Revelation 6:9-17
The Martyrs Cry for Justice
Read the passage
9And when the Lamb 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 they had upheld.
10And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”
11Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.
12And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,
13and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind.
14The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.
15Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.
16And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.
17For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
When the Lamb opens the fifth seal, John sees under the altar the souls of those killed for God's word and the testimony they upheld. They cry out to the holy and true Lord, asking how long He will wait to judge the earth's inhabitants and avenge their blood.
Each receives a white robe and is told to rest a little longer, until their fellow servants and brothers who are to be killed as they were have joined them. God has not forgotten the martyrs. Yet His answer does not promise that no more believers will die for their witness.
When the sixth seal opens, there is a great earthquake. The sun becomes black, the moon like blood, stars fall, the sky vanishes, and mountains and islands move. Kings, great people, commanders, rich, strong, slave, and free hide in caves and ask the mountains to fall on them rather than face the One on the throne and the wrath of the Lamb.
Those hiding say that the great day of wrath has come and ask who can withstand it. The martyrs had asked how long judgment would wait. Now the vision shows people of every rank unable to shelter themselves from it. God's patience does not mean that injustice will continue forever.
The martyrs bring their demand for justice to the Lord who is holy and true. We can pray honestly for Him to judge evil while leaving vengeance in His hands. Their waiting is difficult, but their lives and deaths matter to Him. So do the faithful witnesses who will follow them.
Questions
1 Who is under the altar?
AnswerThe souls of people slain for God's word and their witness are under the altar. Their deaths are remembered in the place of worship rather than erased by the powers that killed them.
2 What do they ask?
AnswerThey ask how long it will be before God judges and avenges their blood. The question gives faithful sufferers permission to long for justice.
3 What are they given?
AnswerEach receives a white robe and is told to rest a little longer. Their fellow servants and brothers who will also be killed must be added to their number.
4 Who hides during the sixth seal?
AnswerPeople across every social rank hide, from kings and commanders to slaves and free people. The upheaval reaches those who usually appear protected by status.
What This Means for Us
If cruelty against Christians leaves you angry or distressed, bring that response to God. Ask Him to stop the harm, judge those responsible, and sustain the people still in danger. Support lawful efforts to protect them. The martyrs' cry gives us words for longing for justice while we wait for the Lord to act.
Prayer
Sovereign Lord, hear the cries of people who have been killed or oppressed for faithful witness. Give us patience without indifference, courage to seek justice, and compassion for those who still wait. Amen.