Revelation (Written)

Sunday, 29 November 2020

And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Revelation 6:13

The previous verse spoke of a great earthquake and the darkening of the sun and the moon. The events continue in the heavens in this verse where John says, “And the stars of heaven fell to the earth.” The symbolism that was presented by the Lord in Matthew 24:29 continues here. There, He said, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven.”

Concerning these stars, there are two general ways the words are interpreted. The first is that these are literal meteors in the heavens falling to earth, which to John would appear as stars. This then could indicate the timing of the surrounding events – such as during a Perseid or Leonid meteor shower.

This would be perfectly in line with the symbolism of the sun and moon being darkened in the preceding verse and the earthquake before that – each of which is plausible and likely if the events are to be taken literally. If this natural explanation is correct, it is important to remember that the Bible, at times, describes events as they would appear to the spectator, not in scientifically accurate terms.

However, there is a second option as well. It could be that the stars are references to people in high positions, religious or otherwise. This terminology is used elsewhere in the Bible, such as in Daniel 8:10 – “And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.”

The symbolism of stars being equated to rulers or leaders is found elsewhere as well. In Numbers 24:17, there is a prophecy that says, “A Star shall come out of Jacob.” That is then defined by the next clause, saying, “A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” It is a messianic prophecy of the coming Messiah. Later, in Isaiah 17, the “day star” of verse 12 is referred to. In verse 13, he then says, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.”

Such references (and others) are to leaders, religious or civil. If this is the correct interpretation, then the symbolism appears to be that the religious leaders are abandoning their religious allegiances and focusing on the anti-Christ.

Not only then is military power being solidified, but also the religious activities of the world are being brought into one large body of apostasy, of which Israel participates. As this is during the tribulation period, Israel’s final seven years under the law (Daniel 9:24-27), this allegorical meaning is quite likely. With this in mind, John then says, “as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.”

The symbolism here continues in Matthew 24:29 (cited above) in its final clause –

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

An early description of these events (the stars of heaven falling to the earth and the fig tree dropping its late figs) is found in Isaiah 34. There, it says –

“All the host of heaven shall be dissolved,
And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll;
All their host shall fall down
As the leaf falls from the vine,
And as fruit falling from a fig tree.” Isaiah 34:4

This then is to be taken together with Jesus’ words of Matthew 24 –

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ³³ So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! ³⁴ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35

Jesus speaks of the fig tree being tender and sprouting. At that time, the events of these terrible times will begin to come to pass. What the fig symbolizes, then, must be determined. It was first mentioned in the Garden of Eden. After the fall, it says –

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” Genesis 3:7

The fig, or teenah in Hebrew, can be seen here and elsewhere to signify a connection to God or a disconnect from Him. Jesus provided a clue of this symbolism when He cursed the fig tree in Mark 11 –

“Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. ¹³ And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴ In response Jesus said to it, ‘Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.’” Mark 11:12-14

He was making a living parable of the cutting off of the spiritual connection to God through the ineffective temple worship. No fruit was borne through it, and it was to be terminated. Thus, Jesus’ words of Matthew 24 are saying that there will be a time when the spiritual connection to God is blossoming. However, that will be terminated as prophesied with the words “the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs.”

The temple that is supposed to bring a reconnection to the Lord will fail to do so. Only by coming to God through Christ can this truly come about.

Life application: What is written in the Bible is from our human perspective. Even in modern times we do this, such as saying, “The sun will rise at 7:10 am.” The sun doesn’t actually rise, but from our perspective it does. Therefore, the Bible cannot be accused of dishonesty when otherwise odd pronouncements are made, such as stars of heaven falling to earth. They are for the benefit of the reader.

Therefore, even if they appear as “stars” to John’s eyes, they can simply be meteors. However, the symbolic typology is more likely concerning what is referred to here. It is speaking of rulers who are supposed to be exalted, but who instead are disgraced.

Either way, literally or symbolically, the world is in its tailspin and the events are on a global scale. These things will be fully understood only after they come to pass, but there is enough information provided now to give us insights into what is coming. The only way to not be swept up in the catastrophes that lie ahead is to accept the gospel now and to call out to Jesus. It is He who is the true Star that blazes brightly from the throne of God. He is our great Lord and Savior. He is JESUS.

Thank You, Lord, for allowing us to peer into the future events prophesied in Your word and to see what is coming. Although we may struggle with individual interpretations, we know the overall outcome. It is wonderful to know that you have complete control over the future and that we are already safe in You. Glory be to You, O God. Amen.

Saturday, 28 November 2020

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. Revelation 6:12

John’s attention is now redirected once again with the breaking of the next seal. The first four seals dealt with the judgments upon the earth, symbolized by the four horsemen. The fifth seal took us to the heavenly altar and the souls of those who were martyred for faith in Christ during those judgments. John is now directed back to the earth and the “two great lights” of Genesis 1, the sun and the moon. The scene begins with, “I looked when He opened the sixth seal.”

A new judgment is coming. Whether these judgments are chronological or not is debated, but probably not. Each is simply something that occurs during the tribulation period, and it is introduced in a logical sequence for the reader to understand. For example, it is certain that the consequences of the four horsemen will fill the entire tribulation period. For now, however, John is directed to the events surrounding this sixth seal, saying, “and behold, there was a great earthquake.”

The word translated as “earthquake” is seismos. It signifies a shaking, or even a storm (as in Matthew 8:24). Despite being a “shaking,” the translation of “earthquake” is certainly correct. The Bible records several earthquakes in the past and in the future. One such example is found in Ezekiel 38 –

“‘And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,’ says the Lord God, ‘that My fury will show in My face. ¹⁹ For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: “Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, ²⁰ so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.”’” Ezekiel 38:18-20

The timing of earthquakes, such as the one in Ezekiel, is propitiously placed when redemptive events occur. One of the most notably propitious timings of all such events in human history is found in Matthew 27 –

“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, ⁵² and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; ⁵³ and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” Matthew 27:51-53

Another such event is prophesied to occur at Christ’s second coming when His feet stand on the Mount of Olives. At that time, it will be split in two according to Zechariah 14:4. God’s purposes for moving history along in a predetermined manner include His use of the elements to effect those purposes.

John next says, “and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.” It is two separate things, but they are the result of one event. Because the events are mentioned after the earthquake, this terminology is surely to be taken literally. What is most likely being described is an earthquake large enough to cause volcanoes or some other natural disaster that will spew great volumes of dust and debris into the atmosphere. This will cause the darkening of the sun during the day and the moon looking red like blood at night.

This is seen at times from other such events. Sandstorms from Africa will cause the sun and moon to darken over the United States. The oil fields burning during the Iraq war caused this to occur for an extended period of time in many parts of the world, and so on.

As the events of the Bible are generally surrounding the Middle East, it is certain that this is the view that will be seen from there, and particularly in Israel. Based on the terminology in the rest of this chapter, it is likely that this will not be isolated to the Middle East though, but it could possibly encompass the whole earth. Such an event is prophesied by Christ Jesus in Matthew 24 –

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  ³¹ And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31

The two accounts between Matthew and Revelation parallel exactingly. The events of the first five loosing of the seals closely match the events Jesus speaks of in Matthew 24 that precede His coming as prophesied there. The words of Matthew 24 match the verses here in Revelation 6. And so, even if not completely chronological in the opening of the seals, they do follow the overall pattern of what Jesus first spoke of to Israel.

Life application: The events spoken by Jesus in Matthew 24 were spoken to Israel, under the law, and in anticipation of events in their history leading up to the kingdom age. Christ was not speaking to the Gentile-led church, and it is not until Acts 10 that it was even known that Gentiles would be a part of what was going on. And, not until the introduction of Paul was this mystery most fully understood (e.g., see Ephesians 3:1-7).

The events of Revelation that parallel the events of Matthew 24 are directed to Israel during the tribulation period, not to the church – which has been taken out at the rapture. In mixing dispensations, one will always (not sometimes, but always) have confused theology. There will be contradictions that are not resolvable because the events and theology for the various dispensations apply only to those dispensations.

All of Scripture is useful for the disciple of Christ to understand the redemptive narrative, but not all of Scripture is directed to everyone at all times. Have sound theology, keep things in context, and do not mix theology between dispensations. In this, you will do well, and your eschatology will be sound.

For example, in Acts 2, Peter speaks of the sun turning into darkness and the moon into blood. His words are quoting Joel chapter 2, and they are applied to Pentecost in the year of the resurrection of Jesus in a symbolic fashion, but this isn’t a full picture of what Peter was speaking about.

Instead, he was saying these things would come because of Jesus’ completed work, but not that they had necessarily come in their fullness at that time. The context of Peter’s words must be evaluated based on the original prophecy in Joel. Further, they must be evaluated based on who Peter was speaking to – the Jewish people only. Some of those events are future to us, even now, and they will be fully realized after the rapture of the church, in and through the people of Israel.

How great and wonderful You are, O God. You have given us a look into future events and what is coming upon the whole world. And, You have also given us the way to avoid being caught up in them – by calling on Jesus now. Help us to focus our thoughts, hearts, and minds on Jesus and to tell His message to others before that Day comes. Amen.

Friday, 27 November 2020

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 6:11

The words here still refer to those first mentioned in verse 6:9. They are those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they held. Their cry went forth asking when their blood would be avenged. In response, this verse is given, saying, “Then a white robe was given to each of them.”

The word for “robe” is stolé. It speaks of a long robe worn by the upper class in the Middle East. When seen, it reflected people of high station and wealth. It was also used as a special festal robe. Here, the white is signifying righteousness, and the style of robe is reflecting their high status because of their willingness to die for the truth of God in Christ.

In verse 4:4, the twenty-four elders were said to be clothed in white robes. Likewise, in verse 19:8, it says –

“And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

The general symbolism is found here, but with the note of the particular type of robe. This certainly highlights their martyrdom as worthy of special note. As Charles Ellicott says, “Persecuted on earth, they are honoured in heaven.” This particular type will be noted three times in Chapter 7, and once in Revelation 22:14 (depending on the source text used).

The sixth chapter of Revelation corresponds to the sixth letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet. The sixth letter, vav, pictures a tent peg, and it signifies “secure.” Here, the martyrs of the tribulation are given white robes, signifying the righteousness of Christ, and that they are eternally secure in Him.

After receiving their robes, John notes, “and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer.”

These words are given in response to their cry of the previous verse, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” The answer is for them to “…rest a little while longer.” It is a way of saying, “Let God unfold His plan accordingly. All will be made right, and in the meantime, rest.” In this, it isn’t just a rest from their cries, but a rest which is in peace and without any further cares. As Matthew Poole says, “That they should rest yet for a little season; that they should be satisfied, and acquiesce in God’s dispensations.”

And there is a reason for this. God does, in fact, have a set plan which is “until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” The word translated as “completed” is pléroó. It signifies filling to capacity. There is a set amount that will meet an end purpose, and until that amount is reached, the purpose has not been met. One could think of a scale weighing out gold. The target weight is 44 grams. Until that amount is met, the adding of grains is not fulfilled. So it is with God’s plans for the martyred of the tribulation period.

A concrete example of this type of addition is found in Romans –

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶ And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
²⁷ For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27

God’s dispensational model clearly reveals that He still has a plan and a purpose for Israel, but that plan includes Israel’s partial blindness until a set number of Gentiles has been filled up (pléróma). Likewise, Paul says –

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22

In Paul’s (and also Peter’s) words, it notes that believers are being built into a building. Having a building implies having someone who has planned that building. Every detail of a building is first laid out by an architect, even down to the last amount of wire, tile, or mortar. In this, God has a set plan, and that plan is being worked out in the stream of human existence. Until the details of that plan have been met, we are to patiently wait.

What is important to remember is that God is not indifferent to the slaying of His people. However, because they are His people, they will ultimately be with Him forever. As Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”

Because we are in physical bodies, it is our point of reference. We look to the flesh as that which is essential and of the highest value. But this is an error in thinking. Trusting in Christ as these martyrs did, even to death, does not mean the end. Rather, it is only a step to that which is truly life.

Life application: The granting of these garments has symbolism that reaches all the way back to Genesis 3:21 where “for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” This was done only after Adam demonstrated faith in the promise of a Redeemer to come.

By naming his wife “Eve,” he indicated his belief in the promises of God; Eve means “life.” This pattern continues without wavering throughout the Bible. Only when faith in God and His promises are made can anyone be clothed, or covered, by Him. This clothing then signifies that a right relationship with God has been restored. Before that time, a person is separated from Him because of his sins. However, when we demonstrate faith in God’s word, we move from a position of guilt to a state where we are free from guilt. In essence, God bestows upon us the righteousness of Jesus Christ, symbolized by the white robe.

Isaiah speaks of this blessed state –

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10

These martyrs of the tribulation period have demonstrated faith, even to the point of death, and they can now rest in the eternal security which is the reward of this faith.

For His people of Israel, Jesus spoke of this trial that would be faced during the tribulation –

“You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head shall be lost. ¹⁹ By your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:16-19

Obviously, if someone had been put to death and yet “not a hair of your head shall be lost,” then Jesus was speaking of the eternally secure state of these martyrs.

Despite the bloodbath of this horrific period, there is an appointed end to the death and destruction. God knows, in advance, how many will be martyred. When that number is complete, He will act by sending Jesus back to reign from His throne in Jerusalem. As this is so, and as these things are certain and known to God – in each dispensation of time – then why would we worry about the temporary trials and troubles we face? Let us trust God to deliver us from whatever trouble or trial we now experience. He is faithful and He will deliver. He is JESUS.

Lord God, in Your word, there are many passages about martyrdom for your people. And yet, they are – at the same time – words of comfort and assurance. You have promised that You have us safely in Your care, and that because of Jesus, we will receive the eternal inheritance of everlasting life. We can look to Your word and then to the future and have nothing to fear. You have everything under control. We are secure in Christ. Hallelujah and Amen.

Thursday, 26 November 2020

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?” Revelation 6:10

John begins the verse with, “And they cried with a loud voice.” This is referring to “the souls of those who had been slain” from the previous verse. They had held to the word of God, and they had kept their faithful testimony. Because of this, they were slain. In this, their souls cry out, “saying, How long.”

The Greek reads, “Until when.” It is as if with each succeeding person who is slain, there is another cry. “Surely, it must be time.” And then another soul is added, and the cry is, “Until when! Surely it must be time.” And another soul is added, and the cry repeats again. And the cry isn’t just one of personal woe that fades into vapor. Rather, they cry out, “O Lord, holy and true.”

Here, the term ho Despotēs ho hagios kai alēthinos, or the MASTER the HOLY and TRUE, is used. It is the last time that the term despotés, or “master,” is used in Scripture. It signifies an authority figure with complete jurisdiction and unrestricted power. There are no restraints or limitations on His authority. One can see the connection to the question “Until when?” As the Lord is completely sovereign, then He has a plan and has determined the scope of it, including every aspect. But the souls who are added to the number don’t know that plan, and so the question is made of the One who does know.

But more, in saying, “the HOLY and TRUE,” it is acknowledging these qualities define who He is, and therefore there must be a reason for the death of these souls. The Holy God would not otherwise allow His saints to be so destroyed, and the God who is True would not commit any falsity. As these are understood, those who have been slain are stuck in a mental conundrum, not able to understand the perceived disparity between the two.

To understand the sentiment, one needs to look no further than those who constantly await the return of the Lord today. We look around at the world at the continuously increasing immorality, and at the wickedness that is growing exponentially, and we think, “How Long, O Lord?” We cannot see how the God who is HOLY and TRUE can allow the perversion, murder, and immorality to continue. And yet, it does. Therefore, we feel there is a disconnect between what we are seeing and experiencing, and that which should happen. This is because we are not God, and we do not have all of the information He does. And so, we must trust.

For these slain, the question to the Master is, “until you judge and avenge our blood.” Here, we see that the cry is not specifically for personal vengeance, but for correcting that which is wrong. In Genesis 4:10, the Lord said to Cain –

“What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.”

Likewise, in 2 Chronicles 24:22, Zechariah cried out while being stoned –

“The Lord look on it, and repay!”

Abel was the first martyr of the Old Testament; Zechariah was the last. There is the understanding in both that an injustice had been committed, and the Lord was aware of it and was being called to right the wrong. The blood of these souls is calling out for the same. “Our blood has been shed, it was not in accord with Your moral state, and therefore judgment is due upon the offenders.”

In this, the cry is for the Avenger of their blood to take action to right the wrong. In the Old Testament, the term gaal was used in two ways. One was as a kinsman redeemer, and the other was as an avenger of blood. This was a next of kin who had a personal stake in either redeeming a near kin’s property or in avenging the death of the near kin. Christ fulfills both roles. He is our Redeemer, and He is our Avenger of blood. To understand this concept, one can watch or read the Ruth sermons from the Superior Word (Redeemer), and also the Numbers 35 sermons (Avenger of Blood). Together, a fuller understanding of what is occurring in this passage from Revelation will be obtained. With this in mind, the verse finishes with a request for judgment and avenging “on those who dwell on the earth?”

Here, the ungodly of the earth are being referred to. They hate the word of God, they hate the moral standard that has been set in the heart of men, and they hate those who hold to the faithful testimony of those things. They are set in contrast to those who have been martyred, and the call is for them to be judged.

As to who these souls are, there are various interpretations. Is it all of the faithful souls from Abel until the end? Is it only the Old Testament martyrs? Is it the martyrs since the inception of the church? And so on. The exact identification of them is less to be concerned over than the general precept. The blood of the saints is precious in the sight of the Lord. It calls out for justice, and it will be executed. The Lord is not slack in His judgments. Rather, He has a plan, and the faithful of the world are to accept that their short-term call for justice may not necessarily be in accord with the Lord’s long-term view of redemptive history.

But, to give a best analysis of who these are, each category can be considered. Is it the Old Testament martyrs? Probably not. Jesus said this to the leaders of Israel –

“Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ ⁵⁰ that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.” Luke 11:49-51

Is it those who are martyred during the church age? Probably not. Paul says that all of the dead in Christ, and those who are alive at the coming of Christ, will be taken at the rapture. Any who were martyred during the church age will be vindicated through Christ’s call to the church at the rapture. It is its own form of judgment upon the world.

Understanding this, and as the events of Revelation are focused on the tribulation period, this is more surely referring to those who are martyred during that period. They will be willing to give up their lives for the testimony of Christ. And there will be many of them, as is testified to in the coming chapters. But Christ will avenge their blood in due time.

Life application: The Lord is the Avenger of Blood. The avenger had the responsibility to take the life of the person who killed a near relative, willingly or by accident, but provisions were also set up to protect the person who killed unintentionally. However, when the murder was intentional, “The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death” (Numbers 35:19).

As noted, the gaal is the same term applied to the kinsman redeemer and the avenger of blood. Jesus is both to us because He is our nearest relative. The people, as it said in the previous verse, were martyrs – thus implying that they were God’s witnesses of Jesus Christ. They are saved believers, either anticipating the coming of Christ, or who proclaim that Christ has come (as noted above, surely the latter – tribulation saints). Because of this, they are to be avenged. Their cry of “How long?” is one also seen several times in the Old Testament.

Isaiah wanted to know how long he had to witness to the people of Israel. Zechariah asked the Lord how long He would withhold His mercy from Jerusalem and the other cities of Judah. And Daniel cried out to God wanting to know how long until the visions he was given would come to pass. The Lord is working on His own timetable and we must be patient as we wait on His plans.

These martyrs in Revelation call out to the Lord with a rare word that signifies a master with full and absolute authority. In this, they are recognizing Christ’s divine authority to judge. And He will. This verse is one that pleads for the people of the Lord to allow Him to conduct His affairs according to His wisdom. He will not let any wrong deed go unpunished, and He will work in the most effective manner to receive the full glory that He is due. He will also receive the greatest praises from His people when they see His effective hand of completing the redemptive narrative. He is all wise, and He is fully capable of completing the task set before Him. He is JESUS!

Lord Jesus, it is comforting to know that You are our Avenger and that You will surely judge any who come against us. It is also comforting to know that You are our closest relative, even closer than a brother. You are our glorious Kinsman Redeemer and You have paid the ransom price for our souls with Your own precious blood. Thank You, O Lord! Amen.

Wednesday, 25 November 2020

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. Revelation 6:9

The fifth of seven seals is broken and the resulting scene changes. The past four seals have released the four horsemen upon the earth for judgment. This verse now redirects John’s attention to the altar. As it says, “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar.”

The main question here concerns the identification of this altar. There are two possibilities from the Mosaic Covenant that might correspond to this altar – the brazen altar of sacrifice, or the golden altar of incense.

Almost all commentaries associate this with the brazen altar of sacrifice in the tabernacle. The reason for this is the next clause, “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain.” The fact that they are slain supposedly signifies a sacrifice, and thus these are martyrs symbolically sacrificed at the brazen altar.

This sounds plausible. Vincent’s Word Studies defines the words “souls” and “slain” to justify this –

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Souls (ψυχὰς)
Or lives. See on 3 John 1:2. He saw only blood, but blood and life were equivalent terms to the Hebrew.

Slain (ἐσφαγμένων)
See on Revelation 5:6. The law commanded that the blood of sacrificed animals should be poured out at the bottom of the altar of burnt-offering (Leviticus 4:7).

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Therefore, with such an analysis, it seems a convincing argument. This corresponds with almost all other commentaries as well. However, there is a problem with this. The sacrifices on the brazen altar pictured the coming work of Christ, not the martyrdom of saints. To understand this, the entire book of Leviticus has been preached on by the Superior Word. Be sure to start with Chapter 1 of those sermons and proceed through the entire series. Understanding the typology will bring an understanding of what is seen here in the final book of the Bible. Every sacrifice and every part of each sacrifice pictures Christ – His work and His cross in completion of that work.

Therefore, this is not speaking of the brazen altar that is an offering to God for sin. The altar of sacrifice was used for the transference of sin from a guilty person to an innocent animal (picturing the transfer of sin from fallen man to Christ on the cross). The blood of that animal (picturing Christ) was then poured out at the base of the altar. However, the people mentioned in this verse have already transferred their sins to the Lamb of God, Jesus.

As this is so, this altar pictures the golden altar of incense. There is no altar of sacrifice in this heavenly scene because Jesus has already cleansed His people. He is the fulfillment of the necessary sacrifices for their cleansing, and He is the fulfillment of the typology of the brazen altar.

The altar here is referred to in both Revelation 8 and 9 which describes the golden altar of incense. In the tabernacle, this altar was in the Holy Place, directly before the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place where the Ark was kept. At Jesus’ death, the veil (which was a representation of Christ’s body – Hebrews 10:20) was rent in two (Luke 23:45) signifying full access to God through His accomplished work. In this, access to God was restored. Therefore, the altar of incense mentioned here is directly in the throne room.

These people did not die for sins, but they rather died in Christ. As it says, they were “slain for the word of God.” This is the same expression used by John in Revelation 1:9. As noted then, it signifies receiving punishment because of the proclamation of the word of God.

These martyrs, the faithful disciples of Christ, proclaimed Scripture. It is this “word of God” that is deemed to be contrary to the values of those in power, and they therefore want to have it silenced. John finishes the verse with, “and for the testimony which they held.” Their testimony (in Greek marturia, the basis for our modern word “martyr”), based on the word of God, is the proclamation of Jesus Christ. In their refusal to deny Him, and in their willingness to continue to proclaim Him, they are martyred. John will continue to describe their state in the verses ahead.

Life application: When we get to Revelation 8:3, we will read, “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” The incense is “the prayers of the saints.” These saints have “been slain for the word of God.” In the psalms, it says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). The souls under this heavenly altar are eternally safe and their precious prayers are heard by the God who judges their death. He will avenge their shed blood.

Throughout the church age, people have been willing to die rather than deny Jesus. They have openly and boldly proclaimed Him. What are you willing to face for this great Creator and Redeemer who first died for you? Be prepared now to give all for Him. He is worthy of whatever you face. He is JESUS.

Lord, surely many faithful souls have been martyred over the centuries for their witness of Your wonderful work, but surely many more will die when the tribulation period starts, and when complete wickedness has taken over the world. But those who have died for the glorious name of Jesus are secure and will be secure. Their blood will be avenged. Hallelujah to the God who remembers His faithful saints! Amen.