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“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. 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.” (Revelation 6.9-11).

The language was highly figurative, but the message was to the point, relevant, and absolutely true. Our task today will not be to understand the entirety of the book of Revelation. It will be to discern a small but significant part of the message that was delivered to John during the age of miraculous inspiration and revelation. The place of the prophecy was on the isle of Patmos (Revelation 1.9). The overall message was delivered in highly figurative language and should be viewed in that manner. The vital truths revealed in the book of Revelation were given in order to enlighten the Lord’s servants concerning, as John called them, “…things which must shortly take place.” (Revelation 1.1).

The specific portion of John’s message which we are addressing today appears in a section of the book in which The Lamb (Jesus Christ) is dramatically revealed to be the only one worthy to open the seals of the hidden mysteries. More specifically, today’s focus text deals with the opening of the fifth of seven seals. As each seal is broken, more of the mysteries are revealed concerning the things that were shortly to take place (shortly in reference to the condition of the saints in the latter part of the first century). The fifth seal is particularly relevant because it contained mysteries regarding the martyrs who “had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” These martyrs had shed their own blood without legal cause (much as Jesus Himself had done). Their burning question was, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

The answer which these “souls who had been slain” heard was truthful even though it was probably not the answer they wanted to hear. It is obvious that these righteous souls wanted revenge to be taken on those yet living who had spilled their innocent blood; they wanted justice to be served! They wanted a date set or at least some idea of the time span until their blood was avenged. However, they did not get what they wanted; but, they received something far more valuable and important.

First, they received a “white robe.” The white robe in this case is universally recognized to be a sign of their righteous condition and the fact that God had accepted their labors even though from an earthly standpoint they had been defeated!

Secondly, they received the sure knowledge that the struggle was not over simply because they had given their own lives; other lives were yet to be given in the ongoing battle between good and evil.

Finally, they were assured that the Lord would take vengeance even as they had asked, but that it would be on His timetable and not theirs. Even though the death of an innocent one is a tragedy, God yet keeps the score and remembers every injustice which must eventually be righted.

Here is the message for us. Every believer is important in God’s sight. However, the saving of all who can and will be saved is the most urgent mission which God has. He allows injustices to occur even while the truth is being preached and other souls are saved as a result. Patience, dear child; God will remember and He will prevail!

Questions:

1. What was the limited mission which the martyrs wished to see accomplished?

2. What was the greater mission that God wants accomplished as His word is further preached?

3. What assurance do we have that God will eventually avenge those who have been mistreated for His cause?

4. Did God hear the cries of these martyrs? Did He answer them? Did He give them what they asked? Why or why not? Were their cries in harmony with the will of God? Why or why not?

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (October 5, 2010)