When the fifth seal is opened John sees all the souls of those had been slain for the word of God gathered under the altar of God calling out for vengeance.
The altar (θυσιαστήριον) can refer to the altar in the court of the temple used for the daily sacrifices or the altar of incense inside the temple itself (Luke 1:11). But it can also refer to the sacrifice on the altar itself.
Who are these souls under the altar in Revelation 6? Are they just people killed in the tribulation or throughout the history of the church? Revelation refers to people killed for their testimony and their refusal to worship the beast (13:15) or refused his mark (20:4). The souls are under the altar because the resisted the kingdom of the beast. This could refer to all the martyrs for the whole history of the church (an idealist view) or just those who died in the tribulation (a futurist view). Beale suggests their location under the altar “emphasizes the divine protection that has held sway over their “soul” despite even their loss of physical life because of persecution” (Revelation, 392).
The people under the altar call out to God as “Sovereign Lord.” Lord is δεσπότης (despostes), a term that is normally used by a slave addressing their master, although it is used in the LXX 17 times for God. Aune points out it is a “regular Greek translation of two Latin terms for the Roman emperor” (Aune, Revelation 6–16, 407). This is a hint of the identity of the source of the persecution of God’s people in Revelation, the master who rules the world is not the real, “holy and true” master in heaven.
The people crying out are wearing white robes and are standing under the altar of God. To be under the altar is to be covered in the blood of the slain Lamb of God. In the seven letters, the ones who have overcome are given white robes (3:4-5; 18).
These souls ask God how long he will wait before avenging their deaths. The cry “how long?” appears in the Psalms and Zechariah 1:12. For example, Psalm 6:3, “my soul is greatly troubled, But you, O Lord, how long?” Psalm 13 begins with the words “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” Psalm 74:10, “How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?”
The Lord tells them to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers is complete. This answer can be taken several ways. First, it could refer to the total number of martyrs is reached. This implies God knows how many have been chosen to give their lives. Second, some would take this as a reference to when the last martyr dies, then Christ will return and destroy the kingdom of the Beast. The view of the early church was that God had established a “number” for the martyrs. A third possibility is this refers to the end of suffering on earth in general This may include martyrdom, but some will survive until the end to enter into the kingdom.
The souls call on God to avenge them. This is a common Old Testament theme: God is the avenger of the innocent. The souls under the altar are making a legal complaint to God for justice. Since God is the “just judge,” the martyrs can ask him to give them the justice they deserve by punishing the ones who put them to death.
Psalm 9:13 O Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
Fourth Ezra has a similar theme. In 4 Ezra 4:35-37 the souls of the righteous call out “how long” and look forward to the harvest when they would be rewarded. Like Revelation 6:10, they are told they must wait until “the number of those like yourselves is completed.”
4 Ezra 4:35–37 Did not the souls of the righteous in their chambers ask about these matters, saying, ‘How long are we to remain here? And when will the harvest of our reward come?’ 36 And the archangel Jeremiel answered and said, ‘When the number of those like yourselves is completed; for he has weighed the age in the balance, 37 and measured the times by measure, and numbered the times by number; and he will not move or arouse them until that measure is fulfilled.’ ”
In 1 Enoch 9:10 the ones who have died of blood and oppression bring a lawsuit to the gate of heaven, described as groaning under in the face of their oppression.
1 Enoch 9:10 And now behold, the Holy One will cry, and those who have died will bring their suit up to the gate of heaven. Their groaning has ascended (into heaven), but they could not get out from before the face of the oppression that is being wrought on earth
The fifth seal therefore vividly pictures those who have given their lives resisting the empire and holding on to their testimony for the Lord waiting on the Lord to avenge their deaths. The Lord’s words are comforting, they only need to wait a little while. The Lord will judge rightly between the oppressor and the oppressed and he will punish and reward with justice.
It seems after reading this blog and revelation 6:9-11 that this is more about trusting in GOd’s time and not our own. Ps 94:3 is asking how long the wicked will rule. Just like the ones under the alter ask how long? Once again we are left interpreting a vision of John. It seems that the key to this is figuring out a numerical value of how many people are to be martyred before God avenges those he has deemed righteous. This could however unlikely be another reference to the 144,000. What I found really interesting about this post was how P. Long points out how the people refer to God as the Sovereign Lord and how the LXX uses that term 17 times that would mean there is some importance to this term and how it is used. If the imagery pithing rRevelation refers to certain empires that the Christian and Jewish people had to deal with then it should not be stretch that John once again is possibly using language that the people reading this book would understand.
The imagery of the martyrs being under the altar is pretty neat. I think through the ultimate sacrifice we as believers can give to God is the same gift that Christ gave us which is giving up your life for the sake of the gospel. I believe there is a special place in heaven for all who are martyred for the sake of the gospel. I do like what Jason said about trusting God as the passages provided such as Psalms 9:13 and 4 Ezra 4:35–37 seem to be a cry out to God and something that is “looked forward to” as Dr. Long mentions. I think ultimately, it’s important to look at what Dr. Long writes in that “The Lord’s words are comforting, they only need to wait a little while. The Lord will judge rightly between the oppressor and the oppressed and he will punish and reward with justice” (Reading Acts). This is an answer to the question of “how long?” in response to asking when he will avenge their deaths. Understanding the attributes of God being a God of holiness, mercifulness and justice is important when interpreting this as we will all have to answer to God.
This is truly beautiful in connection with 1 Peter. 1 Peter is encouraging believers to endure suffering as Christ did and it says, “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23). Jesus himself trusted God the Fathers judgment for the suffering he faced. These martyrs have obviously followed Christ’s example (or have had the forward-looking faith to the hope Jesus was bringing if they were from the Old Testament) and have suffered and are not leaving the judgment to God even to the point of death these martyrs have reserved judgment as God’s place and not theirs. This is powerful, that the martyrs would imitate Jesus even in this way. Something that I also find profound is the way that martyrdom for the sake of God’s word has been a common experience between both the Old and New Testament. There is evidence of great suffering for the sake of the Lord in both. It seems it is possible that the martyrs could be from both the past, present and future rather than one group or the other.
The fifth seal, which discusses the martyrs in heaven, is a comforting part of Revelation. There is a special place under the Lord’s throne for martyrs. There is no certainty whether this is referring to martyrs throughout the whole church or martyrs during the tribulation. However, the sacrifice of these Christians will be recognized, and it says that they are waiting for the other souls. “They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been” (Revelation 6:10-11 ESV). As Revelation six is read the plan is unfolding as the seals are opened. Different punishments are happening and within those punishments there are martyrs for the sake of Christ. They do not give into the mark of the beast, and they hold steadfast for the Lord. They are waiting for their other brothers in Christ and are asking the Lord when they will be avenged. The Lord assures them that their time is coming and that they can rest now. This is a very comforting message to the martyrs. They have given up their lives for the Lord and are recognized by the Lord. The book of Revelation gives the reader insight into the future life of a Christian during this time. There will be extreme persecution and hardship for our brothers in Christ during this time.
Revelation 6:9-11 portrays an interesting picture of the martyred believers underneath the altar of God, asking God if the time for vengeance, repaying judgment against those who have oppressed them. The altar itself may refer to one used in the temple for daily sacrifices or the altar used inside of the temple (Lk 1:11), producing a symbol of persecution and oppression. The martyrs are depicted underneath the altar have various possible interpretations, either referring to those killed in the first century, the martyrs broadly, leaning into an idealist framework, or everyone including future saints, leaning into futurist interpretations (Long, 2020). At first glance, I would surprisingly find some alignment with the Idealist interpretation, although a preterist and futurist hermeneutic could also produce coherent interpretations. It seems that the author may be speaking quite broadly, simply trying to describe the martyrs generally, without a distinct time period in mind.
What I find most interesting is the emphasis of these on vengeance, as while Revelation certainly does not shy away from warrior-like language surrounding God, I wonder how this fits the New Testament’s broader appeal to restorative justice. In Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus says that one should pray for those who persecute you, and John 5:24 and Romans 6:5-7 both emphasize restoration and growth in and through Christ. Of course, one could argue that these persecuters never repent, hence receiving God’s retributive justice through judgment. Yet, does this alleviate believers from desiring the restoration of all people to God? God desires all men to come to Him (1 Tim 2:4-6), should we not as well? I think an obvious explanation is the difference of genre, as a piece of apocalyptic literature, it is going to emphasize dramatic depictions of God’s judgment and protection of His people, along with His coming kingdom which will divide follower from non-believer. One can find harmony between these distinctive passages because of their internal contexts and genres, will inevitably emphasize different elements of faith and the eschatological future. However, perhaps on a more controversial level, Revelation 21:23-27 does seem to indicate that following judgment, some will still enter into the city of God from outside the walls, pulling on imagery from Isaiah 60. It could be the case that, even within Revelation, some elements of restoration could be intended for non-believers.
The Fifth Seal of Revelation 6:9–11 describes the martyrs who were persecuted, tortured, and ultimately taken to heaven. We can see how important this theme is. Christians were brutally murdered for their beliefs in the true God and for rejecting the beast or for not accepting the mark of the beast on their hands or foreheads. Dr. Long raised an excellent point regarding Beale when he said that although their lives would be lost in order to spread the gospel throughout the world, Beale’s “souls” were under the altar, signifying that they would be shielded by the all-powerful Divine One. Being beneath the altar signifies having been physically pure in heart and pure in mind, spirit, and soul. “The ones who have overcome are given white robes” (4-5; 18). The people cry out to God and ask Him, How long will it take for Him to make justice for them? Today, a great number of Christians are being persecuted and tortured all over the world because they follow the real God, Jesus Christ, and believe in His work. “Faithfulness to God’s laws” (2 Macc 7:2), the “king of the universe” (7:9), is worth suffering and dying for. (Blackwell et al., 2019, p. 68). However, God will exact justice on them, just as He has in the past, since He declares, “Mine is the Vengeance.” He says those that do harm to His children, He will make justice for them. In the times of Christ, the Christians would ask God the question, “Will you forget me forever and hide your face from me?” Psalm 74:10. The Lord replies to wait a little longer. Dr. Long combined three arguments about the number of people who gave their lives for Jesus, thus it is possible that God is just waiting for the final martyr to die in order to return and end the Beast’s rule. Finally, suffering comes to an end, yet many people will live to accompany Christ when He returns to earth. I found it very enjoyable when Dr. Long said that the Lord will offer peace to people who are worried, comfort those going through trials, and give them the hope they need to persevere through difficult times knowing that He will deliver them from their worries.
The fifth seal has always been very interesting to me and stuck out to me again as I reread the book of Revelation. It is a seal that is torn but nothing really happens besides a conversation, a call to wait, and white robes are given. There is something to be said about the imagery of this scene. It is a powerful and reassuring seal that is placed in between seals that have destruction and pain. The souls under the alter who have been slain (Rev. 6: 9) is such a power scene. It shows this great reminder that no matter the life of a follower on Earth, God is bringing justice but in his due time. The people asked God, how much longer (Rev. 6: 10). They are wanting the justice promised to them. They are waiting for and desiring that promise from God. The response to them is also another beautiful piece of the text. It says that they were told to wait a little longer (Rev. 6:11). It is not a rebuke to those under the alter but a gentle, it is almost time response. God understand the desire of those who have been slain. He will bring justice to those who have done evil things to his people. What a confidence that can be had in the promises of God. It is not something that we have to wonder about when we see believers die. We can know with confidence that God is taking care of those against his people, and that in due time it will be made right.
Out of all of the seven seals the fifth seal stands out in a couple of unique ways. The fifth seal does not use the same imagery of the first four seals. The first four seals all have a different horse and horseman who brings judgement on the earth (Rev. 6:1-8). The fifth seal does not involve any horse or horseman (Rev. 6:9). The first four seals also begin with the four living creatures summoning the horsemen, but the fifth seal does not have any association with the four living creatures (Rev. 6:1-11). This is somewhat of a shift within the chapter. Previously, I always thought that when the fifth seal is opened that John sees the souls of those who have been slain with God in Heaven, but after reading chapter 6 in Revelation the mention of the altar seems out of place. If this is some sort of altar in Heaven John has not discussed it in Revelation, but it appears that he believes that those he is writing to know what altar he is talking about. This seems to point to it being the altar of incense at the temple (Luke. 1:11). The imagery associated with the seals can be confusing and lead us to speculate on every single detail, but the principle should not be missed. Whether or not these are only those who were martyred during the tribulation or all Christians who have been martyred throughout history, the principle is that God will avenge those who have been martyred. Christians in America would most likely squirm at the idea of being martyred, but this should not be the case. “…the martyrs under the altar are archetypal of what it means to be followers of the lamb” (Paul, 2019, p. 71). Those who were martyred are what we should strive for because they hold fast to what they believed and the word of God, in the face of death while Christians in America will falter in the face of public opinion (Rev. 6:9).
I believe that in Revelation 7:9-11 is supposed to be an encouragement to believers in any era of time to keep enduring for their faith and keep witnessing for God even to the pint of martyrdom. I believe in this because the text here refers to “those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne” (ESV, Rev 6:9). There is Not any specified period in which the Saints which leads me to think that this is not the time of the great tribulation for those who do not worship the beast in Rev 13 and Rev 20. The one points out how This verse could be referring to martyrs during the time of tribulation It does not say that within Revelation 6: 9-11, But it is just a general statement for those who died for their faith asking God for justice to avenge Their deaths. The theme of asking God to punish the oppressors of those who are Innocent Is a. theme that occurs throughout the Bible, especially in the book of Psalms. Psalms 6: 3, 9:13, and 74:10 oppressed people asking God for justice for their oppressors. Persecution was something that has endured for all time, especially for both Jews in the Old Testament and Christians Throughout history. It is something that can be learned from this text of that how God will have justice on those who oppress the believers, but it is also a call to endurance and to remain faithful even to the end, even to the point of death, like so many before have. As a Christian in North America, I am not persecuted. However, I can stand firm in who I am as a disciple of Jesus to be willing to be different, even if it means not being accepted within a culture.
This passage of scripture has given me a different perspective on martyrdom. As mentioned in the blog an old testament theme of God being some sort of avenger of those who were in a type of martyrdom has never been something that I have taken into account before. For me Growing up in this day and age martyrs are something that you here about and think about for the few seconds that it is high priority news and when this has happens you feel bad for someone dying for their faith but now reading this passage I have never thought of the martyrs crying out to God to bring justice to the innocent. The fifth seal is something that interested me because of the imagery of all the martyrs there waiting for God to avenge them and bring down those who oppressed them.
This blog post goes into some very profound symbolism and theological problems of the fifth seal in the Book of Revelation. The post starts by going into the imagery of souls that are gathered around the altar of God, these souls are calling out for vengeance for their martyrdom. The discussion is about identifying the souls under the altar and what their significance is in their location. The post talks about two main interpretations; one being that it sees the souls as representing martyrs throughout the history of the church. The other view is that it directly views the souls as specifically those who died in the tribulation period. The use of the term “Sovereign Lord” in the cry gives a contrast between the earthly rulers, which are symbolized as the Roman Empire, and the true Lord in Heaven. The wearing of white robes and standing under the altar, the souls are understood as being covered in sacrificial blood that was given by the Lamb, which would symbolize their purity and redemption. Their plea to God is very similar to the cries that are in the Psalms and other Old Testament passages. The response of the Lord, which is encouraging the souls to rest a little longer until the full number of martyrs is complete, touches on the themes of divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of God’s plan. This gives comfort to the martyrs, reassuring them that justice will be served.