seeing Him as He is, reflecting His image (Ellicott).“White robes are the robes of victory and ropes of honour. Persecutors can only kill the body, after that there is no more they can do, the soul lives.” (Matthew Henry).
‘This is one of the incidental proofs in the Bible that the soul does not cease to exist at death, does not cease to be conscious, and does not sleep until the resurrection. They remember what had occurred on the earth, interested in what now taking place, engaged in prayer, and manifest earnest desires for the divine interposition to avenge the wrongs which they had suffered’ (Benson).
Luke 16:22 describes the souls of Rich Man and Lazarus after the death. The soul of the beggar carried by the Angels, the Soul of the Rich-man entered into hell. The first is an extraordinary welcome but the second one is the end of everyone without Christ. The rich man being tormented in the hell means this soul continuously living.
Rest or restlessness are the two states of the Soul after the death. Till the resurrection and final judgement two things are happening with the Souls. The souls with Christ rest are clothed with white robes, they offer prayers, and praises; without Christ the souls are restless, tormented and cries for help.
