The voice of the Martyrs
September 19, 2020
Commentary
5. Fifth Seal – Speaks of the Martyrs slain (vv. 9-11).
6. Sixth Seal – The world is shattered (vv. 12-17).
The sight the apostle beheld at the opening the fifth seal was very heart searching. He saw the souls of the martyrs under the altar, at the foot of the altar in heaven, at the feet of Christ. Evidently these were the martyrs of the first months of the tribulation period (v. 9). Note that these martyrs are alive and conversing with the Lord in His presence (v. 10). It appears that it was difficult for these martyrs to understand why God would allow their murderers to live; yet God asks these saints to trust Him (v. 11). Persecutors can only kill the body; after that there is no more they can do; the soul lives. God has provided a good place in the better world, for those who are faithful unto death. It is not their own death, but the sacrifice of Christ, that gives them entrance into heaven.
The cause in which they suffered, was for the word of God (the best cause any man can lay down his life for) faith in God’s word, and the unshaken confession of that faith. They commit their cause to Him to whom vengeance belongs. The Lord is the comforter of his afflicted servants, and precious is their blood in his sight. As the measure of the sin of persecutors is filling up, so is the number of the persecuted, martyred servants of Christ. When this is fulfilled, God will send tribulation to those who trouble them, and unbroken happiness and rest to those that are troubled. (vv. 12-17) When the tribulation comes people will act as if they believe the end of the world is at hand, not simply talk as if it were (v. 16).
Application
No one who has rejected God can survive the day of His wrath, but those who belong to Christ will receive a reward rather than punishment. I am so thankful that I do not have to fear His wrath.
Revelation 6:9– 17 (NET)
9 Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Each of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached of both their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.
12 Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became blood red; 13 and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the very important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”