Revelation 6:9-11

The 5^th Seal

Read text

Pray

Introduction

√ So it begins

Remember - we begin with 7 Seals, followed by 7 Trumpets, and 7 Bowls, which describe the outpouring of God's Wrath upon the World.

Time frame isn't clear - that is, what part of the Tribulation is covered by each event.

But we do know:

1st seal = beginning of Tribulation

7th bowl = end of Tribulation

√ Last week

Last time we looked at the first 4 Seals - the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.

White horse & rider - Antichrist

Red horse - war

Black horse - famine

Pale horse - Death

√ This morning

We finish chapter 6 which records the breaking of the 5^th and 6^th Seals of the Scroll.

The response of those in heaven and on earth to the breaking of the first 4 Seals.

Ap. The wrath of God

All of us deserve the wrath of God! The only difference between those whom we read about in chapter 6 and ourselves is that we’ve moved out from under His judgment by receiving Jesus as our Savior.

5th Seal - response of the martyrs in heaven

Rev 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.

Rev 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?"

Rev 6:11 And 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.

√ The 5^th Seal

John's attention moves from the activity on Earth – back to the activity in Heaven. As the 5th Seal is broken he sees…

Altar - in the Old Testament when the priest presented the sacrifice he poured the blood of the animal at the base of the altar (Lev. 4:7).

Blood = life

So, here in the Revelation when we see the souls of the martyrs "under the altar"…

…it indicates that their lives were given sacrificially for their faith in Jesus.

Ex. Paul uses similar imagery to speak of his own death...

2Ti 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

√ Who are these martyrs?

Might be better to first define what a martyr is!

Greek "martus" (Eng. martyr) = "a witness"

These who John sees then are those who have been killed for their witness for Jesus.

Look at vs. 9 again....

"...who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held."

These saints were killed by the forces of Antichrist because of their witness of the Truth and the message of the Gospel.

√ Why?

Why would anyone kill someone for what they believe?

In our so-called "age of enlightenment" why would anyone be threatened by Truth?

Because God's Truth reveals what Antichrist and Satan do not want men to know...

They are not God!

They are imitations only

They are leading people into hell

Satan and his servants (including the Antichrist) can only succeed where Truth is not known. That is why we find them so busy suppressing the Truth.

Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Is it any wonder then that the wicked throughout history have…

Banned & burned the Bible

Silenced the teaching of Bible in public forms

Suppressed factual evidence that supports the Bible

Please understand that we’re not talking about just countries ruled by Communist dictators, or oppressive Islamic clerics…

…we’re talking about the so-called “free” societies of the West!

Ex. The West

Canada and the USA

In Canada it is against the Law to read Romans chapter 1 on television or radio because it is supposedly “hate” literature!

In the USA it is against the law to teach Special Creation along side of Evolution in public schools – even though the scientific community acknowledges that Special Creation is better supported by the facts.

Why? Because the power behind the political agenda doesn’t want Truth known! The Truth is powerful, Jesus said…

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

So, now you understand why you and I experience resistance in the public arena when we speak the Truth – Satan is the power behind those who oppose the message of Christ.

Regarding the Tribulation saints we find that many will give their lives as witness for Jesus Christ – the Truth.

√ Tribulation saints

We can identify these martyrs as coming out of the Great Tribulation verses martyrs from history by looking at vs. 10...

Rev 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?"

That is, the murders responsible for killing these saints are still living on the earth during the Tribulation period.

However, in a broad sense they do also represent all of God's servants from Cain to the present time who have been murdered for their testimony of God.

√ Revenge?

Vs. 10 introduces an interesting question...

…is it "Christian" for these saints to call for God's judgement on those responsible for their deaths?

Ex. Jesus and Stephen prayed....

"Father forgive them..."

However, in verse 10 we find those who died like Jesus and Stephen calling upon God to avenge their deaths!?

I don't doubt that these saints probably also prayed for their murders, as that is the right thing to do (Matt. 5:10-10; 43-48).

However, notice the question that they ask of God...

Not whether He will judge their murderers.

But, when will He judge them!

That is, they aren’t asking God to do something, rather, when He will do what He has already promised to do.

Ex. The cry of God's people has always been...

"How long, O Lord?"

Those who love righteousness can not stand to see wickedness exalted and evil unpunished.

Psa 94:3 LORD, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph?

Psa 94:4 They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.

Psa 94:5 They break in pieces Your people, O LORD, And afflict Your heritage.

Psa 94:6 They slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless.

Psa 94:7 Yet they say, "The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand."

Reminds us that we currently live in an Age of Grace in which God does not bring immediate judgement upon sin.

Ex. When Shirley MaClaine said "I am God" - God didn't carbonize her and say "no you aren't!".

Every once in a while He does judge like that - Herod in Acts 12.

But for the vast majority of sins committed God in His long-suffering and kindness is not currently bringing immediate judgement upon sinners.

The wicked today as in the day of the Psalmist laugh and cry out...

"The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand."

What they sadly do not understand is that God has a plan and the Age of His Grace has an end…

…at which point He will bring sudden and complete judgement upon those who have refused His Gift of Grace in Jesus Christ.

Ap. We must pray earnestly for those who oppose us and the Gospel while we still can! For a day is coming when it will be too late for the wicked to turn.

√ A final point

Notice God's response to the cry of His witnesses...

God comforts them by...

Clothing them in a white robe - representing the righteousness of Christ and the faithful witness of these who gave their lives up rather than deny Jesus.

Speaking to them that they should wait till the rest of those who would die for Jesus was completed.

"Completed" - reveals that even in the death of a believer - God is in control and He has a plan that He is working out.

Ap. For the Christian death is an appointment with glory, never and accident!

The significance of this 5th Seal as it relates to those who have given their lives for the Word of God and His Testimony is this;

The breaking of the seal represents Jesus' claim upon the souls of those who gave their lives for Him.

There is great comfort for us in that knowledge! For we do not have to fear death, even a martyrs death, because no one, nor any disease, has power to take our life from us.

When our appointment is up - Jesus will issue an invitation and we will be ushered into His presence.

He claims us as His own!

"Precious (lit. “of great significance”) in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints."

Psalm 116:15

The Lord is on the Throne and in control even when it looks like the wicked are winning.