Revelation 6:9-11 — Seal #5 Cries of the Martyrs for Judgment and Vengeance

Rev. 6:9   When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;  10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  11 And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.

Prayer and Bible Expo

Who breaks the fifth seal? (6:9)

“He” – the Lamb (6:9).

What does John see?  (6:9)

“. . . I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain. . .” (6:9).

What are two reasons that they were slain? (6:9)

·      “. . . because of the word of God . . .” (6:9)

·      “. . . and because of the testimony which they had maintained” (6:9).

What do they cry out with a loud voice? (6:10)

“. . . How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (6:10).

How do they address the Lord? (6:10)

“O Lord, holy and true” (6:10).

What were the souls of those who had been slain seeking? (6:10)

The Lord to judge and avenge their blood (6:10).

Who would be the recipients of the Lord’s judgment and vengeance for those slain?

(6:10)

“those who dwell on the earth” (6:10).

What is given to them? (6:11)

“a white robe ” (6:11).

What were they told? (6:11)

“. . . and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also” (6:11).

How long were they to rest? (6:11)

“for a little while longer” (6:11).

How long would their rest be prolonged?

“. . . until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been would be completed also” (6:11).

In what manner would their fellow servants and their brethren, who were to be killed, die?

“. . . even as they had been . . .” (6:11).

What impresses you about the fifth seal? 

God hears the cries of the martyrs after their deaths, and they are crying out for judgment and vindication. God tenderly clothes them in white robes and cares for them. During the Tribulation, those who dwell on the earth are held collectively accountable for those slain because of the word of God and because of the testimony which they held. Judgment will be delayed until the completion of the deaths of the predetermined number of martyrs.

LORD of Sabaoth,

Holy and true. God of comfort and Father of all compassion. You are righteous, and You love righteousness. Your eyes behold, Your eyelids test the sons of men. You test the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence, Your soul hates. You are just and the judge of all who persecute the saints whom You love and whom You gather under the refuge of Your outstretched wing. Your Name is a strong tower. The righteous runs into it and is safe. Vengeance is Yours. It is Yours to repay. May those who suffer for the sake of righteousness be patient, enduring until the coming of the Lord, strengthening their hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. He is the Alpha and the Omega, Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty. May the persecuted not fear, for Jesus is the first and the last, and the living One. He was dead, and behold, He is alive forevermore, and He has the keys of death and of Hades. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.