The Fifth Seal: Prayers For Vengeance

The Fifth Seal: Prayers for Vengeance

Revelation 6:9-11

Introduction

The book of Revelation unveils the mysteries of God’s divine plan for the end times. Each seal that the Lamb opens reveals a part of this divine unfolding. When we reach the fifth seal in Revelation 6:9-11, we encounter a scene that is both powerful and sobering. It presents the souls of martyrs crying out to God for justice. Their voices echo throughout history, reminding us that faithfulness to Christ often comes at a cost. Yet, their cries do not go unheard. The passage assures us that God is not indifferent to the suffering of His saints, and His justice will be executed in His perfect timing.

Today, as we explore this passage, we will reflect on four key aspects: the cry of the martyrs, God’s timing in judgment, the reward of the faithful, and the call to endurance. May this message encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that our God is both just and sovereign.

The Bible teaches that God is loving, merciful, and gracious, offering salvation to sinners. However, one truth that many people do not like to acknowledge is that He is also a God of justice who takes vengeance on those who reject Him and His Son. The Bible makes this clear in many passages.

In Deuteronomy 32:35, God says, “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution.” This means that He will bring justice in His own time. The book of Psalms contains several prayers, called imprecatory psalms, where people ask God to punish the wicked.

For example, in Psalm 64:7-9, David describes how God will strike down the wicked, making them fall by their own words, causing others to fear and recognize God’s power. Psalm 79:10 asks God to show His justice among the nations for the blood of His servants. In Psalm 94, the writer calls upon God as the Judge of the earth to punish the proud and bring justice against evildoers.

1. The Cry of the Martyrs and the Plea for Justice

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-10; Psalm 79:5-6; Luke 18:7-8

When the Lamb opens the fifth seal, John sees the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the testimony they had upheld (Revelation 6:9). These martyrs cry out 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?" (Revelation 6:10).

This cry for vengeance is not rooted in personal revenge but in a longing for God’s righteousness to prevail. The martyrs are calling upon God to fulfill His promise of justice.

• Psalm 79:5-6: "How long, Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You." This echoes the plea of the righteous throughout history, who suffer at the hands of the wicked but trust in God’s justice.

• Luke 18:7-8: Jesus teaches that "God will bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night." The parable of the persistent widow reminds us that God is aware of every injustice and will act at the appointed time.

The prophets also spoke about God’s vengeance. Isaiah wrote:

"Come near, O nations, and listen! Pay attention, all you people of the earth. Let the whole world hear what God has to say. The Lord is angry with all the nations, and His wrath is against their armies. He has completely destroyed them and given them over to slaughter. Their dead bodies will be left unburied, filling the land with a terrible stench. The mountains will be soaked with their blood. … For the Lord has set a day of vengeance, a time of justice for the cause of Zion." (Isaiah 34:1–3, 8)

Isaiah also described God's judgment with powerful imagery:

"He put on righteousness like a breastplate and wore a helmet of salvation on His head. He clothed Himself with garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in zeal like a cloak. He will repay His enemies according to their actions, bringing wrath to His adversaries and judgment to distant lands." (Isaiah 59:17–18)

One of the key messages of the Servant (Jesus Christ) is to declare "the day of vengeance of our God" (Isaiah 61:2). In Isaiah 63:4, God Himself says, "I had planned a day of vengeance in My heart."

These passages show that while God is patient and merciful, He is also a righteous judge who will bring justice in His perfect timing.

Illustration

Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54-60), is a perfect example. Even as he was being stoned, he looked to heaven and prayed for his persecutors, just as Jesus did on the cross. Though his life was cut short, God did not forget him. His blood became a seed for the early church's growth. In the same way, the cries of the martyrs in Revelation remind us that suffering for Christ is never in vain.