Martyrs

Martyrs

The Fifth Seal in Scripture

 Revelation 6:9–11When 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 little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Interpretation

1. “Under the altar”

• The altar in heaven mirrors the altar of sacrifice on earth (Leviticus 4:7).

• Blood from sacrifices was poured at the base of the altar; here John sees souls under the altar — meaning their lives were poured out as offerings.

• Every believer who lays down their life for God is remembered at this heavenly altar.

2. “Slain for the word of God and for the testimony”

• These are not random deaths; they are specifically lives ended because they clung to God’s word and would not deny their testimony.

• This spans from Abel (Gen. 4:10: “your brother’s blood cries to Me from the ground”) through the prophets, apostles, and every believer who stood faithful unto death.

3. “How long, O Lord?”

• This is the cry of justice from heaven itself.

• It does not reveal impatience but shows the deep longing for God’s righteous judgment to be fulfilled.

• They know justice is certain — but they ask when.

4. “A white robe was given”

• White robes signify vindication, purity, and belonging.

• Though rejected on earth, heaven clothes them in honor.

• They are seen as complete, perfected, and embraced by God.

5. “Rest a little while longer”

• The martyrs are not forgotten; they are told to rest until the fullness is reached.

• God has a set number of witnesses whose blood will be required. Only when the last has fallen will the seal be finished.

• From Abel, the first martyr, until the final witness before the sixth seal — the line is unbroken.

6. “Until… the number is completed”

• This is the mystery: there is a final martyr, a last life that completes the cry under the altar.

• Once that number is reached, the next stage unfolds — the Sixth Seal, the great shaking of the earth and heavens.

• Who that last one is, only heaven knows. Abel was the first. The last will stand as the closing voice before the world trembles.

Jesus’ Prophecy — Matthew 24:9–14

Persecution Foretold

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” (v. 9)

• This matches the martyrs slain for the Word of God.

• Jesus warns His followers that martyrdom is not the exception but part of the prophetic path.

The Harmony

• The Fifth Seal (Rev. 6:9–11) and Matthew 24:9–14 are describing the same season: persecution, martyrdom, betrayal, endurance, and the worldwide testimony of the Kingdom.

• Both emphasize that there is a fullness — a set completion — before the next stage begins.

The Sixth Seal

“The earth will be shaken…” (Rev. 6:12–17)

• A great earthquake.

• Sun darkened, moon like blood, stars falling.

• Heaven rolled back like a scroll.

• Kings, rich and poor alike, hide in terror from the Lamb’s wrath.

To be continued…