Soul Of The Martyrs Series

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.