Rev. 6:9-11 - The Fifth Seal: The Cry
of the Martyrs
The scene changes with this seal. The four horsemen ride off – complete on earth.
Our attention is brought back to a scene
in heaven.
We see an altar – NOT the altar of
sacrifice, but the incense altar – where the prayers of the saints rise to the Lord.
The last sacrifice has already been offered – in Christ.
The question is appropriate – “How
long – before You make things right?”
The answer is somewhat disturbing –
the worst is yet to come – but THEN – all is well.
God has a plan and is in control –
Nothing can hold back His fulfillment of it. It may get worse before it gets
better, but – God’s wrath will come upon the disobedient.
v.
9 – The death of the martyrs on earth are a sacrifice on the altar of Heaven – “under the altar.” They were martyred because of the Word of God and the Testimony they bore for Jesus,
the Christ. They gave their lives in faithfulness to God. They are given an honorable place in Heaven – and protection.
Rapture?
It is interesting that John never seems to consider rapture or escape for the believers; rather, he shows they are
not spared tribulation and persecution. Instead, true Christians ascend to heaven
through suffering and death. We don’t want to hear this. This is the way Jesus demonstrated – why not us too? There
will always be hostility toward Christians and the “testimony” we have from God - Today too! (Rom. 12:1).
v.
10 – This plea of the martyrs is different from Stephen, whose last words on earth were that the killers be forgiven,
and that their actions not be held against them. (Acts. 7:60). Jesus prayed
from the cross: “Father, forgive them for they don’t realize what
they are doing.”
This question was not so they could
see revenge, BUT that God would be seen as One who avenges and will not be mocked by the wicked.
Vindication rather than revenge is the
main theme here. His enemies will be found guilty and finally punished
forever.
“How long, sovereign Lord?” (powerful Master of all) (of God – Lk. 2:29; Acts 4:24). Holy and true (not just power). Righteous judgment that
is perfect in motive and execution.
“Inhabitants of the earth” - unregenerate – non-Christians – on earth… those responsible for
killing the saints of God (martyrs) – the persecutors of the brethren.
v.
11 – The martyrs were given “white robes” to wear – symbolic of purity and righteousness. They are told to wait a little longer for God’s vindication to take effect. There are more who must suffer and die a martyr’s death according to God’s
plan.
WHITE
= victory – Even though they were killed on earth, they are part of the victory of God and His overall plan. Wait – rest in God’s plan a little longer. As God’s plan for the destiny of humanity and all of history unfolds, there
will be other martyrs for Christ. They will also be part of the victory of God over evil.
Revelation 6:12-17 – The Sixth Seal
The cry of the martyrs of “how
long” is answered in this part of the vision not by a decree of time in months or years, but by a disturbance in the
cosmos that speaks of God’s hand bringing an end to His creation. The end
of the world was at hand. The original audience would not flinch at the description
of what will take place. It is not to be taken literally but in the understanding
of apocalyptic literature. They would reflect back on the earlier writings of
the prophets regarding the “day of the Lord.”
The earthquake relates to divine
visitation. God came to meet with Moses on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:18). “The mountain
trembled violently.” The Lord descended on that mountain, and His presence
brought smoke, fire, and a great earthquake. Obviously, if every mountain and
island were moved from their places (v. 14), the people could not ask the mountains to fall on them and hide them in the caves
from the wrath of God and the Lamb (v 16).
(Is. 2:19) – Isaiah tells that
people will hide themselves in caves from the terror of the Lord “when He arises to make the earth tremble.”
Haggai
2:6 – God will once more shake the heavens and the earth.
Joel
2:30-32 – The prophecy of God causing signs of the coming of the Lord’s Day (blood, fire, smoke),
the sun turns dark and the moon turns red. Peter quotes this in Acts 2:20 as it is partially fulfilled at Pentecost.
All these Signs that the end is very
near – mountains falling, stars falling from the sky, sun and moon visibly effected, the sky (heavens) rolled up like
a scroll that is split across the middle and both ends roll back, are all understood that the very ordered and stable creation
that God is King of is falling apart.
Nah. 1:5 – hills melt away and mountains
quake.
Jer. 4:24 – mountains quaking and
hills moved.
God’s presence is displayed
in power and judgment against the earth and its inhabitants. Whatever really
happens, the people would rather die than face God’s wrath as it is revealed!
THIS LEVEL OF TERROR IS THE ONLY THING
THAT WILL REALLY GET THEIR ATTENTION.
v.
12 -
The scene of the sixth seal – the
disrupted universe should not be new or surprising to us. Jesus –
the Faithful Witness – has already stated these occurrences while He was on earth as recorded in the Gospels. He is now restating or showing John from Heaven. Apocalyptic
style. (earthquake, sun turns black, moon turns like blood, stars fall to earth)
John paints a vivid picture of total
cosmic disturbances. The universe that humanity has always relied upon as a solid
fixture forever, is now seen as just as volatile as the rest of existence and life.
The end of all things is unfolding beginning
with or ushered in by these irregularities in the cosmos (Joel 2:30 -31).
v.
13 – The stars fell to the earth from the sky like figs fall to the ground when wind shakes a fig tree at the end
of the season. Literal? Or Symbolic?
The symbol could be the completeness of the cosmic disaster. There will
be a complete break-down of the cosmic stability and reliability. If literal,
how could people on earth ask the mountains to fall on them to hide them? (v. 15).
v.
14 – The sky (heaven) is rolled up and disappears. The mountains and
islands on earth are uprooted and removed from their places.
v.
15-17 – Great fear befalls EVERYONE great and small when this all begins. Look at the cast of characters? Seven
groups <complete fear> no way to escape it: 1-Kings, 2-Princes, 3-Generals,
4-Rich, 5-Mighty, 6-Slaves, 7-Free. John list these 7 groups of people who run an hide from the presence and wrath of the
Lamb. All of these groups represent people of the earth who should have security
in what they have or what they are, but they have none. In the presence of God
and in His judgment, no one will have any merit of their own to rely on – in fact none will be able to stand on their
own (v. 17). All are undone and realize this.
They flee from the presence of God in their sin – sound familiar? Gen. 3:8 – Adam and Eve hid from the presence of God in their sin. There’s nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Hos. 10:8 – speaks of those who also ask the mountains to cover them.
v.
16 – Recognition that all this is from the hand of God Almighty – judgment.
They fear and hide themselves. There’s nothing in their greatness
they can rely on to help them now and they know it. They fear the ONE who sits
on the throne and the wrath of the Lamb!
This wrath is not some vindictive
work of God or arbitrary occurrence. This is the response of God’s holiness
to those who have completely rejected Him and His commands. The rejection of
Christ’s sacrificial gift personally brings about the wrath of the Lamb (a lamb is so gentle, and yet here brings wrath). He gave His life and shed His blood as the final atoning sacrifice for sin. There’s noting else to offer those who reject this.
v.
17 –There remains only His wrath. No one can escape this on their own
– everyone needs His redemption. Is.
54:10 – Though the mountains may fall… (song).
Summary: Six of the seven seals are opened – we have learned about the four Horseman,
and the death and destruction left in their path; we heard the plea of the martyrs who are waiting for God’s judgment;
we have seen the cosmic disturbance that causes people to realize the wrath of God is coming upon the unbelieving world. Who can stand?
The answer is… the martyrs and all
they represent will come through this victoriously in Christ. God will vindicate
Himself by vindicating His people. God is in command of His universe. We are all part of His plan. Some will be on the side of victory in Jesus, while others will be eternally
defeated and lost.
