“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 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?” Then a white robe was given to each of them, and it was said to them that they should rest a bit longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Verses 9-11 present the fifth seal judgment.

6:9

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

The fifth seal reveals those martyred for Christ.

The phrase “under the altar” may refer to the blood the martyrs shed for their testimony for Christ. The “altar” here is an allusion to the altar of the temple or tabernacle. This was a bronze altar outside the Holy of Holies, the place of animal sacrifice. This refers to the work of Christ on the cross. These martyrs died for their testimony to His work on the cross.

These martyrs died for their adherence to the Word of God and for their testimony to the person and work of Christ.

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?”

The martyrs cry to God with loud voices and ask how long this persecution will last. They call for retaliation upon their persecutors. This event is not a day of grace but a day of God’s judgment on the earth. God will call to account those who perpetrate injustice in the world. The prayers of these martyrs mirror God’s program for the Tribulation. Today, God calls Christians to forgive like Stephen, the first martyr.

6:11

Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

God gives the martyrs white robes. The “white” robe indicates their victory as martyrs and their share in eternal life. “White” indicates that they possess imputed righteousness. This is not their own righteousness but the righteousness that God gives them.

They would have to wait (rest) until other martyrs face their fate. God has a perfect time for everything. Vengeance is God’s; He will repay in His own good timing. We can leave God’s justice in His hands. God has a time for everything, so we can relax and leave it in His care. There is no point in getting upset and bitter. No hatred or vindictiveness, implacability, or fear will help us. We need to rest in the sovereignty of God. There is a suitable time for God’s vengeance.

Principle:

Pride keeps people from God, even in the face of significant evidence.

Application:

It is strange that people who see the direct hand of God upon earth still refuse to believe. They think death is better than belief. They believe they can escape God by death by entering oblivion.

God says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this, the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Pride will keep them from humbly submitting themselves to God. They must stay in charge of their life. They cannot yield themselves to God. To yield ourselves to the death of Christ as the only payment for our sins is a hard pill to swallow for arrogant humans. We can only come to God by grace. If grace does not humble us, God’s judgment will in the eternal state.